Independent reading and/or research under the supervision of a psychology faculty member. Refer to the academic policy section for independent study policy. An independent study contract is required. May be repeated for credit.
Students will engage in mentored research with a faculty member in the department. Students may either serve as a research assistant for a project conducted by the faculty mentor or carry out a project of their own design. Responsibilities may include conducting a literature review, developing a research proposal, designing study materials, data collection and analysis, or preparing research for presentation or publication. Students will also be required to meet regularly with the faculty mentor. Prerequisite: 330. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher.
In the capstone course, students reflect on their learning in their major and identify their future goals. Students prepare a formal report in APA style of their internship, practicum, or advanced research experience, and present it to a scholarly audience. Students also explore career and graduate study options, and develop materials (e.g., C.V., cover letter) to assist them in their search for employment or graduate school opportunities. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher. Prerequisite: 487 or 489.
This course introduces students to a range of behavior disorders including anxiety disorders, depressive and bipolar disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, substance-related disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and personality disorders.
Health psychology is an exciting interdisciplinary field of study that explores the complex bi-directional relationship between psychological and physical health. This course examines the interactions between chronic medical conditions and psychological factors, such as stress, psychological states, and personality. Students will also learn about strategies for coping with stress and improving health and well-being, as well as the benefits of stress. Prerequisite: 171.
Considering the increasing diversity of the United States and a more interconnected world, this course has two aims. First, this course provides students with an understanding of why fostering belonging is necessary to create healthy and thriving diverse communities. Second, this course provides students with an understanding of how to create communities of belonging. Through a multidisciplinary lens, we will explore and discuss when, why, and how race was invented.
Psychological Testing explores the history, theory, and methods of measuring human behavior. Students will receive exposure to a variety of representative tests of intelligence, personality, neuropsychological functioning, and more. Strongly recommended for students interested in counseling, clinical, and industrial organization psychology. Prerequisite: 171. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher.
Although psychology historically focused on negative aspects of life (psychopathology, retardation and aggression), Positive Psychology focuses on the more positive (mental health, creativity and pro-social behavior). Topics in this course will also include happiness, humor, human strengths, flow, peace, resilience, optimism, empathy and altruism, love and companionship, and relaxation and mindfulness. Emphasis will be on both scientific findings and the application of those findings in ones personal life. The course will include a significant self-change project.
An overview of various family forms, the family life cycle, and healthy family functioning will be provided, followed by a review of the major theories of systemic family therapy. Basic family therapy process and outcome research will be reviewed. The code of ethics will be applied to clinical ethical dilemmas. A role play format will be used to practice basic therapy counseling skills. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher.
This course provides an overview of the major theories in the field of counseling and the historical perspectives and philosophies upon which they are based. This includes supervised laboratory experience with role-playing practice to understand the client and counselor roles in treatment strategies and techniques used in psychotherapy. Prerequisites: 270 or concurrent.