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The Master of Science program in Clinical Psychology offers a wide array of courses to meet the various interests and needs of its students. For the most updated information about course offerings, please consult the University course catalog and BenULive course schedule at the Office of the Registrar website, or contact the Program.
Courses listed on this page are organized by Licensure category:
* indicates program core requirement
MSCP 516 | Group Processes*
Group dynamics and processes are studied experientially
and conceptually. Emphasis is on understanding learning processes in groups.
Prerequisite: MSCP 633 and degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology
program. 2 quarter hours.
MSCP 633 | Group Counseling & Psychotherapy
Fundamental concepts and skills of group psychotherapy
are examined. Prerequisites: MSCP 629, degree-seeking student in the Clinical
Psychology program. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 601 | Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues in
Counseling I*
The course introduces students to professional, legal and
ethical responsibilities relating to professional counseling especially as
related to Illinois law. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical
Psychology program. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 602 | Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues in
Counseling II*
This
course will continue the exploration and discussion of ethical and legal
consideration in the practice of counseling. Prerequisite: MSCP 601. 2 quarter
hours.
MSCP 603 | Clinical Interviewing and DSM*
This course introduces the student to the current
diagnostic and statistical manual and its use. In addition, students practice
doing the clinical interview with the purpose of gathering the specific
information needed to diagnose and plan treatment. Prerequisite: undergraduate
abnormal and degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 3
quarter hours.
MSCP 651 | Maladaptive Behavior and Psychopathology*
The
etiology, dynamics and treatment of pathological behavior will be studied with
an emphasis on the relationship between DSM, Axis I, and Axis II disorders.
Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program, MSCP
603, and MSCP 690 or MSCP 691 concurrent. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 560 | Principles of Behavior Modification
The principles of behavior therapy are studied in depth:
examination of techniques derived from behavioral principles; application to
specific problems. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical
Psychology program. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 607 | Counseling Laboratory
This course provides empathy training exercises with an
emphasis on the therapist's conscious use of the language of emotions and
attitudes. Role-play with couples, difficult clients, special situations and
therapeutic techniques are practiced. Prerequisite: MSCP 629. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 620 | Cognitive Therapy
This course provides a survey of a variety of cognitive behavioral
approaches to psychotherapy. Modern techniques will be linked to earlier
theories in both cognitive (Adler, Kelly, etc.) and behavioral (Skinner,
Pavlov, etc.) psychology. Students will be given the opportunity to apply the
various techniques and theories to clinical material and will be expected to
present and analyze cases within a cognitive-behavior framework. Prerequisite:
degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. Consent required. 3
quarter hours.
The student is introduced to theories underlying the brief counseling and psychotherapy model. Role-play situations are used to facilitate learning. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 2 quarter hours.
MSCP 655 | Theory and Practice of Play Therapy with
Children
This course explores the concept of play as a therapeutic
modality and the major theories of psychotherapy and how those theories form
the foundation for specific play therapy techniques and interventions. An
analysis of appropriate application and strategic utilization of techniques
that further the processing of client material will be explored. Prerequisite:
degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program, MSCP 646, and MSCP
630. 3 quarter hours.
Students receive training in client-centered therapy, including audiotape and videotape recordings of simulated counseling sessions with individual tape playback consultations. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 630 | Theory and Techniques of Counseling and
Psychotherapy*
Theories and techniques of a sampling of major approaches
to counseling and psychotherapy are explored. Prerequisite: degree-seeking
student in the Clinical Psychology program, undergraduate Theories of
Personality. 3 quarter hours.
Occupational and educational information and issues in career planning and development are studied with consideration of student's own career plan; laboratory practice. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 2 quarter hours.
MSCP 659 | Job Search Strategies*
This course will focus on defining job search strategies
for a competitive job market. Career development theories will be applied in a
practical application. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical
Psychology program and MSCP 658. 3 quarter hours.
This class provides an overview of the Theory of Psychological evaluation, clinical interview processes and utilization of Interpretative data in assessing client needs. Prerequisite: MSCP 603. 2 quarter hours.
MSCP 665 | Psychological Assessment: Personality
Evaluation & Report Writing*
This
course provides an overview of major assessment instruments, interpretation of
reports and report writing. An introduction to projective techniques is
included. Prerequisite: MSCP 603. 3 quarter hours.
Family systems theory is introduced. The works of major contributors of the field are studied. A skills component is included to enhance learning. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 673 | Workshop in Marital Therapy*
This
course explores a range of approaches to brief couple and family therapy.
Conceptual and self-observation skills are emphasized in the critique of
student-designed, role-played interventions. Part of the course centers on
client-centered approaches to working with clients. Prerequisite: MSCP 629. 3
quarter hours.
This course explores issues and trends in a pluralistic society. Areas covered include issues associated with factors such as age, race, religious preference, physical disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity and culture, gender and socioeconomic status. Ethical implications and considerations are examined. Prerequisite: MSCP 601 and MSCP 629. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 684 | Workshop in Counseling the Culturally Diverse
Populations*
This course explores approaches in working with
culturally diverse populations. The therapist's own ethnic and cultural factors
are also considered. Conceptual and self-observation skills are practiced in
the critique of role-played counseling sessions. Prerequisite: degree-seeking
student in the Clinical Psychology program, MSCP 629, and MSCP 683. 2 quarter
hours.
This course presents basic concepts of the developmental perspective and reviews the physical, psychological, and social development of the child from birth to puberty. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 647 | Human Development: AdolescenceThis course examines the range of development that occurs in adolescence. Discussion and reading focus on the major physical, social, cognitive, and emotional changes that occur during this phase of life. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 648 | Human Development: Adulthood
Students
will examine the developmental issues surrounding early, middle, and late
adulthood. The course will focus on the physical, emotional, and intellectual
changes that occur as one progresses through adult life. Prerequisite:
degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 3 quarter hours.
This course is an introduction to the family as a dynamic system focusing on the effects of addiction pertaining to family roles, rules and behavior patterns. The impact of mood altering substances and behaviors and therapeutic alternatives as they relate to the family will be discussed. This course is designed to prepare students to work with family members in the treatment of addiction. Pre-requisite: MSCP degree seeking student. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 551 | Alcohol and Other Substances of Abuse*
This
course focuses on the examination of substance abuse and dependence disorders
along with relevant research, theory assessment and treatment approaches. Major classes of abused drugs will be
discussed along with multicultural traditional and non-psychologically based
approaches to prevention and treatment.
Pre-requisite MSCCP degree seeding students 3 quarter hours.
This is the first student internship experience. Students serve their internship at agencies, hospitals, and other social service sites with a focus on providing counseling to clients. Students receive weekly supervision on site. Students enroll in this class to register for their first field placement. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. Consent required. 1-6 quarter hours. Course repeatable. Maximum number of units allowed 12.
MSCP 691 | Supervised Field Experience in Mental Health
II*
This
is the second student internship experience and continues the student's
experience in counseling clients. Supervision by the agency staff is provided.
Students enroll in this class to register for their second field placement. Prerequisite:
degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. Consent required.
1-6 quarter hours. Course repeatable. Maximum number of units allowed 12.
Two tracks are available for completion of the program research requirement.
This course is an overview of research design, collection and reporting of data, interpretation of findings and inferential procedures. Prerequisite: Undergraduate statistics or proficiency exam. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 635 | Research in Counseling and Psychotherapy*Studies in the field of counseling and psychotherapy, its practitioners,
its processes and its efficacy are critically reviewed in terms of both
findings and methods and as illustrations of different design approaches to the
understanding of psychotherapy. Prerequisite: MSCP 606. 2 quarter hours.
Students pursuing Track B take the two Track A courses listed above as well as the following:
MSCP 688
| Master's Thesis
Students
are supervised during the conceptualization, execution, data analysis and
formal written presentation of a research project. Prerequisite: degree-seeking
student in the Clinical Psychology program. Consent Required. 2-4 quarter
hours. MSCP 688 credit hours are counted against electives.
This course introduces students to the physiological, pharmacological, and psychological concepts basic to an understanding of the clinical use of psychotherapeutic drugs. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 580 | Psychology of WomenThis course examines theories on the psychology of women and its applications developed through clinical work and research with women. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 585 | Grief and LossThis course examines the process a person experiences as the result of unanticipated or expected life losses. Cultural and cohort differences in grieving styles are explored. A skills component is included to facilitate learning. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 600 | Independent StudyPrerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program, department consent. 1-4 quarter hours. Course repeatable. Maximum number of units allowed 4.
MSCP 616 | Stress ManagementThis course examines stress theories of disease, beneficial aspects of stress, life change, health behavior change, and techniques of stress management. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 619 | Substance Related Disorders: Application of TheoryThis course is an integration and application course of prior content taught in MSCP 510, 550 and 551. This course will review clinical skills required to function as a Certified Addictions Counselor. Throughout this course the student will be required to provide the rationale for the choice of treatment, examining specific scientific rationales. Research investigations will provide the basis of treatment for hypothetical patients. ASAM criteria will guide assessment choices for placement and treatment.
MSCP 638 | Problems in Counseling and PsychotherapyThis course is designed for individual and group study of selected problems and issues. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program and consent of instructor. 1-4 quarter hours. Course repeatable. Maximum number of units allowed 4.
MSCP 649 | Human SexualityThis course examines human sexual development and the nature, assessment, and treatment of sexual problems. Sexual desire disorders will be addressed, and the value of sexual therapy intervention for couples will be explored. Sexual issues will be approached from intrapsychic and interpersonal perspectives. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. Offered fall, yearly. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 650 | Introduction to Art TherapyThis class introduces the use of art in counseling clients of all ages. Examines how art links to the varied theoretical perspectives in psychotherapy and explores the use of art as a metaphor for human issues and concerns. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 2 quarter hours.
MSCP 653 | Behavior Disorders of ChildhoodTheoretical and methodological issues in behavior disorders of childhood are studied in this course using clinical and research data. Readings and discussions will give consideration to assessment and treatment approaches. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 3 quarter hours.
MSCP 687 | Readings in Counseling PsychologyThis class introduces readings in theories of personality, readings in psychopathology, or readings in psychotherapy research. Individual or group study is carried out in one of the above areas. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program, department consent. 1-4 quarter hours. Course repeatable. Maximum number of units allowed 4.
NOTE: Certain courses offered by Benedictine University's various graduate programs also may qualify as electives. MSCP courses not listed under "required courses" may be used as electives as well.
Benedictine University's Master of Science in Clinical Psychology program is a proud member of the Council for Applied Master's Programs in Psychology (CAMPP)