PSY7421
Specialization Course Cognitive/Affective Psychology
5 quarter credits
Students in this course apply their knowledge of theoretical foundations and the basic principles and models of cognitive/affective psychology to mental processes, such as how individuals acquire, process, and store information; how they think, perceive, remember, and learn; and how they experience feelings, moods, and emotions. Students also demonstrate the ways in which the integration of cognition and affect influence an individual's behavior.
5 quarter credits
PSY8100
Specialization Course Principles of Educational Psychology
5 quarter credits
This course is an examination of current issues, theories, models, and research design methods in the educational psychology field. Throughout the course, students evaluate principles of learning, motivation, and assessment design strategies used to create curriculum that is designed to enhance pedagogy, adaptation, and student performance.
5 quarter credits
PSY6025
Specialization Course Child Psychology
5 quarter credits
Students gain and apply knowledge of the developmental stages of children from the prenatal period to adolescence. Students 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. Students also assess children's evolving needs and apply theory and research to recommend appropriate responses to those needs. Prerequisite(s): Accelerated Master's Pathway, BS in Psychology/MS in Psychology option students must have completed PSYC3700 and PSYC4101 with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or better.
5 quarter credits
PSY6030
Specialization Course Adolescent Psychology
5 quarter credits
In this course, students gain and apply knowledge of the developmental stages from early adolescence to emerging adulthood. Students 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. Students also assess the evolving needs of adolescents and apply theory and research in order to recommend appropriate responses to those needs.
5 quarter credits
PSY7240
Specialization Course Adult Psychology
5 quarter credits
Students in this course analyze major contemporary theories and research on continuity and change from late adolescence through the end of life. Throughout the course, students 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.
5 quarter credits
PSY7330
Specialization Course Psychopharmacology
5 quarter credits
Students in this course explore the behavioral and therapeutic effects of psychoactive drugs. Course topics include synaptic transmission, behavioral role of specific neuromodulatory systems, pharmacological treatment of mental and neurological disorders, addiction, and the various side effects of psychoactive drugs, and how these may interact with key characteristics such as age or general health. Drug effects on learning, creativity, memory, sleep, perception, and sexual functioning receive special attention. Students also examine the efficacy of treating patients with a combination of psychotherapy and psychotropic medications for a number of diagnosed mental disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, obsessive compulsive behavior, schizophrenia, and childhood disorders.
5 quarter credits
PSY6110
Specialization Course Learning Theories in Psychology
5 quarter credits
Students analyze psychological and learning theories and their principles and concepts and identify how these apply to learning processes. Students present research designs and methodologies from current research studies and investigate the connection between theories and research processes. Additionally, students apply theories and research findings to case studies. Prerequisite(s): Accelerated Master's Pathway, BS in Psychology/MS in Psychology option students must have completed PSYC3700 and PSYC4101 with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or better.
5 quarter credits
PSY7610
Specialization Course Tests and Measurements
5 quarter credits
Students investigate focuses on essential concepts, principles, applications, and social and theoretical issues of psychological testing. Students 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. Students 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. In addition, students assess the role of technology in delivery, administration, scoring, and interpretation of tests.
5 quarter credits
PSY8170
Specialization Course Principles of Instructional Design
5 quarter credits
Students in this course gain an understanding of core instructional design concepts by applying research-based learning science to effective instructional design in multiple learning contexts. Students explore the intersection of instructional design and learning theory and assess the effectiveness of the instructional design process to achieve learning outcomes. Students also make curriculum decisions that incorporate fundamental elements of instructional design across a spectrum of educational environments.
5 quarter credits
PSY8770
Specialization Course Psychology of Motivation and Performance
5 quarter credits
In this course, students explore various psychological theories, concepts, and principles of motivation. Students evaluate the factors of motivation that influence personal and professional performance, success, and satisfaction. Students also synthesize research in order to identify, assess, and integrate motivational strategies and apply models of performance enhancement.
5 quarter credits
PSY5140
Specialization Course Program Evaluation
5 quarter credits
This course provides an examination of the theories, techniques, methods, and processes of program evaluation. Students synthesize the knowledge and skills gained from prior coursework to design a program evaluation, plan its implementation, and communicate the results in appropriate and effective formats. Prerequisite(s): PSY7864 or RSCH7864.
5 quarter credits
PSY7422
Specialization Course Motivation
5 quarter credits
Students identify major motivation theories, principles, and research findings to understand the complexities in motivational processes. Students analyze theories and research findings to propose ways of improving motivational processes for oneself and for others in specific settings. Students also examine the role that beliefs, cognitions, emotions, and values play in achievement situations.
5 quarter credits
PSY8110
Specialization Course The Teaching of Psychology
5 quarter credits
Students analyze the psychological basis of post-secondary instruction in psychology and other social sciences through the application of psychological and learning theories and research findings. Students examine post-secondary education in face-to-face and online environments, including use of technology in education for students 18 years and older, and consider the differences for adult students over the age of 25. Throughout the course, students gain an understanding of effective teaching and assessment strategies and classroom management practices. Students identify how adaptable teaching practices and instructional decision-making impact learning. Students also reflect on their professional skills and self-efficacy in teaching a wide variety of populations.
5 quarter credits
PSY8130
Specialization Course Adult Learner in the Classroom
5 quarter credits
This course is a critical appraisal of the theories, research, and fundamental tenets associated with the education of adult students. In particular, students examine adult learning theories associated with cognition, intelligence, and motivation; the influences of technology, culture, community, and society on adult students; effective instructional and assessment methodologies appropriate for adult students in traditional, distance, and hybrid environments; and strategies for effectively communicating and building positive professional relationships with adult students.
5 quarter credits
PSY8150
Specialization Course Exceptional Children in the Classroom
5 quarter credits
In this course, students examine different disabling conditions in children and adolescents and study their theoretical perspectives, characteristics, etiology, assessment, and remediation. Students also explore recent trends in the field, research-based interventions, and the predominant special education law that impacts the practice of school psychology. Prerequisite(s): PSY8338.
5 quarter credits
PSY8626
Specialization Course Multivariate Statistics: Theory and Application
5 quarter credits
Students investigate the theory and application of multivariate statistics, including discriminant analysis, factor (components) analysis, multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA), and logistic regression. Using JASP, students perform and interpret the results of these analyses. Students also apply multivariate analysis, analyze and understand research results in peer-reviewed psychology journals, and utilize JASP to produce output consistent with the correct parameters and assumptions of specific multivariate procedures. In addition, students evaluate the mathematical aspects of multivariate and inferential statistics theory and application. Prerequisite(s): RSCH8625 or PSY8625.
5 quarter credits