M.A. in Psychology[1]

Pursuing Academic Excellence

Goals:

• Prepare students for entrance to doctoral programs in psychology (particularly clinical psychology).
• Prepare students for service careers across a broad-spectrum of psychologically-oriented professions.

Objectives:

Knowledge

1. Understanding of the core theoretical areas of psychology, as delineated by the American       Psychological Association.
2. Understanding of the diagnosis, assessment, prognosis, and treatment of mental disorders.
3. Understanding of the major models of counseling and psychotherapy.
4. Understanding of the basic techniques of counseling and psychotherapy.
5. Understanding of theories and methods of cognitive and personality assessment.
6. Understanding of multicultural models of human behavior.
7. Understanding of basic concepts in statistics, research, and experimental design.
8. Understanding of current methods of clinical and evaluation research.

Skills

1. Skills in applying basic techniques of counseling and psychotherapy.
2. Skills in assessing cognitive and personality functioning.
3. Skills in interpersonal functioning relevant to psychological practice.
4. Skills in evaluating and applying scholarship to practice.

Attitudes

1. Students value both nomothetic and idiographic perspectives in understanding human behavior.
2. Students value both the science and art involved in promoting positive change at the individual, family, and community levels.
3. Students value and respect the diversity of the human experience.
4. Students value self-awareness and its role in effective psychological practice.
5. Students understand the importance of remaining abreast of new developments in the field of psychology.

Valuing Purposeful Lives

Goals:

• Prepare students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.

Objectives:

       Attitudes 

1. Students value making professional contributions that advance psychological practice.
2. Students value open discussions on leading purposeful lives and issues of faith.
3. Students value making professional contributions that promote social justice.

Advancing Diversity

Goals:

• Prepare students for practice in culturally diverse psychological environments.

Objectives:

      Knowledge

1. Understanding the relevance of culture to psychological practice.

2.  Understanding of culture-specific psychological theories and practices. 

Skills

1. Skills in researching psychological theories and practices for diverse cultural groups.
2. Skills in critically analyzing utility of traditional psychological theories and practices in work with diverse cultural groups.

Attitudes

1. Students value engaging in discourse on challenging issues of cultural and social relevance.
2. Students value cultural self-awareness and its role in psychological practice.

Enhancing Personal Growth

Goals:

• Prepare students for meeting professional and personal challenges.

Objectives:

      Knowledge

1. Understanding the relevance of personal well-being to psychological practice.
2. Understanding of personal and professional strengths and limitations.

Skills

1. Skills in meeting deadlines and other professional responsibilities.
2. Skills in self-examination.

Attitudes

1. Students value constructive criticism.
2. Students value life-long personal and professional development. 

Developing Professional Relationships

Goals:

• Prepare students for building professional networks.

Objectives:

      Knowledge

1. Understanding of what professional associations serve field of psychology.
2. Understanding the importance of professional networking.