Master of Arts in Psychology, General Psychology Specialization

Program Emphasis:

In the General Psychology Specialization, you will build a solid foundation of knowledge in the science of psychology, including psychometric theory, statistics and research methodology, human development, learning theory and behavior, and the biological, cognitive, emotional, and social bases of behavior. This non-practitioner degree is a good fit for you if you are looking for a program that will prepare you to pursue potential careers such as teaching Psychology at the community college level or becoming a researcher or technician.

Additionally, this program is well suited to those intending to progress into a doctoral program after gaining experience and education in psychological foundations and research methodologies in order to demonstrate the ability to succeed in graduate level work and in conducting graduate level research.

Courses:

Courses are listed in the proposed sequence. Your Student Advisor will help with scheduling your courses.

Courses

PSY 5003 Introduction to Applied & Professional Psychology (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of the roles, relationships, and responsibilities of individuals in the various specialties in applied and professional psychology. Attention is given to identifying those specialties for which licensure or certification is possible and/or available, those specialties that apply the principles of psychology to organizations and organizational problems, 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 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 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 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 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 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 5520 Cognitive & Affective Bases of Behavior (3 credits)

This course studies the science of the cognitive and affective bases of behavior. The course reviews the contributions of cognitive psychology and also studies the effect of emotion and motivation on behavior. Cognitive psychology emphasizes perception, attention, memory, reasoning, language, imagery, and problem solving. Affective psychology focuses on emotional arousal, motivation, attribution, and mood. Students are thoroughly acquainted with research and research methods in this area and also focus on how this information applies in clinical practice.

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 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 6290 Learning Theory & Behavioral Applications (3 credits)

This course surveys traditional areas of learning theory, including classical and instrumental conditioning paradigms, motivation, reinforcement variables, stimulus discrimination, generalization and transfer, habituation, and memory. Also reviewed are models of social learning theory, modeling, and behavioral rehearsal. Behavioral approaches to therapy that focus on modifying specific, observable behaviors, using the principles of learning theory such as systematic desensitization, cognitive-behavioral approaches, and dialectical behavioral therapy.

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.