Master of Arts Degree in Psychology, General Psychology Specialization

In this course, students will examine, compare and contrast key personality theories. Drawing on classic and contemporary sources, students will consider Freudian, post-Freudian, behaviorism, and social learning theories. Students will also examine more contemporary theories on personality, such as those put forth by cognitive, humanistic, and positive psychology.

This course will examine the foundational theories related to cognitive and emotional influences on behavior. Themes to be traced will include process and application of memory, perception, language, problem-solving, decision-making, and creativity. The course will examine how emotion impacts cognition as well as the interactive characteristics of human cognition and affective functioning.

This course prepares the student to deal with essential issues in a multicultural society from both an individual and professional standpoint. Topics to be covered include the emergence of multicultural psychology, considerations for psychological research and testing, and how multiculturalism promotes a plurality of world views and communication styles. The formation and impact of stereotypes and prejudices in the light of establishing and maintaining a cultural identity in a multicultural society will also be examined. Finally, the student will become familiar with differences in access and views on physical and mental health services in different cultures.

Verbal and nonverbal communication and listening skills, as well as the ethics that apply to communication are covered in this course. Communication in the workplace, between couples, and across cultures are also key topics of this course. The student will think critically about what makes public speaking influential and also study the cutting edge in communication, electronic mediated communication.

This course will cover the broad scope of substance use and dependence, and its impact on individuals, families, and society. This includes the costs of substance misuse in terms of lives lost, health problems, and financial losses. You will explore theories and models of both the etiology and treatment of substance use disorders, including the exploration of a variety of both legal and illicit substances, as well as the physiological and psychological processes of dependence. Prescription drug abuse, abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and dietary supplements will also be covered, and gender and diversity issues are highlighted.

This course provides students with a fundamental background in assessment and measurement as well as the ability to evaluate the psychometric strengths and weaknesses of individual psychological tests and measurements, using both conceptual and applied. This course focuses on psychometric principles (e.g. validity and reliability), test and items analysis, test construction, and applications of psychological testing in a wide variety of settings.

This course examines theories and techniques of psychotherapy and counseling in general and their effectiveness when applied to specific diagnoses and special populations. Approaches reviewed include psychoanalytic, client-centered, behavioral, cognitive, existential, Gestalt, contemplative, and integrative. The course also examines proposed models of cultural psychotherapy. Historical bases, underlying personality theories, applications, and case studies for each approach will be considered.

This course focuses on physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development from childhood through adolescence. Students will gain an understanding of the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development that occurs during childhood and adolescence, guided by theories of human development and scholarly literature. Diverse factors that protect, promote, and pose risks to development will be considered. This course will provide students an opportunity to strengthen their information literacy skills, build upon their academic writing skills, and reflect on interventions that promote development for children and adolescents.

This course examines sources, manifestations, and coping models for stress. A special emphasis is put on the role of thought and cognition in mediating stress. Students will develop an array of tools for dealing with stress in themselves and others.

This course introduces the student to evidence-based knowledge on the interaction between nutrition, behavior, and mental health. Various theoretical perspectives on nutrition and health-related behavior change will be introduced. Key behavioral nutrients are identified and the current research on how these nutrients interact with brain functioning and mental health will be assessed. Ethical issues in applying sound scientific knowledge on behavioral nutrition to diverse gender, ethno-cultural and age groups will also be addressed.

This course provides you with a comprehensive exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) and mental health, addressing ethical, technical, and practical dimensions. AI’s role in diagnosing and treating mental health is also examined, highlighting its potential and challenges. Through case studies and interactive modules, you will critically evaluate ethical issues such as privacy, consent, bias, and data security. In this course, you will examine the challenges of using AI in mental health, especially the risks of overdependence. You will develop frameworks to address ethical challenges in human-AI collaboration, focusing on fostering oversight, trust, and accountability.

In this course, you will explore the way in which gender is understood and how it is informed by socialization, physiology, biology, and stereotyping. Gender differences are often overemphasized; in actuality, there are fewer differences than often assumed. Issues of transgender and intersex variations will be discussed minimally, as these topics are the focus of another course. Central to this course will be an opportunity to rethink and reintegrate ideas about gender differences and gender similarities across cultures. Further, the course will conceptualize gender on a spectrum instead of as a binary construct and explore historical milestones in the gender equality movement.

The Capstone course in Psychology is an opportunity to demonstrate a range of professional competencies and communication skills, reflecting the knowledge, critical thinking, sensitivity to ethics and diversity, and appreciation of research that has been acquired during the MA program. The Capstone course culminates in a review of the evidence-based practices related to your specific interests.