Plan of Study – MSCP Clinical Psychology

Statistical and psychometric concepts such as properties of the normal curve, measures of central tendency and dispersion, score standardization, norms and interpretation of test scores, reliability, and validity. Calculation of selected measures. Emphasis is on the integration of these concepts and measures with the use of standardized psychological tests. The course is intended to prepare students who do not have undergraduate course work in statistics for PSY 5300 and subsequent assessment courses. Prerequisite: admission to the MSCP program.

An introduction to contemporary psychoanalytic theory: an historical review of the development of the theory, grounding in its philosophical underpinnings, and an appreciation for areas of current debate. Overview of the main schools of psychoanalytic thought with a focus on psychoanalytic concepts of special relevance to clinicians conducting assessments and treatment with child and adult patients. Current empirical research concerning psychoanalytic treatment and concepts is considered. Prerequisite: admission to MSCP program.

The fundamental issues and concepts within assessment, including test validity and reliability, with a focus on the adult patient. Students learn the administration, scoring, and interpretation of those instruments used to assess cognitive and intellectual functioning. Emphasis on the development of sophisticated, multi-level interpretations of assessment data, awareness of professional and ethical issues inherent in assessment, and the need for special considerations in assessing diverse groups. Prerequisite: admission to MSCP program.

An introduction to the major non-psychoanalytic theoretical approaches in clinical psychology, including cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, and family systems. Focus is on each approach’s philosophical assumptions about the individual, historical background, and key theoretical constructs. Discussion of research and clinical approaches (both child and adult) consistent with each approach, with efforts to focus on areas of overlap and difference among various approaches. Prerequisite: PSY 5100.

A rigorous introduction to both the theoretical content used to comprehend early pathology and the clinical processes employed in diagnosis and formulation: biological, cognitive, affective, and relational contributions to childhood psychopathology. The impact of multicultural factors upon diagnosis and the clinical presentation of the various syndromes is considered. Prerequisite: PSY 5600.

An introduction to the nature of psychopathology in adults and an in-depth study of the major diagnostic categories: issues in the definition of psychopathology in adults; approaches to clinical diagnosis of psychopathological syndromes; clinical syndromes: their major symptoms, courses, prognoses, with current understandings of each disorder’s etiology and phenomenology. The impact of multicultural factors upon diagnosis and the clinical presentation of the various syndromes is considered. Prerequisite: admission to MSCP program.

Two areas within the broad field of neuroscience (the biological bases of behavior): neuropsychology, the study of brain-behavior relationships, and psychopharmacology, the study of the behavioral effects of interaction between exogenous chemicals (drugs) and the brain’s own neurotransmitters. Approaches to and methods of neuropsychological testing and pharmacological treatment with both child and adult patients. Prerequisite: admission to MSCP program, PSY 5780, or permission of instructor.

The second semester of the three-semester assessment sequence. The rationale and development of projective tests, their reliability and validity, and considerations in their use, including their applicability to diverse groups; training in administering and interpreting projectives with adults. Questionnaire methods of assessment, with training in administration and interpretation of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2). Emphasis is on teaching an approach to testing that prepares psychologists to evaluate and select tests they need in their practice. Prerequisites: PSY 5400 and PSY 5010 or completion of an equivalent statistics course with a minimum final grade of a B (3.0) or a passing score on the department’s statistics placement exam.

Using background gained through participation in Assessment I and II, Assessment III is a comprehensive survey of the issues and skills involved in the assessment of children, emphasizing the development of a sophisticated portrait of the child’s functioning in all clinically-relevant domains. Tests covered include the WISC, WIAT, Rorschach, CAT, etc. Students complete a comprehensive assessment with a child patient. Prerequisite: PSY 5410.

The basic skills required for effective interventions, with an emphasis on pragmatic elements: basic clinical technique; attending to clinical material on several different levels simultaneously; consideration of the current material in the larger context of the overall case formulation and treatment objectives, as well as the individual's cultural, economic and racial background. Discussion of the process of choosing and combining interventions from various theoretical models. Instruction in what constitutes adequate empirical support for treatment approaches and techniques. Prerequisite: PSY 5100 with a final grade of B or higher.

Psychotherapeutic intervention with children and families requires a nuanced understanding of child development and psychopathology, as well as the dynamics of the individual child, the parent-child dyad and the larger family unit and the family’s diverse background. This course will provide students with conceptual and technical frameworks in which to choose and carry out such interventions from an array of treatment perspectives. It will also enable students to analyze empirical literature related to interventions with children. Prerequisite: PSY 5780.

A thorough examination and analysis of the ethical dimensions of professional practice, with a focus on sound decision making processes across varied work settings. Topics covered include confidentiality, informed consent, and privileged communication. Additionally, the various entities that govern practice (licensing boards, etc.) are discussed, so that the student may understand their role and function. Prerequisite: admission to MSCP program.

Advanced knowledge and skills related to quantitative research in clinical psychology: basic research designs, univariate and bivariate statistics, and data analysis. Introduction to multivariate research design, statistical analysis, and clinical research design and measurement. Application and synthesis of these concepts through review, summary and critical analysis of clinical psychology research articles, and through analysis and interpretation of existing databases. Prerequisite: admission to MSCP program or permission of instructor.

The first semester of a three-semester sequence. Students attend a weekly two-hour seminar while completing a 15-hour per week practicum experience in an agency where they provide clinical services. Hands-on learning of case formulation through presentation of their cases, clinical interaction, and clinical technique. Selected consultants may attend seminars to respond to case presentations. Topics to be covered this term include: methods to begin treatment or evaluation; assessing suitability for various interventions; making recommendations; developing helpful relationships with supervisors and staff; and elements of clinical listening and ongoing case formulation. Prerequisites: PSY 5110; PSY 5400 and PSY 5410, each with a grade of B (3.0) or higher; PSY 5600; PSY 5780; and program approval.

The second semester of the three-semester practicum sequence, with 15-hour per week clinical experiences. The seminar focuses on issues related to conducting treatment in established cases, with special attention towards clinical listening, identification of transference themes, and making appropriate interventions. Additional focus on appropriate documentation, ethical concerns raised in treatment, and liability issues, as well as students developing the ability to reflect upon themselves and their reactions to clinical interactions. Prerequisite: PSY 5930.

The third semester of the practicum sequence, with 15-hour per week clinical experiences. The seminar focuses on more advanced clinical listening, intervention, and self-reflection skills, with a special focus upon issues related to termination and transfer as students complete their practicum: ways to evaluate treatment progress and the use of termination and transfer as an opportunity to advance and solidify treatment gains. Prerequisite: PSY 6930.

Original research on a topic of significance in clinical psychology, to be approved by the thesis advisor: a thorough literature review, formulating a research question or hypothesis, selecting the appropriate research design and methods, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results in light of the hypothesis, and drawing conclusions. Preparation of the written thesis. Optional oral presentation and defense of findings to the thesis committee. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.