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Master Degree Programs
General Electives: 2 cr. (min.) A student may elect up to 4 credits from other Saint Mary’s University graduate programs, with prior approval of the Program Director. Students may wish to return after graduation to take electives to fulfill course requirements for licensure renewal. HD629 Exploring Spiritual Life Through Literature................................2 cr. HD633 Many Faces of Art: A Psychological Perspective......................2 cr. HD671Women’s Self-Esteem and Spirituality.......................................2 cr. HD672 Claiming Our Spirituality............................................................2 cr. HD674 Religious and Spiritual Development Through the Lifespan........................................................................2 cr. PY600 General Psychology (does not count toward the 48 credits required)................................3 cr.
Master Degree Programs The following titles are representative of short (one-credit) general elective courses available. See the semester course schedule for current offerings. HD585 Meditation..................................................................................1 cr. HD589 Creativity and Self-Renewal......................................................1 cr. HD603 Therapeutic Use of Imagery for Psychological and Spiritual Growth..........................................................................1 cr. HD683 Theory and Applications of Sport Psychology...........................1 cr. HD693 Psychological Transformation and the Spiritual Journey................................................................................1 cr. HD695 Children of Addiction.................................................................1 cr. PY679 Psychology of HIV/AIDS............................................................1 cr. PY599 Professional Psychological Writing............................................1 cr.
Required Course Descriptions
PY613 Counseling Theory and Technique (3 cr.)
PY575 Orientation to the Profession of Counseling (1 cr.)
Prerequisite: PY605 and PY607, PY608 (Pre- or co-requisite)
This course provides an orientation to the profession of counseling. The history and philosophy of the field are covered as well as the roles and settings of professional counselors. Additionally, the developmental process involved with acquiring an identity as a professional counselor will be addressed. PY576 Social Psychology (2 cr.) Prerequisite: Completion of core courses This course is an introduction to the perspectives, research, and empirical findings of social psychology. Topics covered include self and identity, social influence, attribution theory, attitudes and attitude change, personal relationships, gender, age and race, and their application in mental health.
PY630 Advanced Research Methods...................................................2 cr.
PY649 Psychology and the Law............................................................1 cr.
PY643 Humanistic/Existential Counseling Approaches........................2 cr.
PY668 Introduction to Correctional Psychology....................................1 cr.
PY644 Cognitive/Behavioral Counseling Approaches..........................2 cr.
PY671 Child Sexual Abuse...................................................................1 cr.
PY645 Psychodynamic Counseling Approaches..................................2 cr.
PY672 Employee Assistance Counseling.............................................1 cr.
PY654 Chemical Dependency..............................................................2 cr.
PY673 Clinical Use of Hypnosis............................................................1 cr.
PY656 Psychopharmacology................................................................2 cr.
PY674 Living With Experiences of Trauma...........................................1 cr.
PY657 Aging: A Behavioral Sciences Perspective................................2 cr.
PY675 Clinical Issues: Bereavement....................................................1 cr.
PY658 Human Sexuality.......................................................................2 cr.
PY680 Stress Management..................................................................1 cr.
PY605 Developmental Psychology (3 cr.)
Required Practicum Experience: 4 cr.
The course examines characteristic changes in behavior and functioning in each stage of life from conception to death. Physical, cognitive, affective, and social bases of behavior are explored. The elements of professional psychological writing are applied.
PY659 Brief Therapy.............................................................................2 cr. PY663 Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome in Children...........................2 cr. PY667 Developmental Disabilities I......................................................2 cr. PY540 Developmental Disabilities II.....................................................2 cr. PY669 Advanced Psychopathology......................................................2 cr. PY701 Supervising Counselors and Psychotherapists: Theories of Supervision.....................................................................1 cr. PY702 Supervising Counselors and Psychotherapists: Clinical Skills and Practice in Supervision.........................................1 cr.
The student will complete a supervised practicum experience in a counseling or mental health setting under direct supervision. This experience consists of a minimum of 700 hours, usually two semesters of 350 hours each. A practicum supervision seminar class must be taken concurrently. PY695 Practicum I.................................................................................2 cr. PY696 Practicum II................................................................................2 cr.
PY604 Career Counseling: Theory and Procedures (2 cr.) Prerequisite: Completion of core courses This course provides a comprehensive overview of the history and theories of career development as well as an introduction to the procedures used in career development and lifestyle counseling. Career counseling tools and techniques are examined. The interrelationships of life roles are emphasized in career and lifestyle planning.
PY606 Psychophysiology (3 cr.) Prerequisite: Completion of core courses This course examines the basic anatomy of the nervous system, the normal physiological functions of the nervous systems, the biological bases of behavior, behavioral disorders, and brain diseases. The course reviews current research on the role of biological basis of behavior.
PY703 Issues, Ethics, and Research in Supervision............................1 cr.
Integration and Oral Examination
PY704 Clinical Treatment Planning.......................................................2 cr.
The final requirements of the program include the following:
PY607 Theories of Personality (3 cr.)
PY705 Evaluation Methodologies.........................................................2 cr. PY706 Writing for Professional Practice...............................................1 cr.
1. A paper in which the students integrates his or her course, practicum, and other professional experience with a review of current professional research literature.
Major theories of personality are covered as represented by the biophysical, intrapsychic, existential, and behavioral approaches. The elements of professional psychological writing are applied.
PY707 Advanced Multicultural Counseling...........................................1 cr.
2. A final one-hour oral examination based upon the integration paper.
PLT601 Introduction to Play Therapy....................................................2 cr.
Faculty The majority of the faculty members and advisers for the Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychological Services program have earned doctorate degrees. Faculty members are selected for their educational and professional experience and expertise.
PY608 Psychopathology (3 cr.) Prerequisite: PY607 This course examines the healthy personality, maladjustment, transient disorders, anxiety states, psychosis, mood, psychosomatic and personality disorders. The course focuses on the description of the main criteria and associated features of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnostic groups. In addition, etiology, prognosis, prevention, and treatment of the disorders are considered.
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Major approaches to counseling and psychotherapy are analyzed with emphasis on applications in the theoretical relationship. Professional psychological writing style is discussed in this course. PY620 Statistical Techniques and Research Methods (3 cr.) The course provides an overview of research methods commonly used in clinical and counseling psychology. Both research methodology and statistical analysis are reviewed. The course focuses on the interpretation and understanding of research and applied statistical procedures. PY621 Psychological Assessment (3 cr.) Prerequisite: PY620 This course investigates the principles and history of psychological testing, both individual and group, and assessment. Theories of measurement and selected psychological tests and inventories are covered. PY625 Ethics and Professional Issues in Psychology (3 cr.) Prerequisite: Completion of core courses Ethical principles and issues underlying the professional practice of psychology are examined. Attention is focused on the Ethical Principles of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and standards of practice and the related State of Minnesota statutes and rules, and current issues of concern to the field. PY631 Personality Assessment: Adolescent and Adult (2 cr.) Prerequisite: PY621 The course examines and compares various methods of personality assessment of adolescents and adults, including standardized tests, behavioral analyses, and interview techniques. PY632 Child Assessment (2 cr.) Prerequisite: PY621 The course provides a detailed overview of various methods used in assessing social, intellectual, and personality development of children including standardized testing, behavioral ratings, observations, and interview techniques. Practical problems occurring in child assessment are examined. PY633 Personnel and Vocational Assessment (2 cr.) Prerequisite: PY621 This course includes a study of vocational and personnel assessment, including the history, theory, and current utilization of testing. The course covers testing and non-testing approaches to career assessment in a variety of settings.