Department of Psychology
Details and Curricula
Clinical Child Psychology
Required classes for the Clinical Child Psychology concentration are Pediatric Psychology, Child Assessment, Child Modular and Transdiagnostic Therapy, and two additional units of your choice. The clinical child concentration required didactics are enhanced by child-focused research and clinical opportunities which are strongly encouraged. Examples of these include a practicum working with high-risk teens at a continuation high school, pediatric health sites working with youth with comorbid mental and physical health problems, diagnostic assessments for children and adolescents, parent training groups for parents of children with developmental disabilities, social skills groups for teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder and early-onset psychosis, and other opportunities to work with children and teens in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Health and Primary Care Psychology
The Health and Primary Care Psychology concentration will prepare students for future careers in healthcare settings including but not limited to in-patient and out-patient medicine in primary care (family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine) as well as other types of specialty care. The clear strength of this training path is in the concepts of team based care and integrated behavioral health on healthcare teams. The main driver of this career path is the recognition of the intricate role that mental health plays in overall health and wellness. If mental health is ignored in medical care the patient will have less chance of recovering and of good outcomes due to the needed health behavior changes that often accompany the management of both acute and chronic illness.
Neuroscience and Neuropsychology
The Neuroscience and Neuropsychology concentration focuses on the study of brain-behavior relationships and understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying our cognition, behavior, and emotions. This concentration is designed to provide specialized instruction and training for students who want to pursue a career in clinical neuropsychology. In addition to required courses in psychobiology, psychopharmacology, cognitive psychology, and neuropsychological assessment, students will have the opportunity to take additional coursework in neuroscience and neuroanatomy, behavioral neurology, child assessment, and other neuropsychology related topics. Clinical and research experiences in neuroscience and neuropsychology will also be emphasized.
Psychology of Religion and Spirituality
The Psychology of Religion and Spirituality concentration prepares students for clinical work that is sensitive to issues of faith and spirituality, particularly with religious clients. It provides knowledge of the theory and literature in this area from the perspectives of both psychology and religion/spirituality. It is composed of two courses from the Department of Psychology and two courses from the School of Religion, and has no pre- or co-requisites.
Social and Cultural Health Psychology
An important aspect of the Social and Cultural Health Psychology concentration is the interface between psychological science and healthcare, within the context of a culturally diverse society. The concentration deals with the social, cultural, and psychological determinants of mental and physical health. The focus is on the integration of social psychological phenomena and cultural diversity factors that influence behaviors relevant to health. For example, issues related to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and other diversity factors that influence healthcare interactions, quality of care, and health outcome, such as cultural beliefs, biases, and discrimination are examined from a research and intervention perspective.