Counseling Psychology Course Descriptions

CPSY-500 Accelerated General Psychology

Serves as an accelerated introduction to the field of psychology. The content includes those areas most needed by a prospective graduate student in counseling psychology, including: scientific methods in psychology, learning theories, memory and cognition, neuroanatomy and psychophysiology, motivation and emotion, personality and psychopathology. Other topics may be covered at the discretion of the instructor. The course also includes an introduction to reading and writing psychological literature and the analysis of psychological phenomena. Credit may not be used to fulfill degree requirements.
Credits: 4.00

CPSY-501 Human Growth and Development

Considers development and socialization across the lifespan. lifespan. Particular attention is accorded to how developmental issues at varying levels impact the counseling process.
Credits: 3.00

CPSY-502 Assessment of Individuals

Theory and practice of various aspects of the process of assessing clinical problems. Information is covered regarding intake interviewing, structured interviewing, and diagnosis and treatment planning. Additionally, course involves a description of a variety of strategies (self-report, observational, objective) used in evaluating individuals.
Credits: 3.00

CPSY-503 Professional Orientation

Considers standards of counseling practice, ethical and professional issues, mental health statutes, interaction with other helping professions, referrals, and consultation. Discussion of the role of managed care, social and political factors impacting on practice.
Credits: 3.00

CPSY-504 Interviewing and Counseling Skills

Introduction to communication skills in the helping relationship, including active listening, accurate empathy, establishment of rapport, non-judgmental attitude, reflecting, facilitation of client self-exploration, behavior monitoring, interpretation, and extracting relevant clinical information. Role playing will be used extensively as a teaching tool.
Credits: 3.00

CPSY-505 Individual Assessment Lab

Taken in conjunction with CPSY 502. Assessment of Individuals, except with consent of instructor. Provides an opportunity for students to implement assessment strategies learned in Assessment of Individuals. Emphasis is placed on experiential learning opportunities and constructive feedback regarding assessment skills. Taken Pass/No Pass.
Credits: 1.00

CPSY-506 Interviewing and Counseling Skills Lab

Practical experience in using interviewing and counseling skills. Taken concurrently with CPSY 504 Interviewing and Counseling Skills, except with consent of instructor. Taken Pass/No Pass.
Credits: 1.00

CPSY-510 Social & Cultural Foundations

Examines social and cultural determinants of behavior, with particular relevance to the counseling process. Also considers services and service-delivery to underserved populations, including Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native American Indians.
Credits: 3.00

CPSY-511 Counseling Theory

Considers the theoretical models underlying short-term therapies, term therapies, with discussion of crisis intervention models, behavior therapy, family/ marital therapy, and group therapy. Emphasis on rationale for selection criteria and outcome evaluation in time-limited treatment. The time-limited model is underscored.
Credits: 3.00

CPSY-521 Research Methods

Considers scientific method, hypothesis generation, experimental and quasi-experimental design, single subject designs, reliability, and validity. Emphasis is on how research methods relate to accountability in practice. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches will be covered.
Credits: 3.00

CPSY-531 Career and Lifestyle Development

Evaluates theoretical underpinnings of career and lifestyle choice. Examines the complexities of career and lifestyle methods to guide clients in making choices. Development issues across the career span including early socialization, mentoring, role changes, and values across cultures are included.
Credits: 3.00

CPSY-535 Group Dynamics

Considers group counseling approaches and models; issues of group issues of group leadership; styles of leadership and group facilitation skills. Consideration is given to specific goals and counseling methods to facilitate group cohesion and growth.
Credits: 3.00

CPSY-541 Psychoactive Substances

Introduces psychopharmacology of legal and illegal substances, assessment and treatment of abuse. 3 credits.
Credits: 3.00

CPSY-550 Intro to Professional Participation

Minimum of 20 hours per semester volunteer experience in a facility or program approved by advisor. Repeated three times, normally in the first year. 1 credit.
Credits: 1.00

CPSY-552 Spanish & Culture for Health Prof I

This course will develop the skills needed to understand and communicate in spoken and written Spanish on a beginning level within the medical setting. In addition, the course will help the student gain a valuable understanding of basic cultural issues related to Spanish-speaking patients of relevance in medical settings. 3 hours
Credits: 3.00

CPSY-555 Special Topics/Independent Study

Credits: 1.00

CPSY-561 Behavioral Therapy I

Theoretical basis and basic principles of behavioral therapy and behavioral analysis are considered. The practical foundations of behavioral assessment are presented, including skills in functional assessment and basic skills in behavioral interventions. Elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy are also considered. 4 credits. Effective Fall 2009 this will be a 3 credit course.
Credits: 4.00

CPSY-562 Behavioral Therapy II

Specific emphasis on assessment and behavioral treatment of children and adolescents. Course material is divided between strategies for working with children with developmental disabilities and strategies for working with children who are developing typically but who are presenting with clinical concerns. 4 credits. Effective Fall 2009 this will be a 3 credit course.
Credits: 4.00

CPSY-563 Behavioral Therapy III

Specific emphasis on behavioral and cognitive- behavioral assessment and treatment of adults and older adults with a large variety of presenting problems. 4 credits. Effective Fall 2009 this will be a 3 credit course.
Credits: 4.00

CPSY-564 Child Roles & Contexts

Covers the impact of child and adolescent interpersonal and societal roles and environmental contexts on psychological functioning. Emphasis is on family, school, and peers. Positive approaches to behavioral counseling for children and families, and consultation with schools. 4 credits. Effective Fall 2009 this will be a 3 credit course.
Credits: 4.00

CPSY-565 Adult Roles & Contexts

Covers the impact of adult interpersonal and societal roles and environmental contexts on psychological functioning. Emphasis is on family, couples, caregiving. Positive approaches to behavioral counseling for adults, families, and couples are emphasized. 4 credits. Effective Fall 2009 this will be a 3 credit course.
Credits: 4.00

CPSY-571 Organizational Behavior I

Organizational Psychology. Considers the theory of organizational systems, organizational design, technology, motivation, leadership, culture and climate, and social relationships. 4 credits. Effective Fall 2009 this will be a 3 credit course.
Credits: 4.00

CPSY-572 Organizational Behavior II

Individual Problems and Interventions. Identifying and changing individual performance problems in organizations. Includes performance appraisal and feedback, training, performance management and engineering, disabilities, job design, stress reduction, and other practices. 4 credits. Effective Fall 2009 this will be a 3 credit course.
Credits: 4.00

CPSY-573 Organizational Behavior III

Organizational Problems and Interventions. Working with entire organizational units to change culture, attitudes, norms, and other factors to make organizations more productive and better places to work. 4 credits. Effective Fall 2009 this will be a 3 credit course.
Credits: 4.00

CPSY-590 Practica I, II, and III

Total of 600 hours, across the three practica in preparation for supervised practice post-masters graduation. Of the 600 hours, approximately one half are in direct service, one fourth in supervisory and training activities, and one fourth in administrative duties related to the above. The three terms of practica are served in agencies approved by the Director of the Program in consultation with the Coordinator of Clinical Training at SPP. The primary objective is to enable the student to practice, under supervision, counseling and assessment skills, with a variety of populations. Taken Pass/No Pass.
Credits: 5.00

CPSY-591 Organizational Fieldwork

Total of 100 hours across two trimesters engaged in an organizational consulting assignment approved by the Director of the Organizational Behavior Track or Program Director. Required for Organizational Behavior Track students only. 1 hour. Repeatable for credit twice.
Credits: 1.00

CPSY-592 Evidence Based Practice Project

Preparation and presentation of a detailed study of a client counseled by the student. The study is conducted at the practicum site and the report is prepared according to a standard format used by the program. The final product is evaluated by the faculty and successful completion is required for graduation. 1 hour. Repeatable for credit 3 times.
Credits: 1.00

CPSY-595 Research Participation