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The Master of Science in Clinical Psychology

Program Courses

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's graduate course catalog and BenULive course schedule, or contact the Program.

Courses listed on this page are organized by Licensure category:

Elective courses

* indicates program core requirement

GROUP (5 quarter hours)

MCP 516 | Group Processes*

Group dynamics and processes are studied experientially and conceptually. Emphasis is on understanding learning processes in groups. Prerequisite: MCP 633 and degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 2 quarter hours.

MCP 633 | Group Counseling & Psychotherapy

Fundamental concepts and skills of group psychotherapy are examined. Prerequisites: MCP 629, degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 3 quarter hours.

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE, ETHICS, AND LAW (5 quarter hours)

MCP 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.

MCP 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: MCP 601. 2 quarter hours.

PSYCHOPATHOLOGY (6 quarter hours)

MCP 603 | Clinical Interviewing and DSM (3)*

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.

MCP 651 | Maladaptive Behavior and Psychopathology (3)*

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, MCP 603, and MCP 690 or MCP 691 concurrent. 3 quarter hours.

COUNSELING TECHNIQUES (5 or 6 quarter hours)

MCP 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: MCP 629. 3 quarter hours.

MCP 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.

MCP 620 | Cognitive Therapy

This course provides a survey of a variety of cognitivebehavioral 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.

MCP 621 | Brief Counseling & Psychotherapy

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.

MCP 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, MCP 646, and MCP 630. 3 quarter hours.

COUNSELING THEORY (7 Quarter Hours)

MCP 629 | Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy*

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. 4 quarter hours.

MCP 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.

CAREER COUNSELING (5 quarter hours)

MCP 658 | Career Counseling, Testing & Planning*

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.

MCP 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 MCP 658. 3 quarter hours.

PSYCHOLOGICAL APPRAISAL (5 quarter hours)

MCP 664 | Psychological Assessment: Measurement and Test Evaluation

This class provides an overview of the Theory of Psychological evaluation, clinical interview processes and utilization of Interpretative data in assessing client needs. Prerequisite: MCP 603. 2 quarter hours.

MCP 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: MCP 603. 3 quarter hours.

FAMILY (6 Quarter Hours)

MCP 672 | Marriage & Family: Systems Theory*

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.

MCP 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: MCP 629. 3 quarter hours.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS (5 quarter hours)

MCP 683 | Social and Cultural Foundations*

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: MCP 601 and MCP 629. 3 quarter hours.

MCP 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, MCP 629, and MCP 683. 2 quarter hours.

HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (6 quarter hours)

MCP 646 | Human Development: Infancy and Childhood

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.

MCP 647 | Human Development: Adolescence

This 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.

MCP 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.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE (5 quarter hours)

MCP 550 | Addiction and the Family

This course will explore family systems as they are organized around addiction. It will include the examination of the immediate impact of living with an addict as well as its implications. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 2 quarter hours.

MCP 551 | Substance Abuse

The social, physiological, cultural and psychological factors in the etiology of alcoholism are examined. A wide range of theoretical and practical approaches to alcoholic treatments are outlined not only for the alcoholic, but also for those affected by the alcoholic's drinking. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program. 3 quarter hours.

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE & INTERNSHIP (10 quarter hours)

MCP 690 | Supervised Field Experience in Mental Health I*

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.

MCP 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.

RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION (5-9 quarter hours)

Two tracks are available for completion of the program research requirement.

TRACK A: Non-thesis option

MCP 606 | Methods of Research
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.

MCP 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: MCP 606. 2 quarter hours.

TRACK B: Thesis option

Students pursuing Track B take the two Track A courses listed above as well as the following:

MCP 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. MCP 688 credit hours are counted against electives.

ELECTIVE COURSES (9-15 quarter hours)

MCP 510 | The Physiology and Pharmacology of Psychotherapeutic Drugs

This course introduces students to thephysiological, 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.

MCP 580 | Psychology of Women

This 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.

MCP 585 | Grief and Loss

This 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.

MCP 600 | Independent Study

Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program, department consent. 1-4 quarter hours. Course repeatable. Maximum number of units allowed 4.

MCP 610 | Social, Psychological and Cultural Aspects of Aging

This course examines social, psychological, and cultural aspects that impact the aging process. An analysis of the individual and society, exploration of changes in roles and status, intergenerational relationships, sociocultural differences, and intrapsychic dynamics will be explored. Prerequisite: none. Cross-listed class with undergraduate students. 4 quarter hours.

MCP 616 | Stress Management

This 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.

MCP 638 | Problems in Counseling and Psychotherapy

This 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.

MCP 649 | Human Sexuality

This 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.

MCP 650 | Art Therapy

Introduces 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.

MCP 653 | Behavior Disorders of Childhood

Theoretical 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.

MCP 687 | Readings in Counseling Psychology

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.

MCP 693 | Supervised Field Experience in Human Services, Student Personnel, Supervision, Teaching and Research

This is a non-clinical field placement. Students gain experience in their area of interest which may include teaching assistance, research, crises line work, career counseling, and other options. Prerequisite: degree-seeking student in the Clinical Psychology program, department consent. 1-4 quarter hours.

NOTE: Certain courses offered by Benedictine University's various graduate programs also may qualify as electives. MCP 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)