Course descriptions may be updated periodically to reflect changes since the last published catalog.
Course Number Name
PSYCH-000 Advanced Dissertation Residency...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

0.00

Description

Provides full-time enrollment status for students who have completed all content courses, and who are working on dissertations, but who are not on internship. At the discretion of the DCT, a practicum course may be taken concurrently with Psych 000. This course is NG (not graded).

Term Offered

Offered Both Fall and Spring

PSYCH-001 Early Research Project Continuation...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

0.00

Description

Provides full-time enrollment status for students whose ERPs are one or more semesters overdue. At the discretion of the DCT, a single practicum course may be taken concurrently with Psych 001.

Term Offered

Offered Both Fall and Spring

PSYCH-701 Summer Practicum I...

Prerequisites

PSYCH 741 and approval from the Director of Clinical Training

Course Credits

1.00

Description

Optional summer placement following the completion of practicum II. Summer practicum typically begins in May and ends the last week of August. Students complete 20 to 40 hours per week of placement service and training activities. Students shall receive individual and group supervision commensurate with the requirement for direct contact support. Includes more advanced clinical training in selected areas of psychotherapy, evaluation, testing, research, supervision and consultation. Normally offered every Summer Session I.

Term Offered

PSYCH-711 Scientific Writing for Psychological Sciences...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Intensive training in the process of psychology-orientated scientific writing. Topics include basic style and structure, disciplined writing practices, effective revision, peer-review process, and giving receiving constructive feedback. By the end of the course students will have completed (or nearly completed) a literature review paper worthy of submission to a scientific journal (e.g. Psychological Bulletin). Normally offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-712 Multicultural Psychology...

Prerequisites

Graduate course for Psychology Ph.D. program, approved by department.

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Introduces students to multicultural issues relevant to psychology. Covers a broad range of cultural diversity (sex, age, race, ethnicity, language, religion, sexual orientations, etc.) topics to highlight the role of culture in understanding human behavior and health-related issues. This course intends to strengthen students' multicultural knowledge, sensitivity, and competence in research/professional practice through their exposure to various theoretical/empirical perspectives, media, experiential exercises, etc. Students will acquire in-depth awareness of self and others' worldviews and a better insight into immigrants/minority groups, privilege/oppression, health care access/disparity issues, interpersonal relationship, community health and well being domains.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-714 Dialectical Behavior Therapy...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

In this psychotherapy seminar, students will learn about dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), an evidence-based treatement for borderline personality disorder (BPD). Students will gain knowledge and experience (via role-plays) in behavioral assessment and in all modes of DBT, including individual therapy, group skills training, telephone coaching, and consulation team. Students will explore the theoretical bases of the treatment, as well as gain knowldedge of the empirical basis for DBT's use with various patient populations, including BPD, opioid dependent, chronically suicidal/self-harming, and other populations (inpatients, bipolar disorder, friends and family of seriously mentally ill, etc.). Normally offered alternate years.

Term Offered

Offered Fall Term

PSYCH-715 Psychological Trauma...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

This graduate level course is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the clinical and empirical literature on psychological trauma. Through readings, films, and class discussion we will explore a range of topics including: 1) definitions and the nature of psychological trauma (e.g., the boundary conditions of trauma and the diversity of potentially traumatic events); 2) immediate and long-term consequences of exposure to traumatic events with a particular emphasis on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but also other forms of psychopathology as well as resilience and growth following exposure to trauma; 3) conceptual models of the impact of trauma and etiological models of PTSD; and 4) treatment approaches targeting psychological distress that develops as the result of exposure to trauma with a particular emphasis on empirically supported treatments for PTSD.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-716 Adult Psychopathology...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

This graduate seminar requires students to examine and respond to current thinking and controversies in the conceptualization and categorization of mental disorders generally, and adult disorders in particular. Students will acquire foundational knowledge about the diagnostic characterization, etiology, and epidemiology of the major classes of adult behavior disorders; investigate mental disorders and our current diagnostic system from a variety of different perspectives (clinical, research, biological, sociocultural, etc.); gain significant practice critically evaluating scientific research and in articulating thoughtful responses to social and behavioral research on mental disorders. Normally offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-717 Adult Assessment...

Prerequisites

PSYCH 716

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Focuses on adult clinical assessment within the context of the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Emphasis on the principles and theories of psychological diagnosis. Methods covered in the course include intelligence testing, objective personality assessment methods, and projective personality/emotional assessment methods. Professional presentation of psychological test results, report writing, and case presentation will also be covered. Emphasis will also be placed on integration of interview and historical data with the results of objective/projective psychological test results. Normally offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Fall Term

PSYCH-718 Research Methods and Ethics...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Provides students with foundational skills needed to be both a consumer and producer of psychological research. Topics covered include hypothesis and proposal generation, experimental, correlational and qualitative designs, strategies to minimize bias, measurement issues, participant selection and recruitment, data management, grantsmanship and the dissemination of findings. Ethical issues in the conduct of research are emphasized. Normally offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-719 History & Systems of Psychology...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

The purpose of this course is to trace the origin and development of psychology as a field of study from its philosophical and scientific roots to present day theories. The emphasis will be on critically examining the various systems of psychology, especially as they are translated into psychological practice, and their development in relation to sciences and societies. Normally offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Fall Term

PSYCH-720 Developmental Theory...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

This seminar will present and critique different developmental approaches to behavior and experience. The approaches considered may include: Piagetian theory; organismic-developmental theory; cultural/historical theories; Freudian and neo-Freudian theories; and information processing theory. The implications of these developmental theories for clinical psychology will also be discussed. Normally offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Fall Term

PSYCH-721 Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Introduces students to the concept of empirically informed clinical practice. Topics covered include the history of the evidence-based movement in psychology, an overview of the methods used in scientifically-informed clinical practice (e.g., case conceptualization, treatment planning, ongoing assessment of progress), and an introduction to specific evidence-based principles that can be used in psychotherapy (e.g., exposure therapy, behavioral activation, etc.). Normally offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Fall Term

PSYCH-722 Univariate Statistics...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Introduces basic statistical tests such as t tests, ANOVA, correlation, regression, Chi Square, and power analysis. Students are also required to demonstrate proficiency in computer data analysis using SPSS. Normally offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Fall Term

PSYCH-723 Multivariate Statistics...

Prerequisites

PSYCH-722

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Focuses on multivariate statistics and the interaction of research design and statistical analysis. Emphasis on MANOVA, multiple regression, principle components analysis/factor analysis, and logistic regression. Issues involving experimental and statistical control, multicollinearity, specification error, and nesting will be covered. Students learn basic principles of multivariate analysis, read journal articles using multivariate techniques, analyze data using each main type of analysis covered in the course, and write results and tables using APA style. Normally offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-729 Social Justice, Race, & Ethnicity...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Investigates race and ethnicity as ideological categories that both inform group identity and reproduce social inequalities. The course begins with an overview of the social and historical forces that developed these categories, with a focus on some of the major ethnic groups in the United States. Explores historical and contemporary roles played by psychologists around these issues. Students learn how to individually and collectively avoid perpetuating injustices in the science and practice of psychology. Course topics exemplify how race and ethnicity are inextricably linked to other identity categories, especially gender, class, and sexual identity. Normally offered alternate years.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-732 Social Bases of Behavior and Experience...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Introduces students to the social bases of behavior and experience through examination of some traditional topics from the field of social psychology. These include: social cognition; self-knowledge; self-presention; attitude formation and change; attraction and close relations; altruism; aggression; prejudice and stereotypes; and group dynamics. In addition, the course may include discussion of cross-cultural approaches to healing and the relationship between culture and mental health. Normally offered alternate years.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-734 Multicultural Perspectives on Development...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

A multicultural examination of child and adolescent development in the US. Major developmental tasks (e.g., forming identities, developing emotion regulation strategies, building academic cognitive & social skills) will be examined using both emic (within-group) and etic (cross-cultural) research. Throughout the course, theoretical frameworks emphasizing the ecological and cultural contexts of development will be applied to explore contemporary social and mental health issues related to development and culture (e.g., immigrant adolescent mental health outcomes, ethnic academic achievement gaps). Normally offered alternate years.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-735 Group Therapy...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

This course covers group formats of therapeutic exchange and interpersonal skills training, from a variety of theoretical orientations and evidence-based practices.

Term Offered

Occasional

PSYCH-738 Clinical Practicum & Ethics 1A...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Doctoral students complete an academic year of placement service (9-10 months) at one of the selected practica sites during their second year of academic training. Students complete between 12 and 20 hours per week of placement service to include training in assessment, diagnostic interviewing and intakes, intervention, and applied research with diverse populations. Students will receive on-site supervision by licensed psychologists and other approved professionals. Students participate in a weekly practicum seminar. This didactic supplement to the practicum provides an overview of the legal, ethical, and professional issues currently facing psychologists in practice with diverse populations. Particular attention is paid to training in cultural and individual diversity, along with the ethical concerns related to onfidentiality/ mandated reporting, informed consent, conflicts of interest, boundary issues, and limits of professional competence. Normally offered every fall semester.

Term Offered

Offered Fall Term

PSYCH-739 Clinical Practicum & Ethics 1B...

Prerequisites

PSYCH 738

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Continuation of Practicum & Ethics IA. Normally offered every spring semester.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-740 Clinical Supervision & Consultation 2A...

Prerequisites

PSYCH 738, PSYCH 739.

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Doctoral students complete an academic year of placement service (9 to 10 months) at one of the selected practica sites during their third year of academic training. Students complete approximately 20 hours per week of placement service to include assessment, intervention, and consultation with diverse populations. Students receive on-site supervision by licensed psychologists and other approved professionals. All students will concurrently participate in practicum seminars taught by Suffolk University faculty. The didactic supplement provides a foundation in developing students' knowledge in the areas of consultation and supervision along with continued training in cultural and individual diversity. Normally offered every fall semester.

Term Offered

Offered Fall Term

PSYCH-741 Clinical Supervision & Consultation 2B...

Prerequisites

Psych 738, 739 and 740

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Continuation of Practicum 2A. Normally offered every spring semester.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-746 Child Assessment Diagnosis & Assessment of Children...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Reviews principles and techniques of diagnosis and assessment of children, including the DSM IV, cognitive screening, intelligence, personality, and projective tests. May also include an introduction to specialized cognitive, educational, and vocational testing. Normally offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-747 Adult Neuropsychological Assessment...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Reviews principles and techniques of neuropsychological assessment of adults. Normally offered alternate years.†

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-748 Developmental Psychopathology...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Examines child and adolescent psychopathology from an empirically-based developmental perspective. Reviews major developmental theories to elucidate the role of development in understanding the etiology and diagnosis of DSM-IV-TR disorders. Also focuses on theoretical and empirical literature in developmental psychopathology. Changes in the incidence rates of internalizing (e.g., depression, anxiety) and externalizing disorders (e.g., conduct disorder, attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder) are addressed. Disorders affecting both behavioral and mental functioning (e.g., autism) are included. Family, peer, and contextual/environmental influences are also covered. Normally offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Fall Term

PSYCH-751 Psychopharmacology...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Presents students with an introduction to the field of psychpharmachology. Topics covered will include: the art of prescribing medication; the psychopharmachology of anxiety and psychotic mental disorders (including pediactric and geriactric psychpharmachology); pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy; biopsychosocial factors in drug abuse and addiction. Normally offered alternate years.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-754 Psychotherapy Integration...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Considers the challenges of both practical and theoretical integration across a wide range of psychotherapy approaches and modalities, as well as of integration between psychotherapy research and practice. Special attention will be given to specific practical concerns of interest to students in the class (e.g. fostering clients' explorations of their sexuality, dealing with death and loss). Role playing will be used to explore the similarities and differences -- and possibilities for integration -- among varying approaches to the challenges of psychotherapy practice. Normally offered alternate years.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-764 Cognitive and Experimental Approaches to Emotion...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Investigates theories regarding the function and experience of emotion. This course will survey the historical concepts of emotion in psychology and current theories of emotion, including motivational, cognitive and physiological aspects. The course will also describe research methods used in the study of emotion, including psychophysiology and neuroimaging, as well as clinical implications. Normally offered alternate years.

Term Offered

Offered Fall Term

PSYCH-768 Social Psychology and the Family...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Focuses on the applications of basic social psychological principles in relation to the family. Topics include social cognition, social influence, altruism, aggression, interpersonal attraction and intimacy. Family processes and dynamics, family structural and systems theories, and family related issues of social and cultural diversity are also covered. Communication and persuasion, cognitive dissonance, and attribution are addressed. Normally offered alternate years.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-772 The Teaching of Psychology...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Examines current theory and research on effective teaching of psychology. Surveys a variety of teaching techniques, tools, and methods for leading discussions, lecturing, assessment, and grading. Additional topics include: learning styles in the classroom, student diversity, development of critical thinking, and ethics in college teaching. Normally offered alternate years.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-774 Child Therapy...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Examines the principles and practice of psychotherapy with children. Attempts are made to delineate the similarities and differences between child and adult approaches as well as to expose the student to various theoretical perspectives on child therapy with an emphasis on one orientation. Normally offered alternate years.

Term Offered

Offered Fall Term

PSYCH-777 Advanced Clinical Practicum...

Prerequisites

PSYCH 741 and approval from Director of Clinical training.

Course Credits

1.00

Description

Consent of DCT is required to enroll. Concurrent enrollment in other content courses or Psych 000 is permitted. This course is graded P/F.

Term Offered

Offered Both Fall and Spring

PSYCH-779 Acceptance and Mindfulness in Psychotherapy...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Examines the contemporary movement integrating acceptance (willingness to experience thoughts, emotions, physiological sensations and images) and mindfulness (intentional and non-judgmental awareness of the present moment) into traditional cognitive and behavioral approaches to case formulation and treatment. Topics include analysis and discussion of the theoretical underpinnings of this movement, examination of specific emerging therapies, and exploration of the application of these therapies to a variety of clinical problems. Normally offered alternate years.

Term Offered

Offered Fall Term

PSYCH-780 Early Research Project Preparation...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00- 9.00

Description

Intended for students who are working on their Early Research Project. This course is graded P/F. Offered every semester.

Term Offered

Offered Both Fall and Spring

PSYCH-781 Comprehensive Exam Preparation...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Intended for students who are preparing for comprehensive exams. This course is graded P/F. Offered every semester.

Term Offered

Offered Both Fall and Spring

PSYCH-782 Dissertation Proposal Preparation...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00- 6.00

Description

Intended for students who are preparing for their dissertation proposal. This course is graded P/F. Offered every semester.

Term Offered

Offered Both Fall and Spring

PSYCH-783 Dissertation Research...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00- 6.00

Description

Intended for students who are preparing for their dissertation proposal. This course is graded P/F. Offered every semester.

Term Offered

Offered Both Fall and Spring

PSYCH-789 Special Topics in Neuropsychology: Seminar in Neuroimaging...

Prerequisites

Offered Off campus at Boston University

Course Credits

3.00

Description

This course will feature rotating content in an advanced and more specialized area of neuropsychology. Specific topics are announced when the course is scheduled.

Term Offered

PSYCH-790 Child Neuropsychology I...

Prerequisites

inactive course July 27 2006 11:04am Michael Spooner

Course Credits

3.00

Description

In this course, we examine major disorders of cognitive development in children. The disorders are characterized in terms of their distinctive profiles of neuropsychological deficits and brain abnormalities. Topics to be covered include: genetic, metabolic, and toxic disorders, as well as underlying entities such as dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, nonverbal learning ability, and autistic spectrum disorder. The course is taught by esteemed professionals who are actively engaged in clinical practice and/or research. Held at the Boston University School of Medicine.

Term Offered

PSYCH-792 Introduction to Neuropsychology...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Introduces the specialty area of neuropsychology. Includes the scope of neuropsychology, the difference between neuropsychology and related difference and subspecialties, different historical and theoretical approaches to neuropsychology, as well as credentialing requirements for the practice of neuropsychology. Introduction to research techniques used to investigate brain-behavior relationships, ethical issues, and the role of the neuropsychologist in clinical and rehabilitation settings. Covers the nervous system, the role of neurotransmitters, brain structures and associated functions, how different instruments are used to assess those functions, and how neuropsychological interventions are formulated and implemented. Normally offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Fall Term

PSYCH-793 Adult Neuropsychological Syndromes...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Provides an introduction to adult neuropsychological syndromes in terms of their prevalence, etiology, hypothesized mechanisms, and neuropsychological manifestations. Normally offered alternate years.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-795 Human Neuropsychology I...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Researchers from the Boston Veterans Administration Hospital lecture on various topics including: neuropsychological assessment; plasticity in development; aphasia; apraxia; attention deficit disorder; aging; memory; dementia; bilingualism; epilepsy; and pain. Held at the Boston Veterans Administration Hospital in Jamaica Plain. Normally offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Fall Term

PSYCH-796 Human Neuropsychology II...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Continuation of PSYCH 795 at the Boston Veterans Administration Hospital in Jamaica Plain. Normally offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-797 Functional Neuroanatomy...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00

Description

Provides students with a comprehensive overview of functional neuroanatomy, as well as an introduction to neuropathology, neuroepidemiology, and the neurobehavioral consequences of congenital and acquired neurological diseases and disorders. Teaching strategies will include lectures, human brain lab, directed readings, and neurosciences software programs. Held at Boston University School of Medicine. Normally offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Fall Term

PSYCH-801 Internship...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

1.00

Description

Provides full-time enrollment status for students who are on pre-doctoral internships. This course is graded P/F.

Term Offered

Offered Both Fall and Spring

PSYCH-900 Advanced Respecialization Practicum...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

1.00

Description

Provides full-time enrollment status for Respecialization students who have completed all content courses and who are pursuing additional practicum training prior to predoctoral internship. Consent of DCT is required to enroll. Concurrent enrollment in other courses is not permitted. This course is graded P/F.

Term Offered

Offered Both Fall and Spring

PSYCH-910 PSYCH Independent Study...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

3.00- 6.00

Description

Consists of the intensive study of one aspect of clinical psychology and/or human development in consultation with a faculty member.

Term Offered

Offered Both Fall and Spring

PSYCH-L716 Introductory Practicum Lab...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

0.00

Description

This is a pre-practicum lab associated with Psych 716 (previously linked to Psych 721), with enrollment only by invitation of the DCT. This is an optional course graded P/F.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-L718 Clinical Psychology Lab I...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

0.00

Description

Provides students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology an extended introduction and orientation to the program and to the field of clinical psychology. Enrollment by invitation of the DCT only. The lab will be graded P/F. Offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term

PSYCH-L720 Clinical Psychology Lab II...

Prerequisites

Course Credits

0.00

Description

Continues the orientation and early skill development of students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology. Provides a lab experience within which to explore and develop initial skills preparatory for practicum experience in year 2. Enrollment by invitation of the DCT only. This lab will be graded P/F. Offered yearly.

Term Offered

Offered Spring Term