Course Descriptions
PSY 502
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Advanced study of statistical methods in psychology including analysis of variance
and regression. Previous experience with the SPSS statistical program is necessary.
This course is intended for those who have completed an undergraduate statistics
course.
PSY 504
Topics in Developmental Psychology
The goal of this course is to conduct a detailed exploration of several domains
of child development. After reviewing research methodology and overarching theoretical
concerns specific to developmental psychology, the course will focus on physical
and motoric development, cognitive development, social development, emotional
development, and moral development. Starting with a review of the basic developmental
theories applicable to each domain, readings from the current literature on
typical and atypical development will be examined.
PSY 518
Cognitive Neuroscience
This course will cover the physiological processes associated with perceptual
function, attention, memory, language and hemispheric processing. Each topic
will be examined in terms of cognitive issues, neuroanatomical and neurophysiologic
correlates, and methodological approaches. The disruption of these processes
in neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric populations will also be explored.
PSY 519
Child Psychopathology
Survey of advanced child psychopathology with emphasis on literature review and empirically supported treatments.
PSY 520
Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis
Behavior change strategies based on principles discovered in the experimental
analysis of behavior and replicated in the field of applied behavior analysis
will be covered. Specific strategies for accelerating and decelerating various
behaviors will be discussed, along with the theoretical underpinnings of each
procedure. Issues of generalization of behavior change will be explored as they
relate to the ethical use of treatment methodologies. Research strategies will
be included. Part of the educational qualifications required to sit for the
behavior analysis certification examination.
PSY 521
Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
Basic principles of learning as theoretical underpinnings of contemporary applied
behavioral psychology. Behavior change techniques derived from learning theory
widely used in clinical, education, recreational, and family settings will be
examined, and individual group applications compared and contrasted.
PSY 525
Implementing Behavior Analysis in Educational Settings
Clinical practice of applied behavior analysis in a variety of educational and
human service settings will be covered. Topics include the consultation process,
functional behavior in schools, ethics of practice, staff training and behavioral
education in schools. Applications for children who do not have developmental
disabilities will be covered. Part of the educational qualifications required
to sit for the behavior analysis certification examination.
PSY 526
Research, Design and Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis
Research design and the ethical study of human behavior in ABA applications
are covered. Topics include measurement, interpretation of data from a variety
of experiments and ethical issues in research. Part of the educational qualifications
required to sit for the behavior analysis certification examination.
PSY 527
Clinical Applications of Applied Behavior Analysis
Contemporary developments and issues in ABA including behavior change strategies,
recent developments in ABA, generalization and ethical use of treatment methodologies
are addressed. Part of the educational qualifications required to sit for the
behavior analysis certification examination.
PSY 582
Fieldwork and Seminar in Applied Behavior Analysis I
Supervised experience in Applied Behavior Analysis required as part of the BCBA
exam. Experience is in approved sites. Fieldwork contract approval is required.
Seminar is based on fieldwork experience.
PSY 583
Fieldwork and Seminar in Applied Behavior Analysis II
Supervised experience in Applied Behavior Analysis required as part of the BCBA
exam. Experience is in approved sites. Fieldwork contract approval is required.
Seminar is based on fieldwork experience.
PSY 584
Fieldwork and Seminar in Applied Behavior Analysis III
Supervised experience in Applied Behavior Analysis required as part of the BCBA
exam. Experience is in approved sites. Fieldwork contract approval is required.
Seminar is based on fieldwork experience.
Electives
PSY 503
Advanced Psychopathology
Theories of abnormal psychology, in an advanced study of the major forms of
psychopathology. Students will be exposed to the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association). Case studies
and therapeutic intervention strategies will be emphasized.
PSY 505
Research Methods and Design
Prerequisite: Permission of Department Chair only
Integrates research design, data analysis, data interpretation, and APA format
report writing across the two dominant paradigms in contemporary psychology.
The course includes the use of the SPSS statistical software for univariate
parametric and some non-parametric models. The course contains a strong experiential
component to prepare students for thesis writing.
