Courses

Examination of the effects of therapeutic interventions on culturally distinct populations. (3 units; Spring & Online)

Designed for the beginning student, this is the first of a two-course sequence that serves as an introduction to the counseling profession. The focus of this course is the development of foundational knowledge of the history, scope, and the critical issues that relate to the counseling profession at large. The course emphasizes the development of basic therapeutic skills, empathy training, and the structure of the therapeutic process through a lecture/discussion/small group format. As part of the course, students will participate in a part one of a two-part professional development review that contributes to clearance to begin practicum training. Please review MSCP student handbook for detail. Additional practice seminar fee (Traditional Grad only). Pass/Fail. (3 units; Fall & Online)

This course is the second in a two-course sequence that serves as an introduction to the counseling profession and is a continuation of PSY 501 Professional Practice I: Basic Skills. The focus of this course is on building upon the basic therapeutic skills introduced in PSY 501 through a continued lecture/discussion/small group format. Students are introduced to several foundational theoretical orientations and emphasis is placed on various clinical, legal, and ethical issues related to the practice of psychotherapy. This includes 6 hours of suicide risk assessment, prevention, treatment, and intervention, as well as 3 hours of training in the law, ethics, and clinical considerations related to the provision of mental health services via telehealth. As part of the course, students will participate in part two of a two-part professional development review which contributes to clearance to begin practicum training. Please review MSCP student handbook for detail. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: PSY501. (3 units; Spring & Online)

The student is introduced to the theoretical foundations of Family Systems Theory, Behaviorism, Humanism, Existentialism, and Psychoanalytic Theory. (3 units; Fall & Online)

A study of the developmental cycle of the human organism from a cognitive, psychological, sociological, and moral perspective. Emphasis is placed on theories and research related to child development. (3 units; Fall/Spring & Online)

This course will address the principles and techniques of effective therapy with couples. Various couples treatment models will be described with a focus on applicability to different client needs in a variety of settings. Intimate partner violence detection, prevention, and treatment will be integrated into the treatment of couples. (3 units; Fall & Online)

Human sexuality focuses on the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction with an overview of physiology. It further examines the clinical, social and ethical issues in counseling persons with AIDS-related problems. (3 units; Summer & Online)

Application of group treatment models to various forms of interpersonal communication. (3 units; Spring & Online)

Theoretical and practical applications of research methods of psychotherapy. Prerequisite: BEH 383 Statistical Techniques in Behavioral Science or equivalent. (3 units; Spring & Online)

Supervised counseling experience in a professional setting. A required course either for students who begin counseling prior to the PSY 555 Practicum I course OR needed to continue in practicum after completing PSY 570 Practicum II. May be repeated one (1) time for a maximum of two (2) units. Pass/Fail. Prerequisites: PSY 501S, 502S, 505, 560, and either 511 or 525. (1 unit; Summer & Online)

Nature and causes of reactions to social, biological and psychological stress, maladaptive development, and faulty learning. Includes an in depth study of anxiety disorders, character personality, and the psychoses. (3 units; Fall/Spring & Online)

Applications of Intelligence Testing and Personality tests to diagnosis and therapy. Prerequisite: PSY 383 (Statistical Techniques in Behavioral Science) or equivalent. (3 units; Fall & Online)

Processes of diagnosis, dynamics, and treatment of children and adolescents. (3 units; Fall & Online)

Supervised counseling experience in professional settings. Additional testing fee. Prerequisites: PSY 501s, 502s, 505, 560, and either 511 or 525. Pass/Fail. (3 units; Fall & Online)

An examination and explanation of current laws and ethical issues affecting psychotherapists. (3 units; Fall & Online)

A continuation of PSY 555. Prerequisite: PSY 555. Pass/Fail. (3 units; Spring & Online)

An examination of the philosophical and theoretical suppositions of the major schools of family therapy. Emphasis on the historical and contemporary context of systems theory and family therapy.(3 units; Fall & Online)

Concentration on the therapeutic techniques of the various schools of family therapy discussed in Family Therapy I. Students are encouraged to develop specific family therapy skills through the use of videotape feedback, coaching, and classroom demonstration. Prerequisite: PSY 580. (3 units; Spring & Online)

Faculty and student dialogue on issues and topics related to the integration of Christianity and psychology. (2 units; Summer & Online)

This course is designed for the non-medical psychotherapist. The major categories of medication used in psychiatric intervention and issues related to consultation and collaboration with treatment teams, including medical staff, will be discussed. Pass/Fail. (3 units; Summer & Online)

This course provides the student with an overview of the addictive process including substance dependency and behavioral compulsions. The course emphasizes the etiology of addiction, the systemic impact of co-occurring disorders, the standard of care treatment modalities, and concepts of resiliency and recovery. Pass/Fail. (3 units; Fall, Spring, Summer, & Online)

This seminar addresses mental health issues in aging populations. Pass/Fail. (2 units; Fall, Spring, & Online)

This course introduces the student to the contemporary context of community mental health settings. Course content emphasizes recovery-oriented treatment for severe mental illness, disaster and trauma response, services for victims of abuse, the homeless, foster care services, case management, client advocacy, in-home and in-school services, bilingual client services, professional collaboration and medical family therapy. This is an elective course for which students wishing to pursue licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor in the State of California should register. Pre- or Co- requisite: PSY535. (3 units; Fall & Online)

This course is designed to meet the professional training criteria of students within the field of Counseling Psychology and other helping professions to gain competency in the basic tenets of career counseling. This is an elective course for which students wishing to pursue licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor in the State of California should register. (3 units; Spring & Online)

A study in the traditional and theoretical schools of criminology. Theories relating to individual abnormality and theories relating to cultural influences are examined. Theories of the causes of delinquency and data on delinquent behavior including gangs, minor and major criminal actions and methods of correction are also covered. (3 units; Summer & Online)

Survey of theory, method, and research results in areas of social psychology, such as attitude formation and change, social perception/ cognition, impression formation, social influence, interpersonal attraction and relationships, aggression and pro-social behavior, and group dynamics. Application in areas such as criminal behavior, legal settings, or neurobehavioral psychology will also be included. (3 units; Summer)

This course covers relevant laws and ethical issues affecting forensic psychologists practicing in California. It is designed to instill a broad understanding of the issues/areas within the field of forensic psychology. This broad understanding will include the areas of psychology, law, criminal justice, and forensic mental health. Students will be given the opportunity to gain this basic knowledge and will be expected to critically analyze theories, policies, research, and practices within the field of forensic psychology. (3 units; Spring)

This course is designed to be an in-depth seminar on a selected topic within Forensic Psychology. Course is repeatable for a total of nine units with a change of topic. (3 units; Fall, Spring)

This course provides an introduction to legal research methods, including state and federal reported cases, digests, annotated codes, state and federal administrative regulations, and computerized legal research, as well as an introduction to the writing of case briefs and memoranda. This course is also an advanced examination of aspects of evidence acquisition, evaluation, and preservation with special consideration of the legal context including its use in the trial process. This course is designed to provide additional insights concerning the proper use of evidence and its admissibility. (3 units; Fall)

Graduate level course on the nature of criminal law; philosophical and historical development; major definitions and concepts; classification of crime; elements of crimes and penalties using California and federal statutes as illustrations; defenses to criminal responsibility; criminal responsibility. (3 units; Spring & Online)

This course will examine elements of criminal investigation, including crime scene preservation, evidence collection and interviewing. To bring these two topics (investigation and report writing) together, students will also be exposed to various concepts of criminal law, search and seizure and police procedures. (3 units; Summer & Online)

This course examines the biological bases of behavior and learning through the lifespan, including the fundamentals of neuroanatomy, brain development, neuropsychology, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, psychopharmacology and temperament. (3 units; Fall)

This course is meant to teach graduate students the fundamentals of reconstructing the serial offenders' motives and intent through examination of psychological evidence left by perpetrators at crime scenes. This course incorporates a multifaceted approach to psychological profiling utilizing criminal investigative skills, social psychological principles, and advanced research methodology. Prerequisites: CJS 530, 560, FPY540 and either FPY 535 or PSY 535. (3 units; Spring)