Psychology
Master of Science (MS)
Online Degree Program

3 Semester Units

Developmental Psychology provides students with a balanced coverage of life-span development from a chronological approach starting with infancy and ending with late adulthood. In addition, this course also takes a multidisciplinary approach to how people grow and change through their lives. Together, these two approaches help students to explore the multitudes of developmental factors impacting an individual across the life-span including the physical, cognitive, social, occupational, and personality aspects that shape individuals.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Evaluate and examine the foundation and key theories related to the science and study of life-span development from a physical, cognitive, social, occupational, and personality standpoint.
• Discuss and examine the developmental factors impacting infancy and early childhood.
• Discuss and examine the developmental factors impacting middle childhood and adolescence.
• Discuss and examine the developmental factors impacting young and middle adulthood.
• Discuss and examine the developmental factors impacting late adulthood.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to developmental psychology.

Human sexuality presents the role of sexuality in all aspects of human development. This course examines how sexuality is perceived and conveyed in various cultures. Methods of addressing sexual problems, sexual communication, evaluation of research, childrearing practices, life-cycle sexuality, and cross-cultural variations are also explored.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define the term sexuality and discuss the evolution of human sexuality as well as key theories and research related to the field.
• Demonstrate an understanding of reproductive anatomy and physiology and examine the development of gender development, roles, and identify relationships from childhood to adulthood.
• Analyze the role of communication, love, intimacy, expression, and orientation in human sexuality.
• Evaluate the key components of pregnancy, birth, contraception, abortion, sexual functioning, and sexually transmitted infections.
• Demonstrate an understanding of issues related to varieties of sexual expression, power and coercion, and sexual images and selling sex.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to human sexuality.

Psychopathology offers students the chance to investigate the causes of abnormal behavior and to learn various methods for therapeutic change. The nature of knowledge is explored, experimental design is examined, and the interplay between theory and data is discussed.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define abnormal psychology and analyze the historical, biological, psychological, social and biopsychosocial perspectives on the origins of abnormal behavior.
• Evaluate contemporary perspectives on abnormal behavior and explain methods of classification, assessment, treatment, and research in the field.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the various psychological disorders and explain treatment approaches.
• Examine the legal, ethical and professional issues related to the practice of psychology.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to psychopathology.

Theories of Marriage and Family explores all major schools and developments in family therapy and includes brief biographies of some of the leading family therapists of the twentieth century. Current research and developments in the field are covered, and trends in family therapy are presented. Ethical standards for the practice of marriage and family therapy are also included.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Examine the context of family therapy, including its foundations, evolution, and major concepts.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the key terminology, theoretical formulations, key figures, techniques, and goals of the classic schools of family therapy.
• Analyze recent developments in family therapy and examine future trends.
• Describe the ethical and cultural issues involved with family therapy.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to the theories of marriage and family therapy.

Professional Ethics and the Law explores the legal and ethical guidelines and expectations that must be adhered to in the professional counseling setting. Central issues in legal and ethical counseling practices—particularly unethical behaviors that harm or has the potential to harm clients—are presented and diverse scenarios are examined. The counselor-client relationship, personal values, and responsibilities are analyzed and considerations involved in adapting counseling practices are explored.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define morals, values, and ethics and examine the origins of law related to the field of psychology.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the different theories of ethics, and examine the importance of cultural competence related to ethical practice.
• Examine the major legal and ethical challenges facing the counseling profession today.
• Analyze the differences among legal standards, ethical standards, and best practice in the counseling profession.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to professional ethics and the law.

Alcohol and Chemical Substance Abuse examines various drugs, drug-related issues, and alcohol through multiple lenses: historical, social, psychological, cultural, biological, and medical. Woven throughout the course is the idea that the effects of drugs and alcohol are as dependent upon individual users’ psychological and biological characteristics as they are on a drug’s specific properties. This course also explores substance misuse treatment and prevention.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain the various definitions of the term drug, and examine the history of drug use in the United States as well as key issues related to prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
• Examine the effect of drugs on the nervous system and discuss the history of psychotherapeutic medications.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the key elements of pharmacology, psychopharmacology, and new drug development.
• Analyze current methods for assessment and treatment of substance use disorders and discuss the various drug prevention models.
• Describe the different categories of drugs, their history, acute and chronic effects.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to alcohol and chemical substance abuse.

Counseling Systems and Techniques explores and examines the major psychotherapeutic theories and theorists, along with the key concepts and terminology related to each. In addition, research conducted within the field of psychotherapy and ethical issues encountered by practitioners in the field are examined. This course also explores the ways in which practitioners can combine varying psychotherapeutic techniques and theories into an integrated whole to best serve the individual needs of each client.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define and examine the major psychotherapeutic theories and theorists.
• Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts and terminology related to the major psychotherapeutic theories.
• Demonstrate an understanding of treatment systems emphasizing thought and actions.
• Demonstrate an understanding of treatment systems emphasizing family systems and integrative approaches.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to counseling systems and techniques.

Assessment Techniques teaches the principles of psychological tests and measurements with an emphasis on psychometric theories and principles. The course provides comprehensive coverage of the full array of the assessment techniques commonly used in modern psychological settings. This course also addresses prominent assessment issues such as test bias and assessment accommodations. In the process, this course takes every opportunity to illustrate the course material by providing practical, “everyday” examples of the principles and procedures at work.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define the processes of psychological testing and assessment.
• Evaluate the cultural, legal, and ethical considerations related to assessment.
• Analyze the assessment process for personality and intelligence testing.
• Examine the science of psychological measurement.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to assessment techniques.

Psychology of Aging takes a multidisciplinary perspective on highlighting the diversities of the aging experience related to the cultural, biological, physiological, emotional, cognitive, economic, and social aspects of aging. Special emphasis is given to understanding the dynamic interactions between older people and the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of their lives.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define the study of gerontology, key terminology, theorists, and examine the changing demographics of the U.S. aging population.
• Evaluate neuroscience as a basis for adult development and aging and explain the different neuroscience perspectives.
• Discuss the physiological, cognitive, and behavioral changes associated with aging and the role of clinical assessment.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the legal, ethical, and personal issues related to dying and bereavement.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to the psychology of aging.

3 Semester Units

Cultural Psychology offers a perspective on the importance of culture and how culture influences a wide range of cognitive, psychological, and physical processes as well as behavioral aspects of humans. This course introduces students to the relationship of culture and self-identity including personality, gender, communication, physical and mental health, psychological interventions, and social behavior. Finally, students will also examine the relationship between culture and organizational behavior.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define culture, key terminology related to cultural psychology, and research methods in the field.
• Examine psychological processes, behaviors, and interventions as they pertain to culture.
• Demonstrate an understanding of cultural and psychological processes including enculturation, developmental processes, and moral reasoning.
• Evaluate the relationship between culture and self-identity, personality, gender, communication, physical health, mental health, and social behavior.
• Analyze the relationship between culture and organizational behavior including best practices for motivation, productivity, decision-making, and working with diverse cultures.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to cultural psychology.

Group Psychotherapy introduces students to the current theories, research, and trends specific to working with groups. The unique values of group counseling for special populations is explored and the issues and cases which deal with the ethics of group work are addressed. Additionally, various theories are explored as they relate to group goals and process. The course provides conceptual frames of reference for the psychoanalytic, Adlerian, psychodramatic, existential, person-centered, Gestalt, transactional analysis, behavior therapy, rational emotive behavior therapy, and reality therapy perspectives.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Analyze the foundations for group work, key terminology, and describe the general goals for groups.
• Evaluate the useful approaches and best practices for group work.
• Examine the cultural considerations and ethical guidelines for group counseling.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the issues of informed consent and confidentiality associated with group counseling.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to group psychotherapy.

Clinical Psychology presents the theories, research, prevention, assessment, and clinical applications of the field of clinical psychology. The diagnostic and therapeutic strategies employed by clinical psychologists are examined, and students will be challenged to engage in a critical analysis of the theories and research that provide the foundation for effective treatments of various mental disorders.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define clinical psychology and key terminology, and examine its evolution and key theorists in the field.
• Examine ethical, cultural, diversity, and professional issues related to clinical psychology.
• Describe the assessment process in clinical psychology.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of psychotherapy and examine their key elements and goals.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to clinical psychology.

The Research Process is a required course for all of the master’s degree programs offered at the University. This course provides an overview of the various research methods, research design, guidance in planning research strategy, and documentation of research data. It also explores and analyzes examples of research from many different disciplines, the development and use of computer-aided research, writing skills, and logical argumentation techniques required in the research field.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define research methods, analyze its importance, and examine how it informs policy and practice.
• Discuss the various research strategies for description.
• Examine the statistical tools and interpretations used in quantitative research.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the various strategies for causation in research.
• Evaluate the role of research as it relates to political and ethical issues.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to the research process.

Students enrolled in the Master of Science in Psychology degree program will complete a Final Comprehensive Examination. The Final Comprehensive Examination consists of a combination of four writing assignments and one multiple-choice examination, requiring students to integrate knowledge acquired across the educational program. The Final Comprehensive Examination is sent to students after all the coursework has been successfully completed. The examination is graded on a pass/no pass basis. Students may repeat any portion until they receive a passing score.