Master of Science in Counseling Psychology

Diversity Issues in Counseling Psychology Seminar

Examination of the effects of therapeutic interventions on culturally distinct populations. (3 units)

Professional Practice Seminar I

Emphasis on empathy training and the structure of the therapeutic process through a lecture/discussion/small group format. Students will videotape simulated sessions with one another. Meets two hours per week. Students will be assigned an on-going case. Pass/Fail. (2 units)

Professional Practice Seminar II

Continuation of PSY 501s. Emphasis on various clinical and legal issues related to the practice of psychotherapy. Enables the student to develop the skills necessary to obtain a practicum placement. Prerequisite: PSY 501s. Pass/Fail. (2 units)

MFT Counseling Theory

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

Human Growth and Development

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)

Human Sexuality

Etiology, diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction with an overview of physiology. (2 units)

Human Communications in Group Process

Application of group treatment models to various forms of interpersonal communication. (3 units)

MFT Counseling Techniques

Intervention techniques from a phenomenological, cognitive, behavioral and existential frame of reference. (3 units)

Advanced Research Methodology

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

Advanced Psychopathology

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)

Psychodiagnostics

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

MFT Counseling: Child and Adolescent

Processes of diagnosis, dynamics, and treatment of children and adolescents. (3 units)

Practicum I

Supervised counseling experience in professional settings. Prerequisites: PSY 501s, 502s, 505, 525, and 560. Pass/Fail. (3 units)

Professional Ethics and Law

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

Practicum II

A continuation of PSY 555. Prerequisite: PSY 555. Pass/Fail. (3 units)

Family Therapy I

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)

Family Therapy II

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)

Christian Perspective on Professional Counseling

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

Psychopharmacology

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)

Child Abuse and Neglect: Diagnosis and Treatment

Examines the methods of assessment, reporting, and treatment of physical, sexual, and neglectful child abuse. Pass/Fail. (2 units)

HIV/AIDS Counseling

This seminar examines the clinical, social and ethical issues in counseling persons with AIDS-related problems. In addition to the lecture/discussion format, opportunity for supervised role-playing may be provided. Pass/Fail. (1 unit)

Domestic Violence

Examines the characteristics and treatment of the perpetrators and victims of domestic violence. Pass/Fail. (1 unit)

Addictions Counseling

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)

Aging and Mental Health

This seminar addresses mental health issues in aging populations. Pass/Fail. (2 units)

Pre-Practicum

Supervised counseling experience in a professional setting. An elective course for students who begin counseling as trainees prior to the Fall PSY555 Practicum I course. Prerequisites: PSY 501s, 502s, 505, 525, and 560. Pass/Fail. May be repeated one time for credit.(1 unit)

Community Mental Health Counseling (Required for LPCC License)

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)

Career Counseling (Required for LPCC License)

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)

Empirically-Based Approaches for Treating Adults with Severe Mental Illness (Required for LPCC license)

This course exposes students to empirically based approaches for treating adults with severe mental illness. Students will gain an understanding of the history, goals, techniques, and research outcomes associated with interventions for adults with major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and borderline personality disorder. A specific focus will be on empirically based approaches for severe mental illness, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). (3 units)

Play Therapy for Special Populations (Required for LPCC license)

This course introduces the student to the major theoretical models of play therapy with an emphasis on special populations including children experiencing grief and loss, children placed in foster care, and children who have been physically abused, sexually abused or neglected. (3 units)

Evaluation and Treatment of Compulsive Disorders (Required for LPCC license)

This course offers an intensive study of the biopsychological mechanisms underlying compulsive behaviors. Focus includes eating disorders, sexual compulsions, gambling, and internet addiction. Evidence-based treatment approaches are identified and related to their impact on health, wellness, and recovery. (3 units)

Standard of Care Approaches for Evaluating and Treating Children and Adolescents with Externalizing Disorders (Required for LPCC license)

This course exposes students to empirically based approaches for working with children and adolescents with externalizing disorders, including oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and intermittent explosive disorder. Students will explore the history, goals, techniques, and research outcomes associated with interventions for children and adolescents with externalizing disorders. A majority of the course will be focused on the collaborative problem solving (CPS) approach, multisystemic therapy (MST), parent-child interaction training (PCIT), and parent management training (PMT). (3 units)

Grief & Loss Counseling

This seminar explores the impact of grief and loss as it affects the individual and the family system. A lecture discussion format is utilized. Elective course. Pass/Fail. (1 unit)