Courses PhD in Behavioral Psychology

In this course, learners improve their ability to navigate the virtual campus and become familiar with library, career center, and writing center resources. Learners identify the educational steps and requirements necessary for successfully completing the doctoral degree program in their chosen specialization; review their specialization’s requirements, associated professional roles and organizations, and ethics and professional standards; and articulate a professional identity based on doctoral-level psychology training. For PhD in Psychology learners only. Must be taken during the learner’s first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this course, learners analyze multicultural perspectives and factors such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and gender, and their influences on the ethical behavior of psychology professionals. Learners evaluate and articulate multicultural issues within the context of different settings and practice applying ethical reasoning principles and standards within their profession. Prerequisite(s): PSY5002 or PSY8002.

Learners in this course explore historical and contemporary schools of thought such as behavioral, humanistic, and psychodynamic psychology. In particular, learners begin the process of becoming independent researchers by developing a dissertation topic that is appropriate for their specialization and aligned with foundational theories within their chosen school of thought. For PhD learners in Psychology only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this course, learners investigate the fundamental concepts needed to conduct quantitative research. Learners examine and apply quantitative research techniques; appropriate applications of quantitative research; research design, measurement, and analysis, and their associated interdependencies; variable types and levels of measurement; sampling; descriptive and inferential statistics; and hypothesis testing. Learners define the strengths and limitations of descriptive statistics, analyze the quantitative scales of measurement, review the logic of probability and null hypothesis testing, and leverage technology when applicable. Learners also determine the steps necessary to ensure human subjects protection, and consider methodological adaptations when conducting research with vulnerable and diverse populations. Learners may only earn credit for PSY7864 or RSCH7864.

Learners in this course assess the fundamental concepts needed to conduct qualitative research. Learners practice qualitative research techniques; appropriate applications of qualitative research; the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research design, sampling, and analysis and their associated interdependencies; and leverage technology when applicable. Learners also determine the steps necessary to ensure human subjects protection, and consider methodological adaptations when conducting research with vulnerable and diverse populations. Learners may only earn credit for PSY7868 or RSCH7868. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this course, learners synthesize knowledge of quantitative research methodology and use it to develop a quantitative research design that may form the basis of their dissertation research project. Learners compare their quantitative research design to a previously developed qualitative design on a similar topic and identify and justify the methodology most appropriate for investigating their research topic. For PsyD and PhD in Psychology learners only. Prerequisite(s): PSY7868. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this ten-week virtual residency, learners develop and evaluate proposed topic areas and theories for their doctoral project. Learners analyze the literature on potential topics to assess relevance to the discipline and potential methods to use in the doctoral project. Learners gain an understanding of the writing, research, and critical thinking skills necessary to complete the final project. Further development of the doctoral project is determined through a final assessment. This residency includes required synchronous sessions. For PhD in Behavior Analysis and PhD in Psychology learners only. Grading for this course is S/NS. Prerequisite(s): PhD in Psychology learners must have completed PSY7115. PhD in Behavior Analysis learners must have completed PSY7860, PSY8301, PSY8302, PSY8303, PSY8352. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this ten-week virtual residency, learners apply advanced research and writing skills through the development of a detailed project framework based on work in prior residencies. Learners develop a project framework that includes methodological and/or research design, sampling or participant recruitment plan, intervention plan (if applicable), strategies for data collection, analysis, and outcomes of the project. Further development of the doctoral project is determined through an assessment of the project framework, which is finalized once the learner enters the advanced doctoral stage of the program. This residency includes required synchronous sessions. For PhD in Behavior Analysis and PhD in Psychology learners only. Grading for this course is S/NS. Prerequisite(s): PSY-V8925. PhD in Psychology learners must have completed PSY7868, PSY8625. PhD in Behavior Analysis learners must have completed PSY8307. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this ten-week virtual residency, learners apply advanced research and writing skills through the development of a detailed project framework based on work in prior residencies. Learners develop a project framework that includes methodological and/or research design, sampling or participant recruitment plan, intervention plan (if applicable), strategies for data collection, analysis, and outcomes of the project. Further development of the doctoral project is determined through an assessment of the project framework, which is finalized once the learner enters the advanced doctoral stage of the program. This residency includes required synchronous sessions. Learners must complete Track 3 prior to beginning the comprehensive examination phase of the program. For PhD in Behavior Analysis and PhD in Psychology learners only. Grading for this course is S/NS. Prerequisite(s): PSY8307 or PSY8658; PSY-V8926. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this advanced course examine a variety of statistical analyses, including statistical power and effect size in research design, factorial and repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA), analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), selected nonparametric analyses, and bivariate and multiple regression. Learners are expected to have proficiency in the use of statistical software appropriate to dissertation-level research. Prerequisite(s): PSY7864. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

This course extends the topics covered in PSY7868 by further exploring the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative research and inquiry and emphasizes effective execution of the six school-approved dissertation research methodologies: ethnography, case study, grounded-theory phenomenology, heuristics, and generic qualitative research. Learners examine primary source references, books, and journal articles written by the developers of the six methodologies and gain an understanding of their nuances and applications. This course is designed to prepare learners to develop and conduct their own qualitative study for a dissertation. Prerequisite(s): PSY7868.

Learners in this course explore social and behavioral science theories and concepts applied to population health. Learners identify and increase their understanding of the biological, social, economic, behavioral, and environmental factors that influence the health of individuals, populations, and subgroups. Learners also examine the resources needed to develop social and behavioral policies and public health evidenced-based programs to reduce disparities and improve health.

In this course, learners examine the political, legal, and regulatory issues impacting health care organizations and environments. Learners analyze the effects of health care policy on health care practice and service delivery, with particular emphasis on the strategies used to monitor and maintain legal and regulatory compliance. Learners also identify and apply health care policy and law concepts that promote organizational improvement.

Learners in this course gain an overview of prenatal and postnatal development through the first three months of life. Learners analyze genetic and reproductive technology and articulate its impact on families and society. Throughout the course, learners demonstrate their knowledge of the stages of prenatal development (embryonic and fetal). Learners investigate various prenatal illnesses and physical problems while considering the impact of prenatal health disparities. In addition, learners engage with research, theory, and culturally relevant best practices related to promoting healthy newborn and infant development.​

In this course, learners gain and apply knowledge of lifespan development from infancy through adulthood, including human development processes and milestones while considering individual and cultural differences. Learners evaluate theories and approaches for examining human development and analyze human development processes related to their specialization.

Learners in this course critically evaluate and apply theory and research to child and adolescent development issues and current topics. Learners analyze the impact of policy and legislation in areas such as education, health, mental health, the military, media, and the economy on child and adolescent developmental outcomes and advocate for issues related to policy and legislation that improve the lives of children and adolescents. Prerequisite(s): PSY6010; PSY6025 or PSY6030.

In this course, learners gain and apply knowledge of the developmental stages of children from the prenatal period to adolescence. Learners examine how children develop physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively, and evaluate and articulate the influences of family, society, and culture on child and adolescent development. Learners also assess children’s evolving needs and apply theory and research to recommend appropriate responses to those needs.

In this course, learners gain and apply knowledge of the developmental stages from early adolescence to emerging adulthood. Learners evaluate and articulate the physical, psychosocial, emotional, sexual, moral, and cognitive changes associated with adolescent development and examine the ways in which adolescent development is influenced by family, society, and culture. Learners also assess the evolving needs of adolescents and apply theory and research in order to recommend appropriate responses to those needs.

Learners in this course analyze major contemporary theories and research on continuity and change from late adolescence through the end of life. Throughout the course, learners apply models and approaches for delivering psychological services to adults in a variety of settings and contexts, including in the workplace, within family, and in social relationships, in order to help those adults negotiate life transitions and increase their psychological well-being and longevity.

Learners investigate essential concepts, principles, applications, and social and theoretical issues of psychological testing. Learners gain understanding in the construction of tests; analyze the development and use of tests in measuring aptitudes, achievement, attitudes, interests, and personality; and identify underlying theories of various tests. Learners analyze the characteristics desired in psychological and educational tests, with particular emphasis on reliability and validity, and evaluate best practices and professional standards for educational and psychological testing, including test bias and fairness. In addition, learners assess the role of technology in delivery, administration, scoring, and interpretation of tests.

This course includes an overview of the comprehensive examination process, the university’s expectations of academic honesty and integrity, the three core themes of the examination, and the evaluation criteria. The courseroom mentor provides three questions addressing the core themes and learners write answers to the comprehensive examination questions. Answers are evaluated by faculty readers using point-scale scoring rubrics. Upon passing the comprehensive examination, learners are eligible to register for the first dissertation course. Department consent is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Prerequisite(s): Completion of all required and elective coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Completion of practicum courses, if applicable. Fulfillment of all residency requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and peer and mentor support during each dissertation course as they complete the required milestones. Department consent is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their specialization requirements. Prerequisite(s): PSY9909 or PSY9919. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.