PsyD in Clinical Psychology Online | Courses - Capella University (2024)

Learners enhance their understanding of theory, practice, and research related to the profession by engaging with a specific licensure-related topic(s) in clinical psychology. During the face-to-face residency, learners apply clinical skills to prepare for professional clinical psychology practice. Prerequisite(s): PSY-R8206. Special permission is required for registration.

This course is an exploration of sexuality within the larger context of human experience, emphasizing physical and psychosexual development, cultural diversity, health-related issues, and the application of scientific information to sexual topics and issues. Current issues include sexual deviation, sexual inadequacy, treatment of sexual problems, trauma, sexual identity, gender identity, and reproductive health care. Learners examine scholarly literature related to the implications of these issues and research evidence-based interventions in human sexuality.

Learners in this course gain an understanding of common sexuality concerns including low sexual desire, sexual compulsivity, recovery from sexual abuse, and treatment of sex offenders. Learners analyze strategies for sex therapy and demonstrate competence in cultural elements associated with sex therapy, taking a sex history, and assessment. Prerequisite(s): PSY5115.

This course presents current addiction research, clinical trends, and substantive field-related issues. Learners use evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence to examine ways of identifying and defining substance-related problems and behaviors with addictive features and toexplore pharmacologic and other emerging treatment approaches. Other course topics include managed care, mental health parity, Internet resources used in addiction training and treatment, and the changing role of the counselor in the addiction field.

In this course, learners examine the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of various forms of psychopathology throughout the lifespan. Learners review the etiology of psychopathology; examine theories and research of psychopathology; and explore current methods of psychological interviewing, assessment, diagnosis, andtreatment. Learners also discuss the politics of mental disorders, emerging diagnoses, and ethical and multicultural issues associated with psychopathology.

This course is an exploration of family psychology focused on family systems theory, research, and models. Learners examine the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors of individual family members and the structure and function of the family system as a whole. Learners also study styles of family interaction, family boundaries, family roles, and the family lifecycle. Prerequisite(s): PSY6015.

Learners in this course apply psychological theories to explain and improve sport performance. Learners evaluate the implications of new research for professional practice in sport psychology and explore the ways in which they can meet the unique needs of diverse participants through customized coaching strategies. In particular, learners examine personality, attention, anxiety, arousal and arousal adjustment strategies, cognitive-behavioral intervention, causal attribution, motivation, and self confidence. Prerequisite(s): PSY6110.

Learners in this course examine the mechanisms athletes use to exceed their perceived physical and mental limitations. In addition, learners apply performance enhancement theories and techniques to help clients improve athletic performance. Topics include strategies such as visualization, meditation, hypnosis, autogenic training, biofeedback, and progressive relaxation. Prerequisite(s): PSY6810.

Learners in this course acquire and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to apply fundamental sport psychology concepts to their chosen profession. Learners consider ethical issues, their personal approach to sport psychology practice, and ways to use research to inform their work. Learners also examine the significance of working with diverse populations and expanding their areas of expertise. Prerequisite(s): PSY6820.

In this course, learners critically analyze the research, theories, and practices of sport psychology. Learners examine current issues in sports and determine ways to ethically and professionally apply sport psychology practices to educate sports participants and to improve the performance of athletes.Prerequisite(s): PSY6820.

Learners investigate the fundamental theoretical, empirical, and ethical bases of forensic psychology and prepares learners for the advanced practical training covered in PSY6920 and PSY6930. Learners develop forensic assessment methodology skills and study psychology’s role in the judicial system, the differences between clinical and forensic psychological practice, and parameters of ethical practice in forensic psychology. Learners also analyze the basic functions of forensic practice in civil, criminal, juvenile, and family law contexts and basic principles of testimony. Prerequisite(s): PSY6210

The primary focus of PSY6920 is on the methodology and mechanics for performing different forensic activities including training in methodology. The course also focuses on practical applications and skill-building in different forensic practice areas. The course presents forensic evaluation methodologies including competency to stand trial, insanity defense, child custody, fitness to parent, mitigating defenses, and recidivism. Evaluating malingering and understanding the guidelines for ethical practice are emphasized throughout the course. Prerequisite(s): PSY6910.

Learners in this course analyze current forensic psychology issues and examine appropriate application of scientific methods to forensic situations. Topics include eye-witness identification, legal decision making, forensic assessment and reporting, criminal defenses, profiling, polygraphy, risk assessment, jury composition, scientific jury selection, and other selected topics of interest to both the psychology and legal fields. Prerequisite(s): PSY6210, PSY6910, PSY6920.

This course is an introduction to physiological psychology and associated topics, including genetics, functional neuroanatomy, and physiology. Learners develop and demonstrate an understanding of brain functioning; sensory systems; attention, memory, perception, and language mechanisms; and the effects of neurotransmitters on human behavior. Learners also identify the relationship between brain functions and behavioral disorders and analyze current physiological psychology research, ethics, and the implications of culture and diversity on field-related issues.

Learners in this course explore the behavioral and therapeutic effects of psychoactive drugs. Course topics include synaptic transmission, behavioral role of specific neuromodulatory systems, pharmacological treatment of mental and neurological disorders, addiction, the various side effects of psychoactive drugs, and how these may interact with key characteristics such as age or general health. Drug effects on learning, creativity, memory, sleep, perception, and sexual functioning receive special attention. Learners also examine the efficacy of treating patients with a combination of psychotherapy and psychotropic medications for a number of diagnosed mental disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, obsessive compulsive behavior, schizophrenia, and childhood disorders.

This course is an examination of personality development from the perspective of several theoretical orientations: psychodynamic, humanistic/ existential, dispositional, and learning theory. Learners analyze and evaluate these theories and consider how other factors such as culture and gender contribute to personality development. This course also allows learners to apply personality theory to their professional practice.

In this course, learners gain an understanding of the basic foundations, philosophy, and concepts underlying the science of behavior analysis. Learners differentiate between therapeutic approaches that are behavior-analytic and those that are not. Learners acquire knowledge of the basic principles and analyze behavior and environmental events surrounding the occurrence of behavior. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this course, learners further examine the concepts underlying the science of behavior analysis. Learners discern the different types of antecedents and consequences that effect behavior. Learners practice speaking in the scientific terminology used in the science of behavior analysis. Learners also gain a basic understanding of Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in PSY7708. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this course examine behavioral and biomedical theory and research in order to gain an understanding of the contributions of psychological factors to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and illness. Learners evaluate research design and the role of research in health psychology and consider the effect of the patient-physician relationship, the importance of interprofessional work, and theories that predict health behaviors. In particular, learners define and explore adherence and psychoneuroimmunology, examine behavior related to the diseases of cancer and hypertension, assess treatment recommendations, and identify coping strategies for the patient and family. In addition, learners investigate prevention and wellness in the contexts of intentional and unintentional injuries and discuss health, life expectancy, and quality of life.

In this course, learners explore various psychological theories, concepts, and principles ofmotivation. Learners evaluate the factors of motivation that influence personal and professional performance, success, and satisfaction. Learners also synthesize research in order to identify, assess, and integrate motivational strategies and apply models of performance enhancement.