GRST 501 Introduction to Psych Graduate Studies
A course designed to introduce students to psychology graduate study at Union College. Students will complete entrance writing exercise and receive training in webmail, campus web, and Live Text.

PSYH 502 Counseling Theories and Techniques
Basic theories, types, and techniques of counseling. Practice in individual and group techniques of interviewing.

PSYH 505 Foundations of Chemical Dependency I
Introduction to the foundations of the alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation field.  Emphasis on the roles and responsibilities of the addictions counselor.  Focus is on the first six of the twelve core functions: screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, and basic counseling skills.  Interactive work stressed.

PSYH 506 Foundations of Chemical Dependency II
Introduction to the foundations of the alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation field.  Emphasis on the roles and responsibilities of the addictions counselor.  Focus is on the last six of the twelve core functions: case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, reports and recordkeeping, and consultation with other professionals in regard to client treatment and services.  Interactive work stressed.

PSYH 507 Ethical Issues in Chemical Dependency Treatment
Introduces students to the ethical issues involved in chemical dependency treatment.  Special attention will be given to the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted diseases that frequently infect people who use drugs or who are chemically dependent.  Students will examine treatment options and prevention strategies.  The ethical and legal issues that impact infected individuals as well as the larger community will be explored.  Students are expected to demonstrate respect for the client and an appreciation of individual and cultural differences, including sexual orientation.  They are also expected to explore their own attitudes and biases about HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases.

PSYH 510 Psychology of Addiction
Major emphasis on factors determining the development of addictions, including physiological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions of the addictive process. Also emphasizes intervention and treatment strategies for the various types of chemical dependency and substance abuse.

PSYH 512   Statistics for Mental Health Professionals
This course examines descriptive and inferential statistics with the emphasis on understanding fundamental concepts and applying data-analytic techniques to psychological instruments and mental health literature. Students will gain the knowledge necessary for conducting psychological research activities, reviewing the literature, and understanding psychological tests and instruments.

PSYH 513  Recovery & Relapse
This course is designed to address the diverse issues that are related to the recovery from addiction as an ongoing process involving psychical, psychological, social, intellectual, spiritual, and cultural aspects of the individual.  Major themes of the course include the passages of recovery, relapse prevention principles, relapse warning signs, and the twelve-step approach to recovery.  Using a holistic perspective, students will gain insight into basic recovery principles as they are related to the process and prevention of relapse.

PSYH 515  Quantitative/ Qualitative Methods
The intention of this course is to expand knowledge of the principles of research design across the range of major psychological research strategies, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. It aims to develop understanding of the intrinsic strengths and weaknesses of diverse investigative strategies in psychological inquiry, facilitate educated and analytical appraisal of empirical social science literature, and afford basic knowledge of applying methods in research projects.

PSYH 520  Advanced Psychopathology
Psychological interpretation of and diagnosis of mental disorders. Study of effective psychotherapies and pharmacological treatment for the major disorders based on “standard of care” and effectiveness. This course provides knowledge and practical application in the most effective treatments for mental disorders.

PSYH 550  Practicum in Counseling & Psychotherapy
Students will be provided with supervised experience in an approved placement. The course will provide practical experience and application in counseling and psychotherapy in a variety of settings. Report writing required.

PSYH 560  Theories of Personality
Nature of personality structure and dynamics. Classical psychoanalysis, social psychological, and stimulus-response theories included.

PSYH 561  History and Systems of Psychology
Origins of psychological thought within science and philosophy, tracing the development of systems and theories with German, British, and American psychology.

PSYH 565  Psychology of Exceptionalities
This survey course provides an introduction to various individual exceptionalities, including gifted and talented, learning disabled, mentally retarded, behavior disordered, visually impaired, hearing impaired, communication disordered, physically handicapped, and early childhood handicapped. Specific information presented for each exceptionality includes the following: 1)  etiology; 2)  assessment / identification; 3) characteristics; and 4) basic remediation / intervention techniques.

PSYH 570  Learning Theories for Educators
The major focus of this course is an exploration of how individuals learn, including specific learning theories and their relation to classroom teaching.

PSYH 575  Advanced Behavior Neuroscience
This course provides an in-depth examination of the biochemical, neuroanatomical and physiological bases of human and animal behaviors such as sensory-perception, motor function, language, learning, memory and emotion. Prerequisite: An undergraduate course in Physiological or Biological Psychology, Neuroscience, Neuroanatomy or Neurophysiology: or permission of the professor.

PSYH 581 Special Topics in Psychology
Intensive study of selected topics of interest within the discipline of psychology.  May be repeated for credit as the topic varies.

PSYH 592  Social & Community Psychology
A focus on the social bases of behavior, with particular application to community psychology’s contribution to assessment, prevention, intervention, and evaluation. Students will learn about major concepts in the field that place an emphasis on preventative and promotive strategies. Issues in the planning, implementation and evaluation of community-based interventions will be discussed.

PSYH 600  Advanced Human Development
Psychological development from birth to maturity. Emphasis upon the principal concepts and problems in the development of the individual. Exceptionality and multicultural differences are considered.

PSYH 605  Community Health Psychology
This course overviews key theoretical concepts in health psychology, the multidisciplinary field that integrates biomedical and psychological knowledge to address a range of factors influencing physical and mental health. Common conditions in which biopsychosocial factors contribute to the underlying pathophysiology, disease course, or the individual’s capacity for coping will be discussed. Psychological theories and practices relating to health and illness are also explored.

PSYH 625  Theories of Career Counseling & Development
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of career development as it impacts individuals throughout the life span. Emphasis is placed on career and vocational choice theories, current approaches to career development planning and placement, and social and psychological factors in career decision-making. Formal and informal occupational classifications systems are covered. A great deal of emphasis is placed on practical applications of career theory to school counseling, individual counseling, group guidance, job search and placement, and career adjustment.

PSYH 630 Family Systems Theory
This course examines theoretical approaches including major systems theories, strategies, and techniques of family and relationship therapy. A survey of the development of family and relationship counseling and proponents of the field are studied. Issues of conflict and ethical considerations are examined. The impact of cultural and social forces upon the family system is explored.

PSYH 640  Group Processes
A study of theory and practice in group dynamics. The process and implications of group process, group counseling, and the human potentiality are explored.

PSYH 645  Group Counseling & Psychotherapy
This course is a conceptual and experiential introduction to group dynamics, group counseling approaches and models, issues of group leadership, and group facilitation skills. Consideration is given to the goals of group counseling, composition, phases and research. Includes group counselor orientations and behaviors, appropriate selection criteria and methods, and methods of evaluation of effectiveness.

PSYH 650 Advanced Psychology of Learning
This course demonstrates how learning principles work in both animal and humans and how the study of learning helps solve practical problems, such as improving study skills, improving relationships and nurturing children.

PSYH 660 Ethics & Professional Practice
This course is intended for students enrolled in the graduate psychology program. The content of the course includes ethical standards and values for guiding the professional practice of persons working in the field of mental health. The emphasis will be on ethical principals, code of conduct, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

PSYH 670  Clinical Assessment of Intellectual Functioning
This course is intended for students enrolled in the graduate psychology program. Several intelligence scales will be administered, scored, and integrated for children and adults. Scales include WAIS, WISC, and Stanford-Binet.

PSYH 672 Psychoeducational Assessment
This course provides knowledge necessary for the assessment of students referred due to underachievement, behavioral problems, poor social skills, or developmental delays. The content of the course will include the measurement of development, visual-motor perception, achievement, personality, and social maturity.

PSYH 679 Practicum in Assessment
Students will be provided with supervised experience in administering and scoring assessment instruments in a variety of approved settings. Intellectual, personal-social, occupational, and personality instruments will be administered. Report writing required.