Psychology (PSYCHLGY)

PSYCHLGY 5990 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging 3 Credits

The purpose of this course is to provide a general introduction to the multi-disciplinary field of gerontology and examine the biological, social and psychological dimensions of adult development. While the primary focus is on an examination of the theoretical and empirical research on the aging process, students will also have the opportunity to be exposed to aging from an experiential perspective. P: PSYCHLGY 1130 or equivalent.
Components: Class
Typically Offered: Spring

PSYCHLGY 6020 Contemporary Issues in Psychology 1-3 Credits

This course provides students an opportunity to explore the current issues of academic and applied psychology through research and discussion. May be taken more than once if topic is different. P: PSYCHLGY 1130 and other prerequisites as appropriate to the topic.
Components: Class
Typically Offered: Fall/Spring

PSYCHLGY 6930 Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy 3 Credits

Survey of procedures used by psychologists, including counseling, psychotherapy, and limited psychodiagnostics. Practice procedures and applications are also emphasized. P: Nine credits in the behavioral sciences.
Components: Class
Typically Offered: Fall/Spring

PSYCHLGY 6940 Advanced Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy 3 Credits

This course provides students opportunities to expand, implement, and refine counseling skills. It affords opportunities for students to learn more advanced techniques as well as practice basic counseling skills. The course covers processes of counseling, ethical considerations, theoretical applications, and special populations. P: PSYCHLGY 4930 or PSYCHLGY 6930 or COUNSPSY 7020.
Components: Class
Typically Offered: Spring

PSYCHLGY 7010 Assessment and Diagnosis of Psychopathology 3 Credits

This course presents an overview of the scientific understanding of the perspectives, patterns, and characteristics of psychopathology as they relate to assessment and diagnosis. The responsibility of mental health workers to facilitate client growth in a way which conveys respect, preserves dignity, and displays integrity will be discussed.
Components: Class
Typically Offered: Spring

PSYCHLGY 7030 Psychology in the Criminal Justice System 3 Credits

This course is designed to introduce graduate students to the use of psychological methodologies and theoretical models within the criminal justice system. Special attention is applied to criminal and police psychology with some coverage of forensic psychology.
Components: Class
Typically Offered: Summer

PSYCHLGY 7040 Substance Abuse Assessment and Treatment 3 Credits

This course is an overview of various types of substance and behavioral addictions and resulting characteristics and behavior patterns of the addicted individual. Emphasis is on etiology, assessment and evidence-based, multi-disciplinary treatment models and methods.
Components: Class

PSYCHLGY 7230 Crisis Intervention Theory 3 Credits

This course examines crisis intervention models as they apply to suicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, natural disasters, personal loss, and life cycle crises. Students learn to recognize and deal with the psychological and emotional stresses encountered by professionals and paraprofessionals who work with people in crisis.
Components: Class
Typically Offered: Spring

PSYCHLGY 7330 Theories of Personality in the Criminal Justice System 3 Credits

This course introduces students to the major psychological theories of personality, as they are applied in criminal justice settings as well as clinical settings. Special attention is given to the application of theories to terrorist motivation.
Components: Class
Typically Offered: Fall

PSYCHLGY 7430 Abnormal Psychology in a Dangerous World 3 Credits

A graduate course in abnormal psychology that does not presume prior psychology study. The course places the concept of abnormal psychology in historical context, covers the major mental illnesses and their treatments, and relates content to criminal justice applications. There is a major focus on risk and danger, as they relate to the disorders. P: graduate student status.
Components: Class
Typically Offered: Spring

PSYCHLGY 7440 Graduate Practicum in Psychology 1-4 Credits

Enhancement of educational experience through placement with an agency, business, industry, or institution. The nature of the experience, type, requirements, number of credits, and evaluation procedures are agreed upon beforehand between the student, the faculty member, and the site supervisor. Students may be asked to agree to and pay for a background check if the agency requires it. P: Minimum of 12 graduate credits and recommendation of two graduate faculty members.
Components: Practicum
Typically Offered: Fall/Spring/Summer

PSYCHLGY 7920 Seminar Paper Research 1-2 Credits

The seminar paper or educational project need not be a report of original and independent research. It must demonstrate, however, the student's ability to survey a field of knowledge and assemble, organize, evaluate, interpret, and present evidence in a logical and intelligent manner. Although the seminar paper or educational project may originate from work done in connection with one of the student's graduate courses and be based upon a term paper or course project, it must be more comprehensive and complete in coverage and treatment. In consultation with the program advisor, the student proposes a seminar paper or educational project and a seminar paper or educational project advisor. An approved seminar paper or educational project proposal must be submitted and approved prior to registration. There is a website with useful links to guide the graduate student in grammar, style, evaluating web resources, and formats. The seminar paper or educational project advisor will provide guidance regarding the site. The site may be accessed through the University's Karrmann Library.
Components: Seminar

PSYCHLGY 7980 Independent Study in Psychology 1-4 Credits

The amount of graduate credit allowed for independent study may not exceed a total of four credits. Approval must be secured before independent study courses are begun. Students registering for independent study must submit at or before registration a description signed by the instructor conducting the independent study of the subject to be covered. Independent study may not be used for collecting information for the seminar paper.
Components: Independent Study
Typically Offered: Fall/Spring/Summer

PSYCHLGY 7990 Thesis Research 3-6 Credits

The thesis may be an outgrowth of a research course (e.g. TEACHING 7000 Research Procedures) or may be developed independently within the program area. The thesis will report the results of original and independent student research on a given problem or topic, by systematic and impartial methods, and will demonstrate the student's ability to use techniques customarily employed in the particular field of investigation. Although a thesis for the master's degree may not always be expected to make a significant contribution to existing knowledge, it should be a scholarly document that is accurate, verifiable, objective, and impartial. In consultation with the program advisor, the student proposes a committee of three faculty members. The committee normally includes the thesis advisor, one additional major department member, and one faculty member from another department. In some instances, a student may prefer a thesis advisor who is different from the program advisor assigned at the time of admission. An approved thesis proposal must be submitted and approved prior to registration. There is a website with useful links to guide the graduate student in grammar, style, evaluating web resources, and formats. (Thesis students will find the Texas A and M link useful for formatting procedures and other technical assistance.) The thesis advisor will provide guidance regarding the site. The site may be accessed through the University's Karrmann Library.
Components: Thesis Research