Course Descriptions
Psyc 6001 Statistics and Design I
The first part of this course focuses on reviewing the principles of research design and research methods. This includes the logic and principles of hypothesis testing, different types of research (non-experimental research, experiments and surveys), research designs, and the basic foundations of measurement theory (not necessarily in that order). After a brief examination of descriptive statistics, we will go on to simple correlation, bivariate regression, and finally, the most general 'univariate' technique, multiple regression. Required course. Prerequisites: none. Credit: 3.0.
Psyc 6002 Statistics and Design II
This course will cover research methods, designs, power issues, inferential statistics, and data interpretation relevant to categorical variables. Within this context, we will examine techniques such as Chi square, t-tests, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and a brief introduction to Multivariate ANOVA. Between-subjects and within-subject designs will be considered. Relevant SPSS applications will also be examined. Required course. Prerequisites: none. Credit: 3.0
Psyc 6003 Multivariate Statistics
Multivariate analyses examine the relations of multiple variables or sets of variables (e.g., multiple independent and/or dependent variables, repeated measurements of the same variable). The first part of the course will continue on from Psyc 6002, covering topics such as discriminant function analysis, survival analysis, and canonical correlation. The second part will introduce the structural equation modeling framework and specific techniques (e.g., factor analysis, path, and growth models). Overall, the course will emphasize conceptual understanding of these techniques: when they are appropriately applied, what they do, and how they are interpreted. Statistical software applications will be included. Students in the clinical program are required to take Psyc 6003 Multivariate Statistics or Psyc 6004 Qualitative Methods. Elective course. Prerequisites: Psyc 6001, 6002. Credit: 3.0
Psyc 6004 Qualitative Research Methods
The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to the qualitative/social constructionist paradigm in psychology and to the use of qualitative methods in psychological research. The course focuses on qualitative methods involving collection and analysis of verbal/linguistic data (e.g., people’s accounts of their experiences and written records and documents). Specific methods discussed include interviewing and use of transcribed or printed texts. These methods are considered in conjunction with the analytic approaches of grounded theory and discourse analysis. Students will have the opportunity to carry out a qualitative analysis project with the aid of computer software designed for this purpose. Elective course. Prerequisites: none. Credit: 3.0
Psyc 6101 Ethical Standards for Psychologists
This course will examine ethical standards for psychologists involved in research, teaching, and applied work based on the most recent version of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists. The course uses a problem-based learning approach in which students research relevant issues and then use the ethical standards to resolve ethical dilemmas. Class meetings will involve little or no lecturing but much discussion, informed by research and the Code of Ethics. Required course. Prerequisite: none. Credit: 1.5.
Psyc 6102 Professional and Ethical Issues in Clinical Psychology
This seminar may be taught by the Practicum Coordinator and introduces students to professional issues and practicum training settings affiliated with the clinical program. Topics covered include licensing requirements and examination in New Brunswick, by-laws of the College of Psychologists of New Brunswick, status and issues of professional psychology in Canada, the practice of clinical psychology, and advocacy and regulatory issues in the profession. Practitioners who are knowledgeable about the practice and regulation of psychology within the province may be invited as guest speakers. In addition, part of the seminar will involve site visits to various practicum settings around the province. This will provide students with an orientation to practicum training opportunities and introduce them to potential practicum supervisors. Required course. Prerequisite: Psyc 6101. Credit: 1.5
Psyc 6202 Adult Psychopathology
This seminar provides an in-depth critique of contemporary psychological theories and research on adult psychopathology. The course has a particular focus on experimental psychopathology across a variety of clinical disorders, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, the anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, dissociative states, eating disorders, and personality disorders. In addition, diagnostic and assessment research will be considered from the perspective of experimental psychopathology. The course objective is to help students build a solid knowledge base in current theoretical and empirical research within adult psychopathology. Implications for clinical assessment and treatment are given less consideration. Required course. Prerequisite: none. Credit: 3.0
Psyc 6203 Psychological Problems of Children and Adolescents
This seminar provides a review of theory and research on a broad range of psychological problems that occur in children and adolescents. The cognitive, emotional, and behavioural presentation of these problems in light of the developmental status of a child or youth will be discussed; gender differences, etiology, comorbidity, and DSM-IV diagnostic criteria will also be considered. Less attention will be given to assessment and treatment implications. Broader issues associated with the science and practice of child clinical psychology (e.g., ethics, diagnosis, role of the family) will also be reviewed. Required course. Prerequisite: none. Credit: 3.0
Psyc 6205 Foundations of Clinical Psychology
The aim of this seminar is to provide an introduction to the main theoretical, assessment, and intervention perspectives in clinical psychology. Topics include concepts and history of abnormality, assessment and diagnosis of psychological disorders, theories of psychopathology, research perspectives in clinical psychology, and models of psychotherapy. Issues related to individuals, couples, and families as well as gender and cultural sensitivity in these areas will be discussed. Emphasis is placed on conceptual/foundational issues rather than on specific techniques. This course is intended to prepare students for more advanced courses in the clinical domain. Required course. Prerequisite: none. Credits: 3.0
Psyc 6211 Assessment Skills with Children and Adolescents
The goal of this clinical skills course is to provide students with core knowledge and initial skills relevant to the psychological assessment of children and adolescents. Seminar topics include reviews of various assessment procedures and specific instruments used with children and youths (e.g., interviews, intelligence and academic skills tests, behavioural rating scales, self-report measures); and discussion of key issues (e.g., combining data from multiple sources) and ethical and professional situations that may arise during assessments. Students will also have an opportunity to acquire beginning skills in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of instruments often used with school-aged children and adolescents (e.g., the WISC-IV, WIAT-II) and with report writing. Required course. Prerequisite: none. Credit: 3.0. Estimated number of practicum hours: 20
Psyc 6212 Assessment Skills with Adults
This clinical skills course has three main goals. The first goal is to provide training in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of a standard test of adult intelligence. The second goal is to provide training in administration, scoring, and interpretation of an objective test of personality. The third goal is for students to gain familiarity with other selected tests of cognitive functioning and personality. The current status of the intelligence concept and the role of intelligence testing in clinical assessment will also be examined, along with an appraisal of personality tests and their clinical uses. Required course. Prerequisite: none. Credit: 3.0. Estimated number of practicum hours: 20
Psyc 6214 Neuropsychological Assessment Skills
This skills course takes the basic knowledge and thinking of Psyc 6204 to the next stage. Students learn to administer neuropsychological assessment instruments and to interpret the results. The goal is for students to learn to use various types of information in the assessment of the capabilities of individuals and how to draw conclusions about the functioning of these capabilities. To achieve this goal a variety of neuropsychological tests will be practised and students will receive supervision and feedback in their administration and interpretation. The culmination of this course is to conduct testing and interpret results for a client who has sustained damage to the nervous system. Elective course. Prerequisite: Psyc 6204. Credit: 3.0. Estimated number of practicum hours: 20
Psyc 6311 Therapy Skills with Adults
This skills course is designed to equip students with the basic interviewing and psychotherapy skills necessary to intervene with a variety of clinical problems. The first half of the class will be aimed at the acquisition and practice of basic interviewing skills using a micro-counselling approach involving instruction, modeling, and role-playing with feedback. Interviewing skills will be introduced in a hierarchical additive fashion. Feedback will be provided by review of videotapes of role play interviews. Successful interview skill acquisition will be evaluated by a comparison of a pre-tape interview (before any instruction) to a post tape interview and by successful demonstration of interviewing skills with student volunteers taking introductory psychology. The second half of the course will be aimed at facilitating the implementation of basic interviewing and therapy skills. Students will conduct very short term (1-3 sessions) 50-minute sessions with student volunteers in which they will be required to define the problem, establish goals, develop an intervention, and evaluate change. Audiotape recordings will be used to evaluate the sessions. Required course. Prerequisites: none. Credits: 3.0. Estimated number of practicum hours: 20.
Psyc 6312 Basic Therapy Skills with Children
The purpose of this clinical skills course is to provide students with the basic skills necessary for working with children and their parents in clinical settings. The course provides skills training in two broad approaches. The first approach, the dyadic model of assessment and treatment, applies when psychologists work directly with child clients. This course will provide basic training in the skills needed for face to face interactions with children ranging in age from early childhood to adolescence. The second approach, the triadic assessment and treatment model, applies when psychologists work with parents, teachers, or other caregivers to affect change in a child. Basic training will also be provided in this model. The course may take a variety of formats depending on availability of volunteer children and parents, student enrolment, and instructor availability. Past examples include interviewing experience with children and parents and assisting the instructor in delivery of a parenting course. Required course. Prerequisites: none. Credits: 3.0 Estimated number of practicum hours: 20.
Psyc 6313 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Adult Anxiety Disorders
The aim of this advanced clinical skills course is to provide students with knowledge and basic skills in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for adult anxiety disorders. Students will receive elementary training in specific CBT manualized treatment protocols for specific phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder with or without agoraphobic avoidance, social phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and possibly health anxiety. Specialized skills taught in the course include assessment and case formulation for the anxiety disorders, the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV, exposure-based interventions, cognitive restructuring, and relaxation training. Skills will be acquired through assigned readings, didactic presentation, videotape demonstrations, role plays, and individual practicum supervision. Elective course. Prerequisites: Psyc 6311. Credits: 3.0 Estimated number of practicum hours: 20
Psyc 6314 Cognitive Therapy Skills for Adult Depression
The aim of this advanced clinical skills course is to provide students with knowledge and basic skills in cognitive therapy for depression. The primary theoretical orientation is Aaron T. Beck’s cognitive therapy, although other cognitive-behavioural approaches will be introduced (e.g., behavioral activation, mindfulness relapse prevention). Clinical skills taught in the course include cognitive-clinical assessment of depression, case formulation, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, developing the therapeutic relationship, offering psychoeducation, identifying negative thoughts and beliefs, cognitive restructuring, behavioural experimentation, setting homework assignments, evaluating treatment, and relapse prevention. Skills will be acquired through assigned readings, didactic presentation, videotape demonstrations, role plays, and individual practicum supervision. Elective course. Prerequisites: Psyc 6311. Credits: 3.0 Estimated number of practicum hours: 20
Psyc 6315 Therapy Skills with Parents, Families and Children
The purpose of this clinical skills course is to provide students with advanced training in interventions with parents, families and/or children. The course will consist of a brief review of relevant treatment theory and techniques, and may take one of two formats, depending on availability of clients, student enrolment, and instructor availability. Under one format, students will be assigned clinical cases for assessment and intervention. Cases will be screened in advance to select ones that are focused primarily on the child and/or family and where interventions are expected to be reasonably short in duration. Under another format, students will be responsible for planning and delivering a parenting course aimed at improving child behaviour; they will run group sessions and assist individual parents in implementing behaviour change programs. Examples of the kinds of behaviour problems anticipated include anger management, compliance, fears, eating/bedtime problems, and pervasive developmental disorder. Under either format, students will work in close collaboration with the instructor and classes will be organized in a case conference format. Elective course. Prerequisite: Psyc 6203, Psyc 6312. Credit: 3.0 Estimated number of practicum hours: 20
Psyc 6316 Therapy Skills with Adolescents
The purpose of this course is to provide students with training in the basic skills necessary to offer interventions to adolescents. The course will review theory and research that addresses interventions appropriate for youths and will highlight the importance of considering adolescents within their developmental contexts (e.g., family, peers, school). Through the use of assigned readings, demonstrations, role plays, and live sessions with at least one youth, students will gain experience with the skills required to conduct an initial interview, establish a therapeutic alliance, assess suicide risk and substance abuse, evaluate the role of the family in an intervention, facilitate the therapeutic process, and terminate an intervention. Ethical dilemmas that arise during interventions and issues related to specific populations of youths (e.g., adolescent sex offenders) also will be discussed. Elective course. Prerequisites: Psyc 6203, Psyc 6312. Credits: 3.0 Estimated number of practicum hours: 20
Psyc 6318 Elective Skills Course
Under this course title a variety of advanced skills topics will be offered on an occasional basis depending on faculty resources and student interests. It is assumed students will have the fundamental skills in assessment and intervention prior to enrolling in an advanced elective skills course. Topics taught under this course will focus on more specialized psychological assessment and/or intervention skills. As well elective skills courses may emphasize psychological approaches to very specific problems or populations. Examples of possible elective skills topics include couples therapy, group therapy, treatment of sexual problems, cognitive therapy for obsessions and compulsions, cognitive behavioural treatment of panic, feminist approaches to therapy, treatment of children’s phobias, behavioural interventions with autism, and assessment and intervention in children with non-organic failure to thrive. Elective course. Prerequisites: Psyc 6311 or Psyc 6312. Credits: 3.0 Estimated number of practicum hours: depends on skills topic offered
Psyc 6401 Seminar in Clinical Psychology I
This seminar course will focus on a variety of topics and issues in clinical psychology. Faculty will be assigned to teach a clinical seminar on a rotating basis. The seminars are intended to provide the student with an advanced, critical understanding of theory and research on selected topics relevant to clinical psychology. Students are expected to be actively involved in discussion of assigned readings, library research on selected topics, class presentations, and seminar discussion. These seminars will adopt an academic approach to specific knowledge domains in clinical psychology rather than an experiential or skills acquisition orientation. An example of topics included under this course are gender issues in clinical psychology, treatment of sexual problems in clinical practice, developmental and clinical issues with families, theory and research in experimental clinical psychology, violence against women and children, and group processes. Requirement: Students must take at least one clinical seminar. Prerequisites: none. Credits: 3.0
Psyc 6402 Seminar in Clinical Psychology II
This seminar course number will be used in conjunction with Psyc 6401 for clinical students who elect to take a second clinical seminar course. Elective course. Prerequisites: Psyc 6401. Credits: 3.0.
Psyc 6404 Group Processes
This course is designed to (1) help students develop an understanding of how groups operate and evolve, (2) practice skills involved with group facilitation, (3) acquire knowledge and awareness of the impact various facilitation styles can have on group process, and (4) learn to modify one's facilitation style to reach different outcomes. Further, the course aims at fostering the development of skills in designing, running, and evaluating groups. Elective course. Prerequisites: none. Credits: 3.0
Psyc 6519 Advanced Research Apprenticeship (This may only be required of students entering the graduate program with a Master’s degree who have not completed an independent research project)
Research experience and training is considered an integral part of graduate training in clinical psychology. Students who are admitted into the program with a Master’s degree from another institution are required to participate in an advanced research apprenticeship during their first year in the program, usually with their thesis supervisor. It is expected that students will be exposed to multiple aspects of the research process, including some combination of background reading, study design, data collection, data analysis, and manuscript preparation. Students will submit to the Clinical Program Committee by February 1 of their first year a brief description of their apprenticeship project (250-300 words) and a timeline for carrying out the specific activities associated with completing this project (e.g., ethics submission, data analysis). In late June (specific date TBA), students will make a 15-minute oral presentation of their apprenticeship project to clinical faculty and students. A written report of their project, in journal article format, is due to the supervisor the same day. The supervisor will normally assign credit (i.e., a letter grade) by June 30. In most cases, the student will collaborate with the supervisor on revisions to the apprenticeship report prior to submission for conference presentation and/or publication. Required course for students entering the program with a Master’s degree from another institution. Prerequisites: none. Credits 3.0
Psyc 6521 Master’s Research Apprenticeship
Research experience and training is considered an integral part of a graduate in clinical psychology. During the Master's year of the MA/PhD clinical program, all students are required to participate in a master's research apprenticeship with their dissertation thesis supervisor. The purpose of this apprenticeship is to familiarize the student with a body of research and to form a foundation for the Ph.D. Research Apprenticeship. The completed project will be a research proposal and will consist of a literature review, methods section and proposed analyses. Normally the timeline for completion will be as follows: May 15, students present their proposals to the department. June 15 final draft of the project is due. The final project will include: 1) an introduction section with literature review, research question(s) and hypotheses; 2) a method section with description of participants, procedure and planned analyses; and 3) a timeline for carrying out the specific activities associated with completing the study (e.g., commencement of data collection, data analysis, revision of manuscript). The CPC will review the timeline for feasibility. August 1, ethics submission due. Supervisors normally assign credit (i.e. a letter grade) for the apprenticeship after the ethics form has been submitted. Prerequisites: none. Credits: 3.0.
Psyc 6522 Ph.D. Research Apprenticeship
During their first year in the clinical Ph.D. program, all students are required to participate in a research apprenticeship under the supervision of their thesis supervisor. Students will conduct, analyze, and write up an independent research study based on the Master’s Research Apprenticeship. They will submit a written report of their project, in a journal article format, to their supervisor for feedback and evaluation. The timeline for completion is as follows: Following ethics approval of the Master’s Research Apprenticeship in the Fall of their first Ph.D. year, students begin data collection. September 1 of their second Ph.D. year, the final project is due to the supervisor; students present their results to the department the first Friday afternoon following Labour Day. The supervisor will assign credit (i.e. a letter grade) when the student has completed the apprenticeship requirements. Prerequisites: Psyc 6521. Credits: 3.0
Psyc 6523 Co-Teaching Apprenticeship
Teaching is often an important part of the role and duties of clinical psychologists. Because of this, all students are expected to complete a teaching apprenticeship under the supervision of a faculty member. The purpose of the teaching apprenticeship is to offer students a chance to acquire teaching skills within the context of a supervised experience. Students in the clinical program will typically co-teach a lower level undergraduate course (e.g., Introductory Psychology, one of the Foundations courses) with a faculty member. The availability of specific courses may vary from year to year depending on departmental resources. Required course. Prerequisites: none. Credits: 3.0.
Psyc 6525 Clinical Comprehensive Examination
The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate the integration of theory, practice, and evaluation in an applied or clinical context based on the scientist-practitioner framework. The aim is to contribute to and evaluate the student’s depth and breadth of preparation in the content, methodology, and theory of clinical psychology. The examination will evaluate students’ competencies in reference to the program’s values and principles. Students are also expected to demonstrate a broad and critical understanding of major trends and controversies in the field. The comprehensive examination is a closed book written exam completed on a single day in mid April. Students are referred to the Guidelines for the Clinical Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination in the Graduate Student Handbook for further details. Required course. Prerequisite: none. Credits: 0.
Psyc 6621 Practicum in Adult Clinical Psychology
Students are required to complete at least 350 practicum hours in adult clinical psychology as a prerequisite for the pre-doctoral internship. They may complete practicum training in any pre-authorized practicum setting provided that they have the prerequisite clinical courses and approval from the Practicum Coordinator. Either Psyc 6621 or Psyc 6622 must be completed as a three to four month full-time clinical placement. The other practicum courses may be taken on either a full-time or a part-time basis as long as they exceed 250 hours in total. Practicum training will normally begin in the summer term of the second year and extend over the next two years of the program. In order to be credited toward practicum hours, the necessary documentation must be submitted to the Practicum Coordinator. Please refer to the Practicum Policy Manual for further details. Required course. Prerequisites: Psyc 6101, 6102, 6202, 6203, 6205, 6212, 6211, 6311, and 6312. Credits: 0 Number of practicum hours: 350
Psyc 6622 Practicum in Child/Adolescent Clinical Psychology
Students are required to complete at least 350 practicum hours in child/adolescent clinical psychology as a prerequisite for the pre-doctoral internship. They may complete practicum training in any pre-authorized practicum setting provided they have the prerequisite clinical courses and approval from the Practicum Coordinator. Either Psyc 6621 or Psyc 6622 must be completed as a three to four month full-time clinical placement. The other practicum courses may be taken on either a full-time or a part-time basis as long as they exceed 250 hours in total. Practicum training will normally begin in the summer term of the second year and extend over the next two years of the program. In order to be credited toward practicum hours, the necessary documentation must be submitted to the Practicum Coordinator. Please refer to the Practicum Policy Manual for further details. Required course. Prerequisites: Psyc 6101, 6102, 6202, 6203, 6205, 6211, 6212, 6311, and 6312. Credits: 0 Number of practicum hours: 350
Psyc 6623 Advanced Practicum in Clinical Psychology
Students are required to complete an additional 300 practicum hours in a pre-authorized practicum setting of their choice. They may complete these remaining hours as part of one or both of the primary practica placements (i.e., Psyc 6621 or Psyc 6622) or by completing an additional advanced practicum in a setting of their choice. The aim of this advanced practicum is to provide students with an opportunity to acquire clinical skills on a specialized clinical problem or more advanced skills with a particular clinical population. Students may complete practicum training in any pre-authorized practicum setting provided that they have the prerequisite clinical courses and approval from the Practicum Coordinator. This practicum may be taken on either a full-time or a part-time basis as long as the student spends at least 250 hours in the selected setting. Practicum training will normally begin in the summer term of the second year and extend over the next two years of the program. In order to be credited toward practicum hours, the necessary documentation must be submitted to the Practicum Coordinator. Please refer to the Practicum Policy Manual for further details. Required course. Prerequisites: Psyc 6101, 6102, 6202, 6203, 6205, 6211, 6212, 6311, 6312, 6621 and 6622. Credits: 0
Psyc 6624 Predoctoral Clinical Internship
All clinical students are required to complete a 12-month full-time organized internship in a recognized psychological services unit under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. It is expected that internship supervision and training will follow the guidelines for internship accreditation of the Canadian Psychological Association. Normally students will apply for the internship during the fall term of their fourth year after completion of all courses and other program requirements. In addition, data collection and analysis for the thesis should be completed before starting the internship. On completion of the internship, the Director of the Clinical Program will recommend that the student be given credit for the internship once notification has been received that the student has completed all internship requirements. Required course. Prerequisites: all clinical program requirements and data collection for the doctoral thesis. Credits: 0
Psyc 6625 Advanced Practicum 2
Students may choose to complete a second advanced practicum in a setting of their choice. The aim of this second advanced practicum is to provide students with an opportunity to acquire additional clinical skills on a specialized clinical problem or more advanced skills with a particular clinical population. Students may complete practicum training in any pre-authorized practicum setting provided that they have the prerequisite clinical courses and approval from the Practicum Coordinator. This practicum may be taken on either a full-time or a part-time basis as long as the student spends at least 250 hours in the selected setting and the selected practicum (i.e., setting or clinical rotation) has not been previously completed by the student. In order to be credited toward practicum hours, the necessary documentation must be submitted to the Practicum Coordinator. Please refer to the Practicum Policy Manual for further details. Prerequisites: Psyc 6101, 6102, 6202, 6203, 6205, 6211, 6212, 6311, 6312, 6621, 6622, and 6623. Credits: 0
Psyc 6998 Ph.D. Thesis
In accordance with regulations set out by the Graduate School, students register in Psyc 6998 in their first term of enrollment in the Ph.D. degree. The dissertation proposal will be written under the guidance of a thesis advisor and dissertation committee. Once the proposal is acceptable to the dissertation committee, it will be presented to the department as a colloquium. Although the approval of the proposal rests solely with the thesis committee, the student, supervisor and thesis committee should take any comments or concerns expressed during the “proposal colloquium” into consideration. After receiving written notification of the acceptance of the dissertation proposal and completing the “proposal colloquium”, the student is expected to conduct the research during the fourth year. For students in the Clinical Program, the thesis often is written while the student is enrolled in a predoctoral clinical internship and the results are presented at an oral defense subsequent to completion of their year of clinical internship training. Required. Prerequisites: completion of all course requirements Credits: 0
Psyc 6997 Master’s Thesis (optional)
All students are admitted at the Master’s level in the first year. At the end of the first year, students are evaluated on their academic performance (students in the Clinical Program also are evaluated on their clinical potential) and a recommendation is made on whether they are admitted to the doctoral program. Although the expectation is that all students will proceed into the doctoral program, occasionally a student may not be admitted into the Ph.D. program. Students who are not recommended to proceed into the doctoral program may be permitted to continue their training at the Master’s level. This will require that they complete a Master’s thesis. For these students, any research carried out in fulfillment of Psyc 6522 Research II may be considered toward fulfillment of the Master’s thesis.
