Master of Arts in Psychology, Mental Health Counseling Specialization

PSY 5000 Introduction to Professional Psychology (1 credit)

This course provides an overview of the roles, relationships, and responsibilities of individuals in the various specialties in applied and professional psychology. Particular attention is given to identifying those specialties for which licensing is required/available, and the distinction between experimental/theoretical psychology and applied/professional psychology.

PSY 5130 Life Span Development (3 credits)

This course surveys the major theoretical perspectives on life span development from conception through late adulthood. Developmental processes related to physical, cognitive, moral, and emotional functions are reviewed as well as societal and cultural aspects of development.

PSY 5330 History of Psychology (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the theoretical systems, methods of inquiry, and terminologies associated with the history of psychology. The course is grounded in a broad historical understanding that builds a framework for understanding the contemporary field of psychology. The focus is on the major systems of Associationism, Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviorism, Gestalt, Psychodynamic, and Existential/Humanistic.

PSY 5230 Relational & Contextual Factors in Psychology (1 credit)

This course includes reviews and study of contemporary literature involving the roles and impacts of relationships and situational variables in behavior and behavior change, particularly in therapeutic relationships.

PSY 5280 Ethics, Laws & Standards of Professional Practice (3 credits)*

This course is a study of the ethical and legal issues confronting those practicing in human services. Topics related to clinical methodology, standards of practice, and inter-professional relations are explored. Students learn principles of ethical decision making, standards for human and animal use in research, and standards of care specified by state and federal laws. Emphasis is placed on exploration of the emotional impact that major ethical and legal dilemmas have on decision making. Students also master the current code of ethics of the American Psychological Association and other professional codes of ethics, such as the code of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy or the code of the American Counseling Association. This course must be taken at University of the Rockies and may not be transferred from another institution.

PSY 5290 Theories & Techniques of Counseling & Psychotherapy (3 credits)

This course is an overview of the psychodynamic, cognitive/behavioral, and existential/humanistic schools of psychology, as well as corresponding models of counseling and frequently used assessment and therapeutic techniques. The primary focus in the course is on the development of both skills and rationale in the application of intervention strategies to treatment and case management.

PSY 5400 Statistics & Research Design (3 credits)

This course emphasizes statistical concepts related to distributions and methods most appropriate to data and theories in psychology. The focus is on a quantitative approach to the concepts and methods of statistical inference. Topics include sampling, frequency distributions, estimation, and testing. Statistical techniques in analysis and interpretation of experimental data include estimation and testing, analysis of variance, experimental designs, linear regression, and correlation. Various statistical models are discussed including analyses of variance, covariance, and multiple regression; non-parametric statistics; components of variance; and designs and analyses for multi-factor experiments. Emphasis is placed on the role quantitative methodologies play in the quest to discover what the world is like.

PSY 6501 Psychology of Personality (3 credits)

This course explores the major theories of personality including Psychodynamic, Behavioral, Biological, Cognitive, Trait-Factor, and Humanistic/Existential approaches. Students study individual theories and compare and contrast these theoretical positions in terms of current research. In addition, students explore the relevance and application of personality theories to the profession of psychology.

PSY 6851 Counseling Practicum (1 credit)

Students gain direct supervised clinical experience providing counseling services to individuals, couples or groups. 100 contact hours of client service are required for each credit hour.

PSY 5410 Physiological Bases of Behavior (3 credits)

This course is designed to provide the student with a foundation of human physiology including the nervous, hormonal, reproductive, and sensory systems, and the attendant functions of digestion, sleep, learning and memory, emotion and other human biological functions. The course provides an essential knowledge base for most other offerings in the field of psychology.

PSY 5420 Principles of Social Psychology (3 credits)

This course provides an introduction and overview of the principles and theories of social psychology. The course includes exploration of behavior in groups, group impacts on individual behavior and the ways in which organizational rules and norms impact behavior. Constructs of social psychology, including social influence, social thinking, and attitude formation are covered and related to sociological and psychological research.

PSY 6852 Counseling Practicum (1 credit)

Students gain direct supervised clinical experience providing counseling services to individuals, couples or groups. 100 contact hours of client service are required for each credit hour.

PSY 5530 Cultural Diversity & Individual Differences (3 credits)

This course provides a systematic review of the wide range of cultures and individual differences and the ways in which cultural mores, ethnocentrism, and factors such as matters of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, customs and cultures impact behavior of the individual themselves and of those around them. Through this course, students better understand themselves and others, in terms of perceptions and behaviors.

PSY 6210 Survey of Psychopathology (3 credits)

This course includes an examination of DSM criteria for each disorder listed, differential diagnoses, and etiological theories as revealed in the most recent research in the field. Students become acquainted with the most efficacious treatment options and have an opportunity to review and analyze the techniques that lead to successful outcomes with clients.

PSY 6853 Counseling Practicum (1 credit)

Students gain direct supervised clinical experience providing counseling services to individuals, couples or groups. 100 contact hours of client service are required for each credit hour.

PSY 5610 Psychometrics: Tests & Measurements (3 credits)

This course involves the study of the theory and practice of psychological measurement. The focus is on the process of measuring and differentiating variables of psychological interest. Students explore basic concepts of measurement and the principles of test construction. The course familiarizes the prospective professional psychologist with the common tests used in psychological and educational practice. These include intellectual, aptitude, and achievement tests; interest inventories; personality tests; and social measures.

PSY 6160 Family Systems & Dynamics (3 credits)

This course is an introduction to the systems approach to intervention with families. It includes a historical perspective on family theory development. The focus is on obtaining knowledge and theory about the nuclear family in traditional and alternative forms. Normal family patterns of interaction, family life cycle, family of origin, family subsystems, and societal influence are explored. Contemporary issues and outcome research literature are reviewed. This course serves as a knowledge base for further study of assessment, treatment, and intervention with families.

PSY 6854 Counseling Practicum (1 credit)

Students gain direct supervised clinical experience providing counseling services to individuals, couples or groups. 100 contact hours of client service are required for each credit hour.

PSY 5620 Professional Issues in Counseling (1 credit)

The focus of this course is the knowledge base and skills necessary to function as a professional counselor. Pertinent information regarding professional counseling practice, history of the discipline, licensing, and relationships with other professional service providers is included.

PSY 6855 Counseling Practicum (1 credit)

Students gain direct supervised clinical experience providing counseling services to individuals, couples or groups. 100 contact hours of client service are required for each credit hour.

Elective (3 credits)

PSY 6120 Lifestyle & Career Development (3 credits)

This assessment course focuses on the evolution of the concept of career development. Students review the major theories and their application to the collection, evaluation, and use of career information for counseling psychology as it applies to individuals and groups across the adult life span. Students also learn to use assessment instruments (MBTI, FIRO-B, Strong, etc.) and integrate the findings in vocational counseling situations as they relate to adults.

PSY 6856 Counseling Practicum (1 credit)

Students gain direct supervised clinical experience providing counseling services to individuals, couples or groups. 100 contact hours of client service are required for each credit hour.

Elective (3 credits)

Elective (3 credits)

PSY 6470 Theories & Techniques of Group Counseling & Psychotherapy (3 credits)

This course is a study of the history, theory, and practice of group counseling and psychotherapy. Several major contemporary models of group counseling are examined. Instructional methods include both didactic presentations and experiential methods. Students are afforded the opportunity to participate in a training group as a group member and as a leader. A strong emphasis is placed on ethical standards and self-assessment of personal strengths and weaknesses that affect group leadership.

PSY 6857 Counseling Practicum (1 credit)

Students gain direct supervised clinical experience providing counseling services to individuals, couples or groups. 100 contact hours of client service are required for each credit hour.

Comprehensive Exam

Choose From the Following Electives:

PSY 6230 Treatment of Family Violence (3 credits)

This course explores the major personal and social theories of family violence, including elder abuse. The course focuses on severe marital conflicts, rape, and physical and emotional violence. The cycle of family violence is examined with emphasis on societal factors that contribute to this behavior. Students explore causality and treatment alternatives for victims and perpetrators as well as current research findings in the field.

PSY 6580 Human Sexuality & Sexual Disorders (3 credits)

This course focuses on the sexual response cycle, sexual identity, and the treatment of sexual disorders in clinical practice. The primary emphasis is on the way in which a disturbance in the processes of the sexual response cycle (desire/excitement/orgasm/resolution) leads to sexual dysfunction. The student also becomes familiar with the paraphilias and gender identity disorders.

PSY 6600 Theories & Techniques of Marriage & Family Therapy I (3 credits)

This course is a didactic integration designed to introduce the student to the foundations of marriage and family therapy. It provides an overview of the major theoretical approaches to marriage and family therapy. Assessment techniques and intervention strategies are presented for all of the schools of thought, with an emphasis on intergenerational, communication, experiential, structural, and behavioral approaches.

PSY 6820 Treatment of Children & Adolescents (3 credits)

This course examines effective treatment modalities for at risk populations of children and adolescents. Intervention strategies to support the child within the school, community, and family system are discussed and demonstrated through case studies and video vignettes. The course targets a variety of disorders, the most notable of which are ADD, ADHD, Autism, PDD, Asperger's, Tourette's, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Phobias, NARD, OCD, Fragile X Syndrome, and other genetic disorders.

PSY 6140 Assessment of Children & Adolescents (3 credits)

This course involves the study of the theory and practice of behavioral and diagnostic assessment of children and adolescents. The course focus is on how behavioral assessment is used to provide information in educational, psychiatric, and neurological practice. Primary emphasis is on adaptive behavior, anxiety, depression, trauma, and learning problems associated with children and adolescents. The student gains familiarity with numerous evaluation instruments and techniques used with children with behavioral, emotional, and learning problems.