Courses

This introductory course is a survey of the processes of adjustment, growth, learning, remembering, perception, sensation, socialization, and emotions. It is meant to better equip students to understand and articulate their own life experiences, as well as improve their understanding of the behavior of others. This course is a prerequisite to all other courses in Psychology. (3 Units)

This course introduces the various quantitative and qualitative methodologies utilized in behavioral science research. Also included are the collection, treatment, and interpretation of data in research and testing using a statistical analysis application. Prerequisite: (MAT115,BEH290) or (BEH290,STA144) (4 Units)

The course addresses principles of psychological development across time and culture. Students will understand universal stages of human development, influences on individual differences and the impact of nature and nurture. The course views human development as a unit of interrelated parts, concentrating on the relationships between the mind, body, and the socio-cultural context. Specific consideration is given to issues of integration, culture, and Biblical worldview. Prerequisite: PSY213 (3 Units)

This course is a survey of theories of personality emphasizing various viewpoints, unique theoretical perspectives, functions, and development of basic attitudes and belief systems that influence behavior throughout the life span. The course equips students to actively integrate faith (i.e., biblical principles) with the theories discussed. Prerequisite: PSY213 (3 Units)

This course is a study of human growth and development during the first two decades of life. Emphasis is placed on how teachers apply theoretical foundations of the learning process, cultural forces affecting behavior, testing, grouping of students, and inclusion. A certificate of clearance is required prior to engaging in fieldwork. Prerequisite for all other education courses. (3 Units)

This course is designed to introduce first-year students in the Pupil Personnel Services Credential Program in School Psychology to theory, roles, and functions, and current issues of school psychology as an academic discipline and as a professional field. This course will orient new students to the model of school psychology practice taught within this program: a scholar-practitioner model which requires the ability to think critically within the context of a broad base of practical experience. Fieldwork required. (2 Units)

The course focuses on developing an educational approach to supporting positive academic and social behaviors in the classroom and community using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Specifically, students will be presented with the concepts of reinforcement, punishment, stimulus, control, shaping, and fading as they are applied to increasing or decreasing academic and social behaviors. Students will also be presented with information regarding functional assessment, behavior support and behavior intervention plans, and laws (federal and state) governing behavioral issues related to individuals with special needs. Fieldwork required. (3 Units)

This course is comprised of (a) the school psychology fieldwork/practicum; (b) class meetings; and (c) the practicum portfolio. Students will develop competencies in the 10 NASP domains while working in a K-12 school setting 2 days per week (minimum 450 fieldwork hours over the schoolyear) under the direct supervision of a credentialed school psychologist. In addition, students will receive 15 hours of on-campus seminar and group supervision each semester. Students will demonstrate competency through the completion of a Practicum Portfolio. A minimum of 5 units must be completed. (2 Units)

This course introduces the basic principles involved in identifying and assessing problem behaviors and pathology in the educational setting. Knowledge and data-analysis are used to form conclusions and to communicate them clearly in addressing serious behavior problems. Candidates design positive behavior support plans and comprehensive functional behavior support plans for individuals, as well as school-wide plans to affect positive behavior change. Concurrent enrollment in Practicum III is required. Completion of twenty (20) hours of fieldwork through this course assessing and observing pupils in order to demonstrate the ability to communicate the results effectively and develop appropriate behavior plans is required. (3 Units)

This course is designed to provide students with competencies toward developing knowledge and skills related to varied evidence-based methods in psychology and education to promote the social, emotional, and behavioral health and well-being of youth in schools. It is a graduate-level introductory course for school-based professionals. It is designed to provide an overview of conceptual and service-delivery foundations, evidence- based behavioral interventions across tiers (i.e., school-wide, class/small group, individualized), as well as evaluation and data-based decision making. Students will be presented course content through readings, lectures, small group discussion, and case study activities. Students are responsible for participating in these activities and providing the instructor with information that indicates an understanding and mastery of the course content. The instructor is responsible for presenting course content, evaluating student performance, and providing feedback that enables students to meet course objectives. (3 Units)

This course is designed to provide school psychology graduate students with the theoretical foundation to implement various evidence-based interventions to promote academic attainment for all students in schools. It is designed to provide an overview of the conceptual models of learning to set the foundation for understanding intervention. Students will be presented course content through lectures, readings, small group discussions, online learning modules, and activities. The instructor is responsible for presenting course content, evaluating student performance, and providing feedback that enables students to meet course objectives. (3 Units)

This course will equip candidates with the theories and skills related to assessment and intervention of students with Mild/ Moderate support needs. Candidates will examine the relationship among assessment, disability, and intervention. Candidates will examine the basic concepts and theoretical foundation of assessment as well as the range of assessments from informal to formal. Issues related to culture, language, faith and disability as they impact student learning are also emphasized. This course will provide candidates with opportunities to connect assessment to interventions that address the unique needs of students with Mild/Moderate support needs. Clinical fieldwork at a designated school site is required. (4 Units)

This course will focus on the basic aspects of effective Crisis Response within the educational setting. Candidates will demonstrate the ability to draw from a variety of approaches and research based intervention strategies to assess and address the needs of students at-risk for academic failure due to depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, familial duress, traumatic events, natural disasters and terrorist events. Students learn principles of psychological triage, crisis response, prevention, mitigation, intervention and critical incidence stress debriefing. (3 Units)

This advanced assessment course, the second in a series of three, examines the critical link between psychological processing and academic achievement. Students will explore the theoretical underpinnings of various cognitive processing domains while gaining supervised, practical experience in the administration and scoring of relevant assessment instruments. A primary focus is placed on developing advanced competencies in data interpretation, formulating evidence-based accommodations and composing legally defensible psychoeducational reports. Additional lab fee. Prerequisite: PPS 522. (3 units)

This course will focus on the basic aspects of effective communication between education professionals and others involved in the education and care of disabled individuals, including parents and family members. PPS credential candidates will acquire professional knowledge and skills which will be developed through readings, seminar discussions, in-class role plays, and field based practice experiences. They will discuss relevant ASCA/NASP professional standards. Ten hours of fieldwork is required for this course. (3 Units)

Supervised field experience in paid or unpaid internship in school psychology. Candidates develop competencies in assessment and data based decision making, consultation, and systems change, cognitive and academic interventions, mental health interventions, and home/school/community collaboration. In addition to the required field experience, students are expected to participate in fifteen (15) hours of on-campus seminar and group supervision each semester. Candidates for the PPS credential will complete 600 hours of field experience for each course with satisfactory evaluations by the University and district supervisors. At least 800 hours of the total must be in preschool-grade 12. Of the 1200 hours required, 400 may be completed in other appropriate settings and activities as documented by institutional records. This may be done on a full-time basis over the course of one academic year, or on a part-time basis over the period of no more than two consecutive academic years. Approval from the School of Education to enroll in the course requires: successful completion of all coursework, including 450 hours of field practice, approval for the internship by the Education Committee, and approval of fieldwork site by program coordinator or advisor. (6 Units)

This course, the third in a series of three, provides an in-depth exploration of the theoretical foundations essential for interpreting and utilizing individual processing assessments. Students will delve into evidence-based cognitive and neuropsychological theories of brain processing to understand their impact on learning, social-emotional development and behavioral functioning. The curriculum emphasizes the application of these frameworks to establish eligibility, select appropriate accommodations and interventions, and produce legally defensible reports. A lab fee is required. Prerequisites include PPS 522 and 523. (3 units)

This course introduces legal and ethical practice to PPS candidates in school psychology. The Code of Ethics, Federal and State laws and Best Practices established by NASP will be reviewed and actively applied through observation of school psychologists, interviews with them, class work, case studies and direct applications in school-based settings. Candidates will demonstrate knowledge of legal and ethical issues faced by school psychologists, professional standards, the fundamentals of Federal and State guidelines and education code. Emphasis will be placed on the legal and ethical issues encountered under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) such as free appropriate public education, Individual Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans, mediation, consultation and collaboration, due process, confidentiality laws, and family and student rights. Fifteen (15) hours of fieldwork are required. (3 Units)