Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
The Department of Clinical Psychology and Gerontology offers programs leading to the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (Option 1) and in Clinical Psychology/ Marital and Family Therapy (Option 2). These exciting master's program are based upon the scientist-practitioner model and provide training, research, and personal growth in the field of Clinical Psychology and Marital and Family Therapy (preparation for MFT licensure). The programs emphasize both theoretical and experiential learning, and acquaint students with the major approaches to clinical psychology, counseling, and psychotherapy. The Department also offers a Master's degree in Gerontology.
Five prerequisite undergraduate foundation courses may be obtained at Notre Dame de Namur University or transferred from other accredited institutions. The two program options are:
Option I: The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
This degree program consists of 35 units. This option prepares students for doctoral studies in the field of psychology or may serve as a terminal degree for master's level mental health professionals in a broad range of clinical or administrative settings. Courses review those skills and topics most useful to the beginning mental health practitioner.
Option II: The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology/Marital and Family Therapy
This degree program consists of 58 units. The program meets the educational requirements for MFT licensure as defined by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). For MFT licensure, the BBS presently requires 3000 hours of field practicum experience. A maximum of 1300 hours may be acquired prior to graduation. The 58 unit MACP/MFT program provides 500 hours of field practicum experience, to be gained concurrently with enrollment in Case Seminar. Approved training sites include government agencies, nonprofit agencies, schools, and licensed health facilities. Additionally, personal psychotherapy is strongly recommended during the program.
Courses review the highly specific range of skills required by the beginning practitioner, prepare the student for the MFT licensing exams, and also address the needs of any students who desire to continue study in a doctoral psychology program. Unique Elective Tracks in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Psychology, Health Psychology, and Clinical Gerontology provide opportunities for further student specialization.
Clinical Tracks
These areas of specialization include the following 3 unit courses:
Psychodynamic Psychology: Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Advanced
Analytical and Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy, and Depth Psychology
Clinical Health Psychology: Lifespan Development, Brain Science
and Emotion, and Principles of Clinical Health Psychology
Cognitive Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychotherapeutic
Techniques of Brief Therapy, and Behavioral Medicine
Clinical Gerontology: Psychopathology, Brain Science and
Emotion, and Principles of Clinical Health Psychology
These courses may be taken through special arrangement with the Program Director pending availability and resources.
Program Requirements
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology / MFT Course Descriptions
The following course descriptions are accompanied by the legal statute numbers which govern the licensing of Marital and Family Therapists in California by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, and which therefore control the course content of any qualifying master's or doctoral programs that train students to be licensed MFTs.
CP204 Group Psychotherapy (1)
Explores the composition, development, and process of the group
as a vehicle for individual and social change including a cursory
survey of current group methodologies. The development of effective
group membership and leadership skills is emphasized. BBS 4980.40
(2)
CP210A/B Psychopathology (3/3)
Prerequisites: PY001, PY101, and PY168/ CP210A.
This two-semester course focuses upon the diagnostic system of psychological
disorders outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders IV-TR. The major paradigms of mental distress are thoroughly
reviewed and students are trained in the use of Mental Status Exams,
five axis diagnostic criteria, and differential diagnoses. BBS 4980.37
(a-1). Effective Fall 2007, this sequence will be two units (A) and two units(B).
CP230 Cross-cultural Issues (2)
Explores the effects of ethnicity on the counseling process, with
attention to the unique cultural traits of various minority groups,
focusing upon culturally appropriate interventions and an awareness
of multicultural dynamics in a larger society. BBS 4980.37 (a-7)
CP232 Neurophysiology and Psychopharmacology (2)
Prerequisites: PY001, PY161, and PY168.
This course introduces the basic components of the brain and the
central nervous system, focusing upon the role of sensation, perception,
learning, mood, and memory in mental health. A review of the range
of psychotropic medications used in the management of psychological
health is included. BBS 4980.81 (g)
CP235 Human Sexuality (1)
Prerequisite: PY168.
Analysis of normal and dysfunctional sexual behavior with attention
to diagnosis of sexual problems and to the major approaches to sex
therapy. BBS 4980.81 (c)
CP256 Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (3)
Prerequisites: PY001, PY101, PY168, and CP280.
Provides a clinical survey of psychodynamic psychotherapy, addressing
the nature of the psychotherapeutic relationship, transference,
counter-transference, and conscious and unconscious processes. Psychodynamic
perspectives including Freudian, Jungian, Ego Psychology, Object
Relations, and Self Psychology are introduced as the integrative
foundations of other major schools of psychotherapy including cognitive-
behavioral psychology and humanistic psychology. BBS 4980.37 (a-5)
CP259 Lifespan Development (3)
Prerequisites: PY001, and PY161.
Analysis of major approaches to the study of human development from
infancy to old age, reviewing specific family life events and the
psychological implications of developmental milestones such as childbirth,
childrearing, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, marriage, divorce,
blended families, parenting, and gero-psychology. Includes ten hours of coursework in aging and long term care. BBS 4980.40 (3)
CP273 Diagnosis and Treatment of Addictions (1)
Prerequisite: CP232.
Identifies and defines the addiction syndrome, examines the physiological,
psychological, and social variables considered in making a diagnosis
and discusses the legal, ethical, and financial constraints involved
in making a referral. BBS 4980.81 (d)
CP280 Principles of MFT (3)
In-depth study of marital and family therapy, focusing on salient theories, problems, and critical issues from all major psychotherapeutic orientations, including family systems therapy and behavioral-cognitive therapy. BBS 4980.37 (a-3), 4980.40 (1,2)
CP283 Advanced Analytical and Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy
(3)
Utilizing classical and contemporary works, this course examines
advanced topics in analytic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. It
emphasizes deepening one's understanding of the human psyche (of
self and other) to enrich psychotherapeutic practice and to alleviate
suffering. It focuses on treating individuals with complex issues
that have thwarted development and individuation. Topics germane
to practice are surveyed and may include: character styles, trauma,
infant and adult development, affect, symbols, attachment, addiction,
therapeutic impasses, and the use and misuse of transference and
counter-transference. BBS 4980.37 (a-4,6)
CP284 Depth Psychology (3)
This course orients students to core dimensions of depth psychology
and related topics. As such, it emphasizes understanding and experiencing
the complexity and mystery of the human psyche and its myriad cultural,
biological, anthropological, spiritual, philosophical, and psychological
dimensions. Contributions from the sciences and humanities are integrated
to illuminate aspects of the psyche, the unconscious, and the human
condition, inside and outside of the clinical setting. Related topics
may include: creativity and the imagination, ancient and contemporary
healing arts, the mind-body-spirit-soul relationship, dreams, spirituality,
nature, and culture. BBS 4980.37 (a-4,6)
CP285 Psychotherapeutic Techniques of Brief Therapy (2)
Prerequisites: PY101, PY161, and PY168.
Describes a nonnormative model of behavior focusing on the presenting
problem of the client. Discusses strategic therapy: problem-and-solution-focused
approaches to behavior change derived from communications theory
and family systems theory. Demonstrates techniques to achieve significant
change swiftly through use of a one-way mirror lab. BBS 4980.40
(1)
CP286 Couples Psychotherapy (3)
Offers an introduction to psychotherapy with couples. Reviews effective
couples therapy techniques including object relations theory. Predictors
of successful relationships, developmental aspects of couples relationships,
cross-cultural issues, and the concerns of nontraditional couples
are explored. Identifying domestic violence and spousal abuse and
exploring techniques for preventing violence in the home, as well
as necessary interventions to ensure domestic safety are discussed.
BBS 4980.81 (e), 4980.40 (2) (3)
CP290 Professional Ethics and Law (3)
Prerequisites: CP210A, and CP210B.
This course examines ethical and legal standards, codes, and issues
within the mental health professions, and their relevant professional,
clinical, and personal dimensions. While covering legal and ethical
issues requisite for licensure, it also emphasizes personal and
professional development as an integral part of cultivating an ethical
attitude within the field of psychology. BBS 4980.81 (a,1-5)
CP291 Clinical Child Assessment and Treatment (3)
Prerequisites: PY001, PY161, and PY168.
Focuses on developmental theories and intervention techniques in
the clinical diagnosis and treatment of the child in distress or
the child who may have been abused. Addresses the concept of the
individuality of the child in the context of both a developmental
and familial-social framework. Introduces the use of the clinical
interview, and some of the basic objective and projective assessment
tools, and provides initial experience in psychological testing
with children. BBS 4980.40 (4), 4980.81 (b, f)
CP292 Clinical Assessment of Adults (3)
Prerequisites: PY001, PY161, and PY168.
A review of the basic principles of psychological measurement of adults, providing an introduction to, and experience with, the most commonly used projective and objective psychological testing instruments. BBS 4980.81 (f)
CP293 Brain Science and Emotion (3)
This course examines the mysterious underpinnings of human emotional
life and links the analysis of the brain mechanisms of emotion and
motivation to the wider context of the nature and functions of emotion,
how emotions evolve, and how the reward and punishment systems in
the brain govern behavior. Addressed here are the wider issues of
what emotions are, why we have emotions and pleasure, and why emotions
may not always appear to be adaptive in humans. Cross-listed with GR293. BBS 4980.37 (2,
6), 4980.40 (3)
CP294 Principles of Clinical Health Psychology (3)
This course focuses upon the holistic psychological factors related
to health, illness, and alternative approaches to health care. Emphasis
is upon the important psychological, behavioral, social, and environmental
concomitants of physical symptoms, chronic and life threatening
illnesses, and therapeutic treatment and rehabilitation. Psychology's
role in primary care, consultation-liaison psychology, and the role
of psychology in the prevention and treatment of specific illnesses
is examined. BBS 4980.40 (1) 4980.37 (5)
CP296 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (2)
Prerequisite: CP285.
Reviews the most commonly used approaches to psychotherapy, focusing
upon the quality of mental representations held by the individual,
and how these representations initiate and control both behavior
and affect. Students explore the specific range of cognitive-behavioral
interventions that have proved most successful in alleviating distress.
BBS 4980.40 (1)
CP297 Behavioral Medicine (3)
Students are introduced to the most exciting of the new behavioral
medicine techniques in this rapidly evolving field, learning practical
approaches that promote health, prevent illness, and restore functioning.
Emphasis is on developing competence in psychophysiology, biofeedback,
and other practical techniques that apply technology and psychological
principles to help individuals gain voluntary control over their
physiological processes. BBS 4980.37 (5)
CP298 Abuse in Family Systems (2)
This course meets the legal requirements of the Board of Behavioral
Sciences for seven class hours devoted to the diagnosis and treatment
of child abuse and 15 class hours devoted to the study of the diagnosis
and treatment of domestic violence.
CP320A/B Clinical Practicum (3/3)
Prerequisites: MA011, CP204, CP210A, CP210B, CP230, CP232, CP235, CP256, CP259, CP273, CP280, CP285, CP286, CP290, CP291 or CP292, CP296, and CP298/CP320A.
This two semester sequence of supervised practicum in the field
provides 20 hours weekly (250 hours per semester) of face-to-face
counseling experience with children, adolescents, adults, couples,
and families in community agencies, schools, detention centers,
and hospitals throughout the Bay Area. This clinical field placement
meets the requirements of the Board of Behavioral Sciences for ongoing
experience in the use of applied psychotherapeutic techniques, assessment,
diagnosis, crisis intervention, and the treatment of individuals
in need. BBS 4980.40 (b,1,2, B, f, g), 4980.42 4980.43
CP321A/B Clinical Case Seminar (3/3)
Prerequisite: CP321A.
Corequisite: CP320A/CP320B
This two-semester sequence accompanies CP320A/B and provides an
intensive small- group seminar setting within which students may
discuss their field placement experiences and their cases. Students
focus on the personal issues involved in transference and counter-transference
in their cases, learn to integrate theory with practice, benefit
from feedback from their colleagues and instructor, learn how to
construct and present case analyses, and explore this opportunity
for profound professional growth. BBS 4980.42, 4980.43, 4980.40,
4980.37 (a,1-7,b), 4980.81 (a-5)
CP322 Advanced Clinical Seminar (2)
Prerequisites: CP320A, and CP321A.
Corequisites: CP320B, and CP321B.
This course provides a series of topical lectures and discussions
in a seminar setting that range across the broad spectrum of clinical
practice and research in the field of Psychology, bringing students
into contact with the most recent and sometimes controversial clinical
issues. BBS 4980.37 (2)
CP359A Research: Methodology (3)
Prerequisites: MA011, CP204, CP210A, CP210B, CP230, CP232, CP235, CP256, CP259, CP273, CP280, CP285, CP286, CP290, CP291 or CP292, CP296, and CP298.
Provides an overview of research design and methodology. Special
emphasis is placed on helping the student understand conceptually
the principles of psychosocial research. Topics include Observation
and Measurement, Study Design and Implementation, and Descriptive
and Inferential Statistics. Course grades are determined by midterm
and final exams, assignments, as well as a first draft of a research proposal.
BBS 4980.37 (2,6), 4980.81 (a-2)
CP359P Research: Proposal (3)
Prerequisite: CP359A.
This course is designed as a workshop to help students develop and
implement their Master's Thesis research projects. Lectures involve
a more pragmatic application of the material presented in 359A.
Writing assignments facilitate students' completing their proposals
in a timely fashion. Students are expected to finish their research
proposals by the end of the semester.
CP359T Research: Completion (3)
Prerequisite: CP359P.
This course enables the student to complete the data collection,
discussion, and conclusion sections of the thesis, in reference
to the hypothesis, and to complete the entire thesis and present at the Graduate Research Conference of NDNU.
CP400 Supervised Field Experience (3)
Prerequisite: CP210A/B, CP290.
Offers supervised practicum hours which are not part of the degree
or certificate program, but that provide the opportunity for the
collection of extra MFT field placement hours after the completion
of 12 graduate units. Students meet with their University Field
Supervisor by appointment after obtaining an approved field placement.
Requires written approval by advisor. BBS 4980.40 (b-g), 4980.42,
4980.43
GR253/453 Biosocialspiritual Aspects of Aging (2/2)
See Gerontology listings
for course description. BBS 4980.40 (3)
GR254/454 Psychotherapeutic Techniques in Aging (2/2)
See Gerontology listings
for course description. BBS 4980.37 (3,5,6)
GR271/471 Dying, Death, and Bereavement (1/1)
See Gerontology listings
for course description. BBS 4980.37 (2), 4980.40 (3)
Admission Requirements
- Students may enter fall, spring, or summer semesters
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- A cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better
- Two academic and two professional recommendations which include a written statement describing the applicant and his/her qualifications for the intended degree
- An autobiographical statement which discusses the applicant's interest in becoming a psychotherapist
- A personal interview may be required