Doctor of Psychology, Non-Profit Management Specialization
Summary:
Become an expert in designing and evaluating research in organizations according to evidence-based methods and principles of psychological research in non-profit organizations when you pursue your Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Non-Profit Management Specialization degree. By integrating the theories and applications of psychology with elements of business and management, you will acquire a unique background to enhance your employment options. Pursue this degree at University of the Rockies' campus located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Program Emphasis:
This program will prepare you to evaluate the impact of social and cultural diversity in non-profit organizations, including their missions, governance, and operations. Your coursework will allow you to assess, evaluate and design non-profit organizations' performance, structure, and development as well as give you the ability to apply concepts, demonstrate skills, and evaluate initiatives that are fundamental to the ethical practice of organizational psychology. Your success in this specialization will result in the ability to explain the complexity of organizational systems and functions as an effective change agent through evidence-based application of psychological research in organizations while also being able to anticipate the impact of developmental progresses, strategic initiatives, and change processes in non-profit organizations.
Your Doctor of Psychology program provides a deeper psychological foundation and a broader emphasis in the same areas and for the same career goals as the Master of Arts curriculum. This program includes a more extensive research component and broader applications of a more in-depth knowledge through both coursework and required, supervised practice. The Doctor of Psychology further enriches your preparation in research and in the field through the process of proposing, writing, and defending a dissertation. You should seek this degree if you are interested in pursuing a career in applying the principles of the psychology of human performance to improving the design, development, governance, structure, and operation of non-profit organizations, including educational, scientific and charitable organizations, non-governmental agencies, and other non-profit organizations and institutions.
Degree Completion Requirements:
The following steps must be fulfilled in order to complete the degree:
- Successful completion of 62-68 credits
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Successful defense of the Dissertation
- Submission of Petition to Graduate form and applicable fees
You may transfer up to 12 semester hours of post-master's coursework towards Doctor of Psychology program requirements if earned at the doctoral level and equivalent to University of the Rockies required courses.
Program Outline:
Take advantage of the flexible course offerings, as follows:
- Evening and/or weekend courses are offered
- Evening courses meet for four hours one night per week over a 9- week term
- Weekend courses meet on three weekends over the 9-week term from Friday at 12:00 noon through Sunday at 1:30 PM
- The typical course load is two courses per term
- Courses are listed in the recommended sequence
Courses:
ORG 5001 Survey of Psychology I (3 credits)*
This course is a survey course developed to assist students with degrees in areas other than psychology to become prepared for graduate study in psychology. Survey I covers an introduction to research, basic psychotherapeutic concepts, cognitive development, sexual development and issues, child issues, family therapy and other therapies, learning and memory and ethics. This course is the first of two survey courses in this preparation process.
ORG 5002 Survey of Psychology II (3 credits)*
This course is the second of two survey courses. This course covers a brief history of psychology, psychoanalytic theories of personality as well as other personality theories, human motives and social motives, psychological therapies and questions about psychotherapy, intelligence measurement, personality traits and their measurement, social relation in groups, stress, health and illness and mind, self and well being. Prerequisite: ORG 5001.
ORG 7509 History & Systems 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.
ORG 7510 Biological 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.
ORG 7600 Family Systems (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.
ORG 7210 Adult Psychopathology & Treatment I (3 credits)
This course focuses on the etiology and diagnosis of adult psychopathological disorders. Students develop skills in case conceptualization and addressing adult disorders, and differential diagnosis. Benefits and limitations of the diagnostic process are reviewed.
ORG 7260 Adult Psychopathology & Treatment II (3 credits)
This course examines the methods and techniques employed to assist adult clients in the change process with specific reference to problem diagnosis, case conceptualization, and construction of a systematic treatment plan, emerging treatment revision, assessment of outcome, termination, and ethical issues in the treatment process. While placing treatment within a theoretical context, the real emphasis in this course is on treatment techniques aimed at symptom and problem reduction. Prerequisite: ORG 7210 or equivalent.
ORG 7270 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. Prerequisites: ORG 7210 and ORG 7260, or equivalent.
ORG 7300 Advanced Seminar: Statistics & Psychometrics in Organizations (3 credits)
This course emphasizes the application of statistical concepts related to distributions and methods applicable in organizational leadership. The approach emphasizes quantitative approaches, and analysis and synthesis of research findings based upon statistical inference. Topics include sampling theory applied to organizational research, univariate and multivariate analysis of data sets collected within and about organizations. Various statistical tools and methods include analysis of variance, covariance, linear regression, multiple regression, and meta analysis. Emphasis is placed upon critique and analysis of data collected in organizations, including published articles and the methods applied in those publications.
ORG 7400 Research Design & Methods - Quantitative (3 credits)
This course extends a student's knowledge of the principles and procedures involved in complex behavioral sciences research. The goal is to provide the student with an educational experience that allows him or her to become an informed consumer of scholarly psychological research. The course also prepares the student to conduct advanced research. Topics include philosophy of science, advanced research methods, and analysis of variance. Prerequisite: ORG 7300.
ORG 7410 Research Design and Methods - Qualitative (3 credits)
Readings and exercises in this course emphasize design, analysis, and research concepts most appropriate to investigating intangibles and common data in psychological modeling. Techniques of methodological design related to observational, evaluative, systemic, psycho-historical, phenomenological, heuristic, mythic, and case methods are emphasized. Other course topics include data collection, reliability, validity, data summary and analysis, data reporting, influences on response rate, techniques of survey sampling (mail, questionnaire, and telephone surveys), and semi-structured interview schedules. Research issues of protection of human subjects, privacy, and confidentiality are also addressed. Students are supervised and share experiences gained while preparing to develop, administer, and analyze qualitative research projects. Emphasis is placed on the role that qualitative methodologies play in the world of research.
ORG 7100 Assessment - Objective Personality (3 credits)
This course involves the study of the theory and practice of objective personality assessment. The course focuses on how objective personality assessment is used to provide information in educational, psychiatric, industrial, and medical practice. Primary emphasis is on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - 2nd Edition, and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory - 3rd Edition. Secondary emphasis is on the Personality Assessment Inventory and tests of normal personality functioning. In addition, the student gains familiarity with numerous scales and inventories used to measure functioning in educational, industrial, and psychiatric practice.
HUM 7200 Governance & Finance in Non-Profit Organizations (3 credits)
This advanced course explores issues and best practices in the governance of non-profit organizations with an emphasis on the relationship between mission, financial management, and governance. Topics include balancing long-term financial stability with short-term mission focus, governance and financial controls, budgeting, income forecasting, program priorities, and staff compensation.
ORG 7500 Diversity in the Workplace (3 credits)
This course is a systematic study of multicultural issues in the workplace, emphasizing respect for diversity of people and families, particularly with regard to matters of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and sexual orientation. Specific ethnic groups are studied in regard to family relations and cultural impacts on workplace behaviors. Attention is given to ethnocentrism and racism in society and traditional culture-bound organizational human resources approaches. Through this course, students better understand themselves (including expectations and biases toward others based on their ethnic families of origin. Positive and negative feelings about ethnicity are also explored.
ORG 8522 Transformational Leadership, Coaching Top Level Executives (3 credits)
Many major companies have made coaching and leadership development a core part of executive development. This course takes the next step in examining the theories of leadership with emphasis on linking theory and practice to create effective organizational leaders.
ORG 8532 Advanced Seminar: The Leader as Coach (3 credits)
This advanced graduate seminar explores models and techniques for organizational leaders to apply in coaching others in their organization, especially direct reports and others they influence in matrixed organizations. Prerequisite: 30 semester hours of graduate work in organizational leadership, clinical or counseling psychology, or the equivalent.
HUM 8519 Advanced Seminar: Ethical Issues in Non-Profit Management (3 credits)
This advanced seminar examines enduring issues in business and professional ethics and applying proven approaches to ethical professional practice and organizational operations in contemporary non-profit organizations. Topics will include social responsibility of for-profit organizations in support of non-profit organizations, program operating budgets vs. long-term financial stability, and ethical concerns related to governance and program priorities.
HUM 8060 The Non-Profit Executive as Fund Raiser (3 credits)
This advanced seminar examines all recognized methods of fund raising, forecasting fund raising income, and balancing administrative and fundraising expenses in the short term with longer term programmatic and mission goals. Topics include direct mail, planned giving, special gifts, corporate giving, and foundation grant writing.
HUM 8070 Advanced Seminar: Volunteers & Non-Profit Governance (3 credits)
Non-profit organizations, and their governance, depend heavily on sound working relationships among staff, especially executive staff, volunteer officers, and board members. This course explores common issues and concerns related to this governance, especially succession planning, assessing the ability of potential leaders, executive development, and engaging volunteers during and between board meetings.
ORG 8966-8970 Organizational Practicum I-V (6 credits)
Students obtain direct organizational experience during one or more organizational consulting opportunities. Each student has a University of the Rockies practicum supervisor as well as an on-site supervisor. Students have the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles related to their chosen specialization. They also have the opportunity to work with a variety of leadership styles and organizational cultures as part of their practicum experience. Students locate practicum sites based on their particular interests with the support of the OL faculty and Dean. Students must complete each term or practicum before registering for the subsequent term.
ORG 8990 Dissertation (5 credits)
Students writing a dissertation must complete a total of 5 credits by registering for five consecutive terms of dissertation credit, one credit per term. Students may not register for dissertation credit until they have completed all other course work including their practicum. Dissertations are written per the policies, practices and procedures in the Dissertation Handbook.
Total credits 62-68
* Students entering the program without a Bachelor's or Master's degree in psychology or a related field are required to successfully complete ORG 5001 Survey of Psychology I (3 credits) and ORG 5002 Survey of Psychology II (3 credits) as part of the program. These two courses are designed to prepare students for the remainder of the program.
