PhD in Developmental Psychology - Course Descriptions

PSY6010 Concentration Human Prenatal Development 5 quarter credits Learners in this course gain an overview of prenatal and postnatal development through the first three months of life. Learners analyze genetic and reproductive technology and articulate its impact on families and society. Throughout the course, learners demonstrate their knowledge of the stages of prenatal development (embryonic and fetal). Learners investigate various prenatal illnesses and physical problems while considering the impact of prenatal health disparities. In addition, learners engage with research, theory, and culturally relevant best practices related to promoting healthy newborn and infant development. 5 quarter credits

PSY6020 Concentration Advocacy in Child and Adolescent Development 5 quarter credits Learners in this course critically evaluate and apply theory and research to child and adolescent development issues and current topics. Learners analyze the impact of policy and legislation in areas such as education, health, mental health, the military, media, and the economy on child and adolescent developmental outcomes and advocate for issues related to policy and legislation that improve the lives of children and adolescents. Prerequisite(s): PSY6010; PSY6025/PSY7220 or PSY6030/PSY7230. 5 quarter credits

SHB8478 Concentration The Family in Social Context 4 quarter credits Learners examine how families are influenced by the dynamics of the family system and societal factors. Using current family science literature, learners develop critical research skills necessary to evaluate how community systems and policy impact family dynamics. 4 quarter credits

PSY6015 Concentration Lifespan Development 5 quarter credits Learners gain and apply knowledge of lifespan development from infancy through adulthood, including human development processes and milestones while considering individual and cultural differences. Learners evaluate theories and approaches for examining human development and analyze human development processes related to their specialization. Prerequisite: Accelerated Master's Pathway, BS in Psychology/MS in Psychology option learners require special permission for registration and must have completed PSYC3700 and PSYC4101 with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or better. 5 quarter credits

PSY6030 Concentration Adolescent Psychology 5 quarter credits In this course, learners gain and apply knowledge of the developmental stages from early adolescence to emerging adulthood. Learners evaluate and articulate the physical, psychosocial, emotional, sexual, moral, and cognitive changes associated with adolescent development and examine the ways in which adolescent development is influenced by family, society, and culture. Learners also assess the evolving needs of adolescents and apply theory and research in order to recommend appropriate responses to those needs. 5 quarter credits

HS5510 Concentration Survey of Current Issues in Gerontology 4 quarter credits This course provides an overview of the major theories and concepts of gerontology. Learners study the behavioral, psychological, and social effects of aging and their impact on individuals, families, communities, public policy, and leadership. Learners also evaluate current research on aging, advocacy, public policy, and continuum of care, and leadership. 4 quarter credits

HS5514 Concentration Social and Cultural Aspects of Aging 4 quarter credits The focus of this course is on the social, cultural, and ecological influences of aging and the experiences of individuals across the aging spectrum. Learners evaluate the perceptions and treatment of older adults from a cultural perspective and identify cultural biases toward the aging population. Learners also examine the effects of socioeconomic status, rapid social change, ethnicity, and gender on individual and community perception and treatment of older adults. 4 quarter credits

HS5526 Concentration The Family in Later Life 4 quarter credits This course provides an examination of the evolution of the role of the family within a social context. Learners explore family diversity from a cultural, gender, socioeconomic, and leadership perspective. Course topics include family rules; family member roles and functions; intergenerational family relationships; the effects of economic, political, and social policy on family life; and supportive resources for older families. 4 quarter credits

PSY6010 Concentration Human Prenatal Development 5 quarter credits Learners in this course gain an overview of prenatal and postnatal development through the first three months of life. Learners analyze genetic and reproductive technology and articulate its impact on families and society. Throughout the course, learners demonstrate their knowledge of the stages of prenatal development (embryonic and fetal). Learners investigate various prenatal illnesses and physical problems while considering the impact of prenatal health disparities. In addition, learners engage with research, theory, and culturally relevant best practices related to promoting healthy newborn and infant development. 5 quarter credits

PSY6020 Concentration Advocacy in Child and Adolescent Development 5 quarter credits Learners in this course critically evaluate and apply theory and research to child and adolescent development issues and current topics. Learners analyze the impact of policy and legislation in areas such as education, health, mental health, the military, media, and the economy on child and adolescent developmental outcomes and advocate for issues related to policy and legislation that improve the lives of children and adolescents. Prerequisite(s): PSY6010; PSY6025/PSY7220 or PSY6030/PSY7230. 5 quarter credits

PSY6030 Specialization Course Adolescent Psychology 5 quarter credits In this course, learners gain and apply knowledge of the developmental stages from early adolescence to emerging adulthood. Learners evaluate and articulate the physical, psychosocial, emotional, sexual, moral, and cognitive changes associated with adolescent development and examine the ways in which adolescent development is influenced by family, society, and culture. Learners also assess the evolving needs of adolescents and apply theory and research in order to recommend appropriate responses to those needs. 5 quarter credits

PSY7240 Specialization Course Adult Psychology 5 quarter credits Learners in this course analyze major contemporary theories and research on continuity and change from late adolescence through the end of life. Throughout the course, learners apply models and approaches for delivering psychological services to adults in a variety of settings and contexts, including in the workplace, within family, and in social relationships, in order to help those adults negotiate life transitions and increase their psychological well-being and longevity. 5 quarter credits

PSY7421 Specialization Course Cognitive/Affective Psychology 5 quarter credits Learners in this course apply knowledge of theoretical foundations and the basic principles and models of cognitive/affective psychology to mental processes, such as how individuals acquire, process, and store information; how they think, perceive, remember, and learn; and how they experience feelings, moods, and emotions. Learners also demonstrate ways in which the integration of cognitive and affect influence an individual's behavior. 5 quarter credits

PSY6015 Specialization Course Lifespan Development 5 quarter credits Learners gain and apply knowledge of lifespan development from infancy through adulthood, including human development processes and milestones while considering individual and cultural differences. Learners evaluate theories and approaches for examining human development and analyze human development processes related to their specialization. Prerequisite: Accelerated Master's Pathway, BS in Psychology/MS in Psychology option learners require special permission for registration and must have completed PSYC3700 and PSYC4101 with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or better. 5 quarter credits

PSY6025 Specialization Course Child Psychology 5 quarter credits Learners gain and apply knowledge of the developmental stages of children from the prenatal period to adolescence. Learners examine how children develop physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively, and evaluate and articulate the influences of family, society, and culture on child and adolescent development. Learners also assess children's evolving needs and apply theory and research to recommend appropriate responses to those needs. Prerequisite: Accelerated Master's Pathway, BS in Psychology/MS in Psychology option learners require special permission for registration and must have completed PSYC3700 and PSYC4101 with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or better. 5 quarter credits

PSY5115 Specialization Course Human Sexuality 5 quarter credits This course is an exploration of sexuality within the larger context of human experience, emphasizing physical and psychosexual development, cultural diversity, health-related issues, and the application of scientific information to sexual topics and issues. Current issues include sexual deviation, sexual inadequacy, treatment of sexual problems, trauma, sexual identity, gender identity, and reproductive health care. Learners examine scholarly literature related to the implications of these issues and research evidence-based interventions in human sexuality. 5 quarter credits

PSY7510 Specialization Course Psychology of Personality 5 quarter credits This course is an examination of personality development from the perspective of several theoretical orientations: psychodynamic, humanistic/existential, dispositional, and learning theory. Learners analyze and evaluate these theories and consider how other factors such as culture and gender contribute to personality development. This course also allows learners to apply personality theory to their professional practice. 5 quarter credits

PSY5120 Specialization Course Social Psychology 5 quarter credits This course provides an overview of how behavior is shaped and influenced within a social context. Within this framework, learners analyze interpersonal relationships, social cognition, social inference, emotion, and personality. Learners review and demonstrate their knowledge of the social psychology of decision making, attitude formation, and social attribution as they relate to contemporary issues. Learners also apply social psychological theory and research to various clinical, educational, and organizational settings. 5 quarter credits

PSY8626 Specialization Course Multivariate Statistics: Theory and Application 5 quarter credits Learners investigate the theory and application of multivariate statistics, including discriminant analysis, factor (components) analysis, multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA), and logistic regression. Using JASP, learners perform and interpret the results of these analyses. Learners also apply multivariate analysis, analyze and understand research results in peer-reviewed psychology journals, and utilize JASP to produce output consistent with the correct parameters and assumptions of specific multivariate procedures. In addition, learners evaluate the mathematical aspects of multivariate and inferential statistics theory and application. Prerequisite: RSCH8625 or PSY8625. 5 quarter credits

PSY5140 Specialization Course Program Evaluation 5 quarter credits This course provides an examination of the theories, techniques, methods, and processes of program evaluation. Learners synthesize knowledge and skills gained from prior coursework to design a program evaluation, plan its implementation, and communicate the results in appropriate and effective formats. Prerequisite(s): PSY7864 or RSCH7864. 5 quarter credits

PSY6010 Specialization Course Human Prenatal Development 5 quarter credits Learners in this course gain an overview of prenatal and postnatal development through the first three months of life. Learners analyze genetic and reproductive technology and articulate its impact on families and society. Throughout the course, learners demonstrate their knowledge of the stages of prenatal development (embryonic and fetal). Learners investigate various prenatal illnesses and physical problems while considering the impact of prenatal health disparities. In addition, learners engage with research, theory, and culturally relevant best practices related to promoting healthy newborn and infant development. 5 quarter credits

MPH5506 Specialization Course Social and Behavioral Foundations in Public Health 4 quarter credits Learners in this course explore social and behavioral science theories and concepts applied to population health. Learners identify and increase their understanding of the biological, social, economic, behavioral, and environmental factors that influence the health of individuals, populations, and subgroups. Learners also examine the resources needed to develop social and behavioral evidenced-based programs to reduce disparities and improve health. 4 quarter credits

NHS6004 Specialization Course Healthcare Law and Policy 4 quarter credits Learners examine the political, legal, and regulatory issues impacting healthcare organizations and environments. Learners analyze the effects of healthcare policy on health care practice and service delivery, with particular emphasis on the strategies used to monitor and maintain legal and regulatory compliance. Learners also identify and apply healthcare policy and law concepts that promote organizational improvement. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: BHA4004 or MHA5001 or NHS4000 or NURS4000 or NURS6201 or completion of or concurrent enrollment in NHS5004. RN-to-MSN Care Coordination, Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, and Nursing Leadership and Administration learners must have completed NHS5004, NURS5003, NURS5005, NURS5007. 4 quarter credits

DHA8008 Specialization Course Health Care Policy Processes 6 quarter credits In this course, learners investigate the impacts of health care policy and legislation on the availability of, access to, and cost of U.S. health care. Learners examine the implications and consequences of specific health care legislation; analyze the values and assumptions underlying changing priorities in health planning and resource allocation; evaluate the combined effects of social, economic, ethical, legal, and political forces on health care; and assess ways of addressing current gaps in health care policy. 6 quarter credits

PSY7510 Specialization Course Psychology of Personality 5 quarter credits This course is an examination of personality development from the perspective of several theoretical orientations: psychodynamic, humanistic/existential, dispositional, and learning theory. Learners analyze and evaluate these theories and consider how other factors such as culture and gender contribute to personality development. This course also allows learners to apply personality theory to their professional practice. 5 quarter credits

DHA8008 Specialization Course Health Care Policy Processes 6 quarter credits In this course, learners investigate the impacts of health care policy and legislation on the availability of, access to, and cost of U.S. health care. Learners examine the implications and consequences of specific health care legislation; analyze the values and assumptions underlying changing priorities in health planning and resource allocation; evaluate the combined effects of social, economic, ethical, legal, and political forces on health care; and assess ways of addressing current gaps in health care policy. 6 quarter credits

PSY6030 Concentration Adolescent Psychology 5 quarter credits In this course, learners gain and apply knowledge of the developmental stages from early adolescence to emerging adulthood. Learners evaluate and articulate the physical, psychosocial, emotional, sexual, moral, and cognitive changes associated with adolescent development and examine the ways in which adolescent development is influenced by family, society, and culture. Learners also assess the evolving needs of adolescents and apply theory and research in order to recommend appropriate responses to those needs. 5 quarter credits

PSY8150 Concentration Exceptional Children in the Classroom 5 quarter credits This course is an introduction to the topic of learning disabilities and related disorders in the classroom. Learners examine theoretical perspectives, characteristics, etiology, assessment, and remediation of learning disabilities. Learners also explore recent trends and research related to identification and educational treatment practices and topics including concomitant exceptionalities, diversity, service delivery models, and teaching strategies. 5 quarter credits