Course Descriptions

For more information about these courses, please see the Graduate Catalog or contact a faculty member.

This course is designed for graduate students who require an advanced knowledge of psychological disorders and their diagnosis.  Course content includes an overview  of the symptoms, etiology, and treatment alternatives for major psychological disorders.  The emphasis includes both an overview of research based knowledge and practical application of the current diagnostic system.

This course is the first of a two-course sequence for graduate students who require an advanced knowledge of psychological assessment. Course content includes an overview of interviewing, behavioral observations, and personality tests used in clinical practice. The emphasis includes both an overview of research-based knowledge and practical application of assessment techniques through supervised lab experience.

This course is the second of a two-course sequence designed for graduate students who require an advanced knowledge of psychological assessment. Course content includes an overview of tests and measures used in clinical practice, particularly those used in the assessment of intelligence, achievement, adaptive behavior, and child evaluation. The emphasis includes both an overview of research-based knowledge and practical application of assessment techniques through supervised lab experience.

This course will examine the research on psychological factors associated with the development and/or progression of illness, as well as psychological and social factors in health promotion. Topics include cognitive and social representation of health and illness, stress and coping, factors and interventions for behavioral change and the development of healthy lifestyles, and the treatment of psychological and behavioral risk factors for illness.

An introduction to the variety of assessment and intervention procedures used by health psychologists in medical settings; issues in medical consultation and liaison. Techniques discussed fall in areas such as stress management, smoking cessation, weight management, and the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. The theoretical, conceptual, and empirical bases of intervention will be stressed.

Advanced study of the anatomical, physiological, and chemical correlates of behavior and mental processes, including the relationships among brain and body function/structure (neurochemistry, histology, anatomy), psychological variables (motor behavior, motivation, emotion, perception, learning, memory), health, and mental and physical illness. Integrates experimental and clinical research methodologies.

This course assumes a basic background in statistics and methodology and builds from there, with special emphasis on methodological issues and statistical techniques appropriate to Health Psychology.  Computer skills related to statistical packages, databases, etc., will be stressed.  Specific methods and analyses include multiple regression, ANOVA, ANCOVA, MANOVA, factor analysis, power, validity, experimental design, placebo effects, and random sampling.

As a continuation of Psyc 582, this course assumed a more advanced background in statistics and methodology. The course focuses on methodological issues and statistical techniques appropriate to Health Psychology. Computer skills related to statistical packages and databases will be stressed. Specific methods and analyses include survey research, program evaluation, epidemiological research, qualitative research, MANCOVA, multiple regression, logistic regression, cluster analysis, and meta-analysis.

Provides graduate psychology students with current information and decision making strategies on professional and ethical issues associated with service delivery, research, and teaching.

The Practicum in Clinical Health Psychology offers students supervised clinical experience in a variety of clinical health and human service settings. The practicum is designed for students in the MS in Psychology: Specialization in Clinical Health Psychology program who have completed all coursework related to clinical diagnoses, assessment and therapy. Written permission of instructor or Program Director required.

A list of approved electives are provided each semester. Go to the Current Students link for more information.

Psyc 592: Individual Research (3-6 credits)

No more than 6 hours may be counted toward the MS in Psychology: Specialization in Clinical Health Psychology degree. students will undertake individual research under the direction of a member of the staff. The students, in electing, should indicate the staff member with whom the work has been arranged. Additional reading assignments or projects will distinguish this course from its undergraduate version Psyc 492.

Students electing the Thesis option in the last stage of the MS in Psychology program will work under the general supervision of a member of the graduate faculty in the Behavioral Sciences Department but will plan and carry out the work independently. A prospectus for the thesis must be approved by the Master of Science in Psychology program director before the student registers for the course. The student will submit a report on the thesis and give an oral presentation to a panel of faculty members when the thesis is completed.