This course focuses on historical, theoretical, and practical aspects of the counseling psychology field. Students will write a research paper, using the American Psychological Association Publication Manual and library resources commonly used by counseling psychologists. The course will also introduce students to the theory and practice of basic counseling skills.

This course addresses biological aspects of human psychology, including the biological basis of neurological deficits and mental disorders, and the use of psychotropic medications for treating mental illnesses. Topics also include stress and health, mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, and contemporary issues in biological psychology.

This course addresses concepts of instrumental and classical conditioning. Topics include concepts relevant to behavior formation and maintenance, application of conditioning techniques to counseling sessions, research data on learning techniques, and effective and cognitive elements of learning theories. This course also emphasizes ways to improve clients' self-change abilities.

This course provides a basic review of descriptive and inferential statistics and how these techniques are used with research methods appropriate for counseling psychology. Students will become proficient in computer analysis of data sets, designing and evaluating research designs and techniques, and having the skills to understand primary research in counseling literature.

This course addresses issues of culture and identity, as related to counseling and therapeutic relationships. Sociopolitical, socioeconomic, familial, and psychological aspects of diversity, identity, and culture are explored through readings, seminars, and experiential exercises. Students challenge underlying assumptions and develop effective skills to work with diverse populations in counseling.

This course addresses the issues involved in the lifelong process of vocational development, through exploration of theories and assessment approaches in career counseling. Additional topics addressed include self-awareness, career awareness and assessment, career decision making and planning, and career implementation.

This course explores cognitive, social, emotional, and physiological development throughout the life span. While including concentration on the major theoretical approaches to life span development, an equally significant focus will be on practical application of material.

The course provides an overview of concepts of mental health and its development and of the etiologies of psychopathology, from a culturally sensitive perspective. Students learn to recognize the complex biological and environmental contributors to mental illness, and to evaluate effective treatment approaches for mental illness.

This course covers the basics of psychological assessment. The importance of integrating information from various sources when formulating hypothesis and diagnostic impressions and when developing treatment plans is emphasized. Other topics include interviewing, mental stuatus examinations, psycho-physiological strategies, psychological tests related to various diagnostic groupings, and program evaluation.

This course explored a variety of counseling theories and techniques to provide a foundation for the practice of professional counseling from a culturally sensitive perspective. The course emphasizes current professional research and practice related to counseling theories and techniques, and provides opportunities for skill practice.

This couse studies the theory and practice of group experience from the perspectives of a member and observer. Topics include basic elements of groupdynamics, interpersonal styles as they affect or hinder group functioning, role identity, leadership style, and application of group skills in organization.

This course will focuses on the evaluation and treatment of psychological symptoms from the perspective of the family and systems theory. The history and evolution of the family movement will be presented, and multiple family therapy modalities introduced, with an emphasis on selected theories and applications of the theories. Pre-requisite: PSY662

This course explores ethical conceptualization, analysis, and practices of applied and counseling psychologists. Topics include the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association and the American Counseling Association, the history of apllied psychology, and the delveoping mental health counsel movement. Certification, licensure, and regulatory practices are discussed.

An entry-level fieldwork course in which students obtain supervised counseling experience. They work directly under the supervision of a qualified professional and obtain experience interviewing clients and conducting sessions in group and individual formats.

This course is a supervised field placement experience focusing on integration of theory and practice. The course requires attendance at a weekly seminar on campus, which involves presentations focusing predominantly on assessment, diagnosis, and case conceptualization. Pre-requisite: PSY682

This course enhances students' abilities to effectively offer mental health treatment and services to clients. Activities include discussion of issues in contemporary counseling psychology and treatment planning, formal case presentations, and completion of the graduate portfolio. Pre-Requisite: psy682

Additional Electives Available for eligibility for LPC*
*A total of 60 credit hours is needed to become a licensed professional counselor in PA. Students may take 12 or more credit hours of electives in order to become eligible for the LPC in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The electives may be taken as a specific concentration (Infant Mental Health or Sport and Exercise Psychology) or as a Self-Designed concentration.
Each elective below is 3 credit hours:

This course draws from current research to examine biological, psychological, and social aspects of sexuality. In addition, issues relating to sexuality for parents and educational and counseling professionals will be addressed.

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic concepts and intervention techniques of sport and exercise psychology. Topics covered will include motivation theory applied to sport, team dynamics, an introduction to psychological skills training, the psychology of sport injury, and issues pertinent to exercise adoption, adherence, and drop-out.

Students in this course will become competent in the understanding and application of the core mental skills of sport and exercise psychology across the lifespan.

This course focuses on research and the professional practice of psychology in an athletic or exercise setting. Issues of credentialing, certification, and licensure will be presented. Further, pertinent ethical issues will be examined. Students in this course will develop a research project that involves conceptualizing a problem statement and designing a study to address the question.

The course explores the relationships between humans and their environments, both natural and human-made. Topics cover both how humnas are affected by their environments, as well as impacts humans have on their environments. Applications for human health and well-being will also be discussed.

Students will explore how psychological processes influence physical health. Further, the psychological sequellae of physical illness will be examined, Students will delve into the mind-body connection with consideration gived to the cultural context. The role of the counseling psychologists as a member of the healthcare team will be explored.

This course addresses a variety of of addiction topics, including chemical dependency, eating disorders, sexual addiction, the chemically dependant offender, and women's issues in addiction. Several treatment models are explored, with emphases on effectiveness of treatment approaches and on multicultural sensitivity.

This course is an introduction to the field of psychological trauma, examining the historical development of trauma as a clinical entity and and overview of theories and strategies for treating trauma. Student will learn to identify and work with their own reactions to clients who present trauma issues.

This class explores the use of various expressive art modalities and theoretical approaches, including Eastern traditions, Jungian psychology, and other sources. The student will participate in experiential exercises to further understanding of the expressive arts theories and applications.

This course explores mindfulness and acceptance based approaches to counseling and discusses the integration of art and science when utilizing these approaches. Students will examine current research about efficacy of such approaches, and also develop beginning skills in these approaches.

This course will focuses on the evaluation and treatment of psychological symptoms from the perspective of the family and systems theory. The history and evolution of the family movement will be presented, and multiple family therapy modalities introduced, with an emphasis on selected theories and applications of the theories. Pre-requisite: PSY662

This course focuses on issues and concepts related to counseling children and adolescents with social and/or emotional problems. Topics include significant differences between children/adolescents and adults; theories of normal child development and temperment; and conceptualization and effective treatment of problems.

This course introducea students to the techniques, strategies, and treatment modalities necessary for counseling professionals planning to work with adults, children, and families dealing with bereavement. The class focuses on the psychological, somatic, cultural, and spiritual aspects of grief and loss. Other topices included are interventions, community resources, and diverse religious and cultural practices.

This course covers child/adolescent psychopathology and psychological assessment of children and adolescents. Specific topics include diagnostic and assessment issues specific to children and adolescents; psychological and developmental disorders specific to children and adolescents; and related social and cultural issues.

12 credits from the following:

This course will provide an introduction and overview of Infant Mental Health (IMH). Core theoretical concepts related to the practice of IMH will be examined. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how IMH principles provide a foundation for working with infants, toddlers, and families across settings and disciplines.

This course will provide in-depth examination of infant-toddler development from conception to age 3. Participants will gain an understanding of the biopsychosocial aspects of brain development, attachment theory, temperament, and the potential consequences of trauma and loss. The development of specific developmental milestones across key skills areas will be reviewed.

This course will provide students with an introduction to and hands-on experience completing developmental assessment of infants from a multidisciplinary perspective. Participants will learn to assess infant development milestones in cognitive, social-emotional, communication, adaptive skills as well as sensory integration.

This course introduces specific prevention and intervention approaches for promoting attachment relationships and social-emotional development in children aged 0 to 3 emphasizing evidence-based practice. Participants will gain valuble skills for assisting parents, caregivers, educators and children in the promotion of positive social, emotional, and behavioral development.

This course will explore parent-infant interactions with specific emphasis on early attachment relationships between parent and child, problems in the attachment process, family systems, and interventions to improve the quality of parent-infant relationships. Opportunities to observe and assess attachment relationships within different at-risk populations will be provided.