Graduate Program

Overview of the major content areas in psychology. Topics to be covered include learning, cognition, perception, motivation, biological systems, social and abnormal psychology, development, personality and approaches to psychotherapy. Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences.

Presentation of the basic principles of the description and interpretation of data. Provides an acquaintance with statistical principles appropriate to a liberal arts education, as well as a basis for further work in data analysis. Students planning graduate study in any field are advised to take 300 and 302 as well.

Prerequisite: 105

Overview of the physical, perceptual, motor, cognitive, emotional and social development of children from infancy through adolescence.

Prerequisite: 105

(Also offered as WMST 231)

Exploration of the physiological, cultural, social and individual factors that influence sexual behavior, sex roles and sex identity.

Prerequisite: 105

A general survey of the biological foundations of behavior. Emphasis is on the central nervous system.

Prerequisite: 105 or BIOL 110 or BIOL 123

Study of any psychological topic not otherwise included in the curriculum upon expression of mutual interest by students and faculty. May be repeated for credit provided the subject matter varies.

Survey of the variety of laboratory learning situations, with an emphasis on the application of principles to practical situations. Topics range from simple processes, such as conditioning, to complex processes, such as transfer, memory and concept formation.

Prerequisite: 105

Study of the cognitive processes involved in the encoding, storage, retrieval and use of knowledge including attention,memory, comprehension, categorization, reasoning, problem solving and language.

Prerequisite: 105

Study of social influence: perception of oneself and others, attitudes, conformity, attraction, altruism, aggression, and groups.

Prerequisite: 105

This course introduces Health Psychology. The course will cover the role of stress in illness, coping with chronic illness, stress, and pain, and the role of health behavior in health and disease.

Prerequisite: 105

Application of the concepts covered in 200. Includes discussion of basic principles of research design and scientific methodology as applied to psychology.

Prerequisite: 200

This course teaches how to screen for and assess substance abuse problems, evaluate addiction tests, determine if someone meets diagnostic criteria, and assess suicidality.

Prerequisite: 332 and (347 or 411 or 430)

Restriction: permission of instructor.

This course provides an introduction to the ethical standards in the New Mexico Professional Code of Ethics, including the rights and responsibilities of clients, confidentiality, etc.

Prerequisite: 332 and (347 or 411 or 430)

Restriction: permission of instructor.

This overview of the role of case management in the addictions field will examine the relationship of the 12 core functions to service coordination.

Prerequisite: 332 and (347 or 411 or 430)

Restriction: permission of instructor.

An advanced course that presents theory and research focusing on social dynamic processes and relationship-formation within cultural settings throughout development.

Prerequisite: 105 and 200

An advanced course that presents theory and research on the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, perceptual and motor development in the first two years of life.

Prerequisite: 220

An advanced course that presents theory and research on the development of cognition, from memory and representation to spatial reasoning and concept formation.

Prerequisite: 220

Empirical study of adolescent development from different theoretical perspectives. Organization of individual social patterns through cultural and historical transitions and interplay between risk and protective factors in healthy development as well as deviant behaviors.

Prerequisite: 200 and 220.

Survey of theory, research and applications of both classical and contemporary approaches to the study of personality.

Prerequisite: 200 and 220

Review of the historical, scientific and ethical issues in the field of psychopathology. Categorization of deviant behavior, theories of abnormal behavior, systems of therapy and relevant research are covered.

Prerequisite: 105

This laboratory course is designed to offer students exposure to the wide variety of research that is typically conducted in the field of clinical psychology. It will teach students how to read and critique the relevant literature in an area and how to design solid studies to answer specific research questions.

Prerequisite: 200 and 332

A survey of contemporary research and theory derived from an evolutionary perspective on behavior.

Prerequisite: 240

Conceptual, empirical and methodological issues involved in studying the processes of pre- and post-natal brain growth. Experimental, neurobiological and genetic factors in normal and abnormal development will be considered.

Prerequisite: 240

The analysis of brain-behavior relationships regarding affect and higher cognitive functions (language, memory, spatial reasoning) in humans.

Prerequisite: 240

Study of the pharmacological action and physiological and psychological effects of drugs of abuse including stimulants, depressants, narcotics and hallucinogens.

Prerequisite: 240

How humans acquire and use knowledge. Theoretical and applied issues discussed around the topics of memory structures, attention, forgetting, mnemonics, imagery and individual differences in memory.

Prerequisite: 260 or 265

Laboratory projects related to topics in 360.

Prerequisite: 200 and 360

Study of the methods organisms use to gain information about objects. The sensory processes are discussed as a basis for description of more complex perceptual phenomena.

Prerequisite: 260 or 265

Application of theory, methods and data from experimental psychology to topics such as training, education, assessment, design of human-machine interfaces, the legal profession, consumerism and environmental systems.

Prerequisite: 265

(Also offered as LING 367/567)

Theoretical and methodological issues in psycholinguistics, including comprehension, speech perception and production, language acquisition, bilingualism, brain and language, reading.

Prerequisite: 220 or 240 or 260 or 265 or 271 or LING 101 or LING 301 or ANTH 110

Impact of culture on human behavior, learning, personality and other selected topics is examined. Course emphasizes critical analysis, discussion and writing about cross-cultural research and theory.

Prerequisite: 220 or 271

(Also offered as WMST 375)

Survey of research and theory on gender-role stereotypes and gender differences in such contexts as interpersonal relations, the family, the work force, mass media, mental and physical health.

Prerequisite: 105

Laboratory projects with discussion of research issues unique to social psychology. Four hours lab.

Prerequisite: 200 and 302.

Restriction: permission of instructor.

Discussion of the history and systems of psychology, philosophy of science and research methodology, particularly as related to current topics in psychology.

Prerequisite: (260 or 265) and 302

Restriction: permission of instructor.

{Fall}

Continuation of 391.

Prerequisite: 391

{Spring}

An introduction to the major developments and individuals in the history of psychology.

Prerequisite: any 300-level psychology course

Training and experience at Agora Crisis Center. Can lead to national certification. Some weekend, evening and holiday hours required. Minimum commitment: two semesters, weekly four hour shift. Must be 18 and deemed eligible by the Agora Executive Committee.

Restriction: permission of instructor.

This course will provide an overview of evidence-based approaches to the treatment of alcohol and other substance use disorders.

Prerequisite: 105 and 332 and (347 or 430)

This field experience at an addiction agency teaches students to apply classroom learning to practice situations. A licensed counselor supervises.

Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Prerequisite: 311 and 312 and 313 and 411

Restriction: permission of instructor.

Investigation of the theoretical bases and critical issues in the area of developmental psychology.

Prerequisite: 220.

Morford, John-Steiner

(Also offered as LING 460)

Theories, methodologies and findings in child language, from birth to late childhood. Emphasizes implications of child language data for linguistic and psycholinguistic theories. Topics: biological foundations; pre-linguistic communication; phonological, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic development; bilingualism.

Prerequisite: 324 or 328 or 360 or 367 or LING 367

Causes, course, prevention and treatment of problem drinking.

Prerequisite: 332

A survey of clinical behavior therapies, including techniques based upon learning theory, self-control, cognitive and social psychological principles. Emphasis is upon treatment outcome research and the practical application of methods to clients’ life problems.

Prerequisite: 332

Focuses on the major theoretical approaches to family dysfunction and examines family influences on the development and maintenance of deviance, including juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, anorexia nervosa, depression and schizophrenia.

Prerequisite: 332

Theories and practices related to an understanding of children and adolescents who deviate from normal development either intellectually, educationally, emotionally, physically or in some combination. Relevant family variables are considered.

Prerequisite: 220 and 332

Emphasis on experimental studies of behavioral recovery after brain injury.

Prerequisite: 240

Study of any psychological topic not otherwise included in the curriculum upon expression of mutual interest by students and faculty.

This will examine theory and research regarding the development of human strengths at an advanced undergraduate level. The course will focus on strengths that promote better functioning including creativity, optimism, wisdom, courage, love, and spirituality.

Prerequisite: 105.

This laboratory course exposes the research that is conducted in Health Psychology. It includes methods of research and student experience in evaluating and critiquing Health Psychology research.

Prerequisite: 105

Experimental methods and laboratory techniques. Senior thesis based on independent research. Three hours lab.

Prerequisite: 392

{Fall}

Continuation of 491. Three hours lab.

Prerequisite: 491

{Spring}

Restriction: permission of instructor.

Frequency and probability distributions; sampling distributions and point estimation; central tendency, variability and z scores; the normal distribution and the central limit theorem; the logic of hypothesis testing; correlation and regression; multiple regression.

Corequisite: 503L

{Fall}

Introduction to the logic of experimental design and to experimental designs commonly used in psychology and the corresponding analyses.

Corequisite: 504L

{Spring}

Computational techniques for statistical methods introduced in 501. Emphasis placed on the use of a computerized statistical package, e.g., SPSS®.

Corequisite: 501

{Fall}

Practical issues related to material introduced in 502. Emphasis placed on use of a computerized statistical package, e.g. SPSS®.

Corequisite: 502

{Spring}

Facilitates development of active research in first-year graduate students. Presentations include 1) research lectures by faculty and graduate students; and 2) research proposals by class members, critiqued by instructor and classmates.

Discussion of recent research in various areas of mathematical psychology, including behavioral decision theory and mathematical learning theory.

The course is designed to prepare graduate students, both conceptually and practically, for teaching, with the construction of a professional teaching portfolio as its goal.

Survey of historic and contemporary systematic issues and conceptual viewpoints in psychology.

This course will examine research and theory on the application of psychological interventions to health problems including coping with illness and health behavior change. The interventions will include stress management, meditation, and cognitive behavior therapies.

This is an overview of health Psychology from a social psychological perspective. The focus is the design, implementation, and evaluation of theory-based interventions to improve healthy behavior (e.g. increase exercise, engage in safer sexual behavior).

Investigation of the theoretical bases and critical issues in the area of developmental psychology.

(Also offered as LING 560)

Theories, methodologies and findings in child language, from birth to late childhood. Emphasizes implications of child language data for linguistic and psycholinguistic theories. Topics: biological foundations; pre-linguistic communication; phonological, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic development; bilingualism.

A seminar that integrates theory and research focused on social dynamic processes and relationship-formation within cultural settings throughout development.

A seminar covering theory and research on the development of cognition, organized around Piaget’s constructivist model of cognitive development and subsequent challenges, both theoretical and empirical, to that model.

A research-bases course that provides a comprehensive study of abnormal behavior. It stresses diagnosis and assessment of psychopathology and examines various theories of etiology. Recommended treatments are mentioned briefly.

Provides an introduction to intelligence testing, contemporary factors influencing intellectual performance, and clinical interpretation of cognitive tests. The neuropsychological implications of cognitive deficits are reviewed, along with different approaches to neuropsychological assessment.

Practicum experience in the administration and interpretation of cognitive and personality tests.

This course examines: 1) psychometric principles involved in the development and evaluation of psychological tests; 2) major means of personality inventory construction; and 3) the general logic of major personality assessment procedures, including MMPI and Rorschach.

Focuses on the major theoretical approaches to family dysfunction and examines family influences on the development and maintenance of deviance, including juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, anorexia nervosa, depression and schizophrenia.

This course is intended to serve as an introduction to the issues and literature concerned with the science of clinical psychology.

Theories and practices related to an understanding of children and adolescents who deviate from normal development either intellectually, educationally, emotionally, physically or in some combination. Relevant family variables are considered.

Provides an introduction to basic aspects of neuroscience; e.g., historical perspectives, neurocytology, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, neuropharmacology, neuroanatomy. In depth critical discussion of fundamental and current topics.

Provides an introduction to functional neuroimaging, from its history to the present. Technical aspects of commonly used neuroimaging methods will be discussed, along with their interpretation and application to questions in psychology and medicine.

Restriction: Psychology graduate students only.

Focuses on the literature and current experiments on epilepsy and functional recovery, the two major problems following traumatic brain injury or stroke. Mechanisms of these processes and clinical advancements will be discussed.

Study of the pharmacological action and physiological and psychological effects of drugs of abuse including stimulants, depressants, narcotics and hallucinogens. Course may be used towards major.

This will examine theory and research regarding the development of human strengths at the graduate level. The course will focus on strengths that may promote better functioning, including creativity, optimism, wisdom, courage, love, and spirituality.

Surveys the major topics and issues in lower order cognitive processes. Includes coverage of fundamental theoretical and empirical work in sensory detection, attention, perception, and motor control.

In-depth coverage of recent studies concerned with the theoretical and applied issues around the topics of memory structures and processes, forgetting, mnemonics, imagery, prospective vs. retrospective remembering and individual differences in memory.

(Also offered as LING, EDPY 565)

(Also offered as LING 568)

Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Restriction: PSY major.

Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

This course is a companion to and continuation of the Interviewing Practicum, which students take in the first semester of their first year.

An intensive introduction into the empirical and clinical bases of case formulation. The course is an integration of empirically-derived case formulation systems representing several theoretical orientations, clinical examples, and a critical approach to case formulation.

Prerequisite: 532

A bimonthly seminar learning experience where clinical graduate students meet with faculty to present and discuss ongoing, interesting or challenging cases.

Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

This seminar is principally concerned with ethics in psychology research, service delivery, training and teaching. Topics in career development and contemporary controversies in professional psychology are also dealt with.

Supervised experience conducting psychological evaluations of children and adolescents in clinical settings. Both test administration and report writing will be emphasized.

Restriction: PSY major.

Prerequisite: 533 or 535

This course provides an overview of multicultural counseling including the principles of understanding one's values and biases, understanding and respecting the client's worldview, and using culturally appropriate interventions.

The purpose of the seminar is to provide a broad overview of the empirically-supported treatments movement and to teach student how to effectively deliver empirically-supported treatments for specific psychological disorders.

Critical examination of recent empirical and theoretical articles on behavioral/cognitive neuroscience topics selected by students.

Study of any psychological topic not otherwise included in the curriculum upon expression of mutual interest by students and faculty.

Available only to students who have successfully completed their dissertations. This is a one-year, full-time external clinical internship in which students provide treatment, assessment, and other relevant professional services under intensive and direct professional supervision.

Offered on a CR/NC basis only.