Department of Psychology and Child Development

Psychology and Child Development

William Potter, Ph.D., Chair

Psychology

William Potter, Ph.D., Chair

Professors: Asher, Baker, Cortez, Hesse, Howard, Myers, Nelson, Potter, Stanislaw, Strongin, Wakefield
Associate Professor: Roy
Assistant Professors: Dempsey, Guichard, Luevano

Office: Bizzini Hall 231
Phone: (209) 667-3386

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with optional concentrations in Developmental Psychology or Experimental Psychology
Master of Arts in Psychology General or with a concentration in Behavior Analysis
Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Behavior Analysis or Counseling Psychology

The University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with an interdepartmental major in Psychology and any other two disciplines within the Social Sciences. (See the Social Sciences section of this catalog.)

Teaching Credentials

Psychology students interested in obtaining a single subject teaching credential are directed to the Social Sciences Subject Matter Preparation Program in the Social Sciences section of this catalog. Also refer to the Teacher Education section of this catalog for other requirements to be completed in obtaining a single subject credential.

Special Education Credentials

Mild/Moderate Disabilities
Moderate/Severe Disabilities

Students planning careers in the field of teaching exceptional children should consult with the credential adviser in the College of Education regarding program requirements.

Master of Arts in Psychology

The Master of Arts program in Psychology is designed 1) to prepare students for advanced graduate work, or 2) for those students who desire a research-oriented program. The Master of Arts in Psychology: Behavior Analysis is designed to meet the coursework requirements for becoming a BCBA. Admission to the program is competitive.

Master of Science in Psychology

The primary purpose of the Master of Science program in Psychology is to develop mastery of a substantial body of knowledge and skills for students planning careers in counseling or behavior analysis. Students completing the Counseling Concentration or the Behavior Analysis Concentration meet the educational requirements for the Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT) License. The Behavior Analysis Concentration is also accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis and meets the course requirements for the Behavior Analysis Certification Board. The Behavior Analysis concentration emphasizes applied behavior analysis and trains students for positions in a wide range of applied and counseling settings. The Counseling Concentration emphasizes a variety of counseling theories and skills in training students for positions in counseling settings. Admission to the program is competitive.

Program Learning Outcomes: B.A. in Psychology

Psychology majors will:

Demonstrate psychological literacy.
Be able to identify strengths and weaknesses in psychological studies.
Apply psychology concepts to address real-world problems.
Communicate effectively in formal and informal written and oral modes.
Be able to identify the commonalities and differences among different theoretical frameworks.
Describe and act in accordance with the scientist-practioner model.
Act according to ethical principles adopted by the profession.

Program Learning Outcomes: M.A. in Psychology

Provide students with research methodology and statistical skills, enabling them to conduct and evaluate research.
Successfully mentor students in the advanced study of a specific area in Psychology (BCBA content courses in the Behavior Analysis concentration).
Provide students with problem-solving skills related to the ethical issues of research and professional conduct.

Program Learning Outcomes: M.S. in Psychology

Provide students with exposure to multiple approaches to therapy.
Provide students with counseling skills, and problem-solving skills related to working with clients.
Provide students with exposure to working with a variety of populations (e.g., children, families, couples, indigent individuals, various diagnoses, etc.).
Provide students with research methodology and statistical skills, enabling them to conduct, evaluate, and apply research.
Prepare students to meet the majority of the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) requirements to obtain the MFT license in California and BCBA content in the Behavior Analysis concentration.
Provide students with legal and ethical competence consistent with being a professional psychologist.

Child Development

Victoria Cortez, Ph.D., Program Director

Professors: Asher, Cortez
Associate Professor: Roy

Office: Bizzini Hall 231
Phone: (209) 667-3386

Bachelor of Arts in Child Development
Minor in Child Development
Child Development Graduate Certificate
Liberal Studies degree concentration in Child Development
Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Concentration in Child Development

Undergraduate Competencies

The undergraduate program is organized around six broad competencies—child development knowledge/foundations; the research process; legal, ethical and pragmatic issues; professionalism and leadership; child guidance, and integration of a personal/professional world view. Students are introduced to these competencies in CDEV 3000 Professional Issues in Child Development, at the beginning of their program, and compile a professional portfolio to document their progress throughout their academic program. These portfolios are presented at the end of the program in CDEV 4965, Senior Seminar.

Liberal Studies Concentration in Child Development

Please refer to the Liberal Studies section of the catalog.

State of California Children’s Center Permits

California requires that individuals who serve as teachers and administrators of funded child development programs hold permits issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. See your academic adviser for coursework that is likely to meet these requirements. Applications for the Child Center Permit may be picked up at the University Credential Processing Center at Demergasso-Bava Hall 303.

Program Learning Outcomes

Child Development Knowledge/Foundations: Graduating students will demonstrate a strong understanding of the child development theories, developmental knowledge, contemporary issues and the relationship between theory and research.
The Research Process: Students will demonstrate information competency, the ability to critically evaluate research, and an understanding of research and developmental methods as well as ethical issues related to doing research with children.
Leadership: Students will have refined management and personal skills as well as the ability to work successfully in a team setting.
Child Guidance: Students will demonstrate strong child guidance skills and an understanding of developmentally appropriate behavior.
Integration: Students should be able to integrate what they have learned into a cohesive framework so that they can successfully argue a position on an issue and be able to speak of their personal worldview regarding child development.
Legal, Ethical, and Pragmatic Issues: Students will be aware of children’s rights, engage in advocacy for children, and demonstrate good moral character.