ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTVÊÓƵ

This course provides a comprehensive examination of the science of social psychology as well as how it is applied to manage and aid the understanding of contemporary social issues. Topics include social quandaries encountered in the fields of mental and physical health, the workplace, the education system, and the legal system. Students will study seminal theories and research that informs the practical application of social psychology to real-life situations. Students will also apply social psychology theory and research to explain current social issues.

This course provides an overview of the basic concepts and principles of the major theories of personality. The importance of the interaction between environment and genetics will be stressed. Cultural influences as well as personality disorders will be considered. Students will be challenged to begin to build their own construct of personality development by synthesizing existing theories and research.

This course introduces students to multiple dimensions of learning and cognition, emphasizing their usage in daily life. Students will analyze behavioral and cognitive theories and topics including attention, perception, memory, problem solving, decision making, language acquisition, emotion, artificial intelligence, epistemology, diversity, culture, ethics, and society. The course uses an eclectic set of peer-reviewed articles and related materials to present key theories, discoveries, dilemmas, and applications. The course helps students build scholarly and personal leadership skills by providing opportunities to propose evidence-based improvements to personal, professional, and social life, while promoting meta-cognition, self-efficacy, empathy, ethics, and grounding topics in learning and cognition on human needs.

Students will explore the biological bases of human behavior, cognition, and emotion while learning how to apply biological theory and research to psychology and daily life. Students will discuss relationships between nervous system anatomy, neuronal communication, and biopsychological research methods with topics including sensation, perception, movement, emotions, learning and memory, language, drug effects, psychological disorders, and neurological diseases.  Course activities include options for students to complete standard assignments or explore specific topics of their choice. Prerequisites: PSY 600, PSY 605, PSY 610, PSY 615 and PSY 620.

The course emphasizes neural physiology, neurotransmitter systems, and the neurotransmitter-receptor mechanisms that underlie the efficacy and side effects of psychoactive and illicit drugs. In addition, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomic processes will be reviewed as they relate to clinical treatment and abuse. Methods of researching psychoactive agents of treatment and abuse, historical, and ethical considerations will also be addressed. Prerequisite: PSY 625

This course presents the concepts of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research designs and methods, as well as issues involved in the ethical conduct of research. Students will be challenged to select appropriate research designs and methodologies for various research questions. The course will culminate in a detailed research proposal on topics chosen by the students.

This course provides an overview of evidence- and research-based approaches to assessment in occupational and consumer settings. Students will assess psychometric properties of existing measures and apply psychological principles to guide decision-making and address employee and customer problems while emphasizing ethical uses and limitations of psychological tests. Students will apply knowledge of the principles of assessment and present challenges and solutions in the use of these measures in a variety of settings. Prerequisite: PSY 635

This course introduces students to the scientific study of psychological symptoms and disorders. Students will draw from theoretical and historical perspectives to build their understanding of diagnostic methods and evidence-based treatment methods for psychological disorders. Additionally, students will examine sociocultural factors that impact presentation, maintenance, and treatment of psychopathological symptoms and the use of diagnostic manuals in applying diagnostic criteria.

Students will examine models of health, stress, and wellbeing and evaluate their applications in diverse community and occupational settings, with attention to disparities and inequities that serve as barriers to health and wellbeing. Students will explore evidence-based behavioral change and health communication strategies to promote equitable access and information-sharing in their communities and workplaces. Prerequisite: PSY 645.

The capstone course is the culminating educational experience for the Master of Arts in Psychology. In this course, students will integrate and apply what they have learned throughout the program to meet competencies as outlined in the program learning outcomes. Students will be exposed to a holistic view of psychology as a discipline, and they will be encouraged to think critically about the broader themes that link various subfields of psychology. Students will reflect on the experience of the program as a whole and will consider how the program’s themes apply to a variety of civic and professional settings. The capstone affords students a final opportunity to practice and demonstrate the skills they will need to succeed after graduation.