Psychology

Department Chair: Joshua Swift

Professors: Michele Brumley, Shannon Lynch, Erin Rasmussen, Joshua Swift, Kandi Turley-Ames, Maria Wong, Xiaomeng (Mona) Xu

Associate Professors: Erika Fulton, Samuel Peer, Robert Rieske

Assistant Professors: Sarah Emert, Kimberley Johnson, Andrew Silva

Associate Lecturers: Tessa Anderson, Jennifer McDonald

Lecturer: Pete Molino

Emeritus: Linda Enloe, Linda Hatzenbuehler, Victor Joe, Mark Roberts

Program Description	Type	Degree
M.S. in Psychology	Degree	M.S.
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology	Degree	Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology	Degree	Ph.D.
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology	Degree	Psy.D.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology

The Ph.D. program in clinical psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).  It is the goal of the doctoral training program to produce clinical psychologists who are well trained in the science of human behavior and its application to diverse clinical populations. All students are required to participate in course work and practica that emphasize assessments and treatments in all major areas of child and adult psychopathology. Evaluations of each student’s clinical-professional development and scholarship-research skills are continuous.

Learning Objectives

The Clinical Training Committee (CTC), in conjunction with the Psychology Department, has evolved a finite set of aims for all graduate students in the clinical training program that are consistent with APA accreditation standards. Specific program activities designed to help students meet program aims are continuously scrutinized and modified.

• Aim 1: To produce students who become competent clinical psychologists who recognize the reciprocal relationship between science and practice and integrate research and theory from diverse areas of psychology into their evidence-based practice.
• Aim 2: To produce students who can comprehend and critically evaluate psychological science and plan, execute, and disseminate research relevant to the field of psychology.
• Aim 3: To produce students who have knowledge of and embody the ethical standards of the profession of psychology and who demonstrate appropriate professional conduct and professional interpersonal relationships.
• Aim 4: To produce students who are sensitive to cultural and individual differences and diverse value or belief systems and effectively integrate aspects of diversity into case conceptualization, assessment, and treatment delivery.

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology

The PsyD program in clinical psychology was designed with APA accreditation standards in mind. Although it is not currently accredited by APA because it is a new program, we plan to apply for accreditation status as soon as it is allowed (the program has to graduate its first cohort of students). The PsyD program is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce as practicing Psychologists, addressing the mental health needs in their local communities. The program is constructed to take five years for completion, including four years of coursework and clinical training based out of the ISU Meridian campus as well as one year of an approved doctoral internship at a site external to the university. The program has an Integrated Behavioral Health mission, with specific telehealth training and experience. All students are required to participate in course work and practica that emphasize assessments and treatments in all major areas of child and adult psychopathology. Evaluations of each student’s clinical-professional development are continuous.

Learning Objectives

By the completion of the Psy.D. Program in Clinical Psychology, students will:

• Learning Objective 1: have obtained a foundational understanding of (a) history and systems of psychology, (b) affective aspects of behavior, (c) biological aspects of behavior, (d) cognitive aspects of behavior, (e) developmental aspects of behavior, (f) social aspects of behavior, (g) research methods, (h) statistical analysis, (i) psychometrics, and (j) their integration as it applies to clinical practice.
• Learning Objective 2: be able to (a) produce new knowledge, (b) critically evaluate and use existing knowledge to solve problems, and (c) disseminate research as it applies to the field of clinical psychology.
• Learning Objective 3: know and appreciate the current version of the American Psychological Association Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct; relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing health service psychology; and relevant professional standards and guidelines and act in accordance with them in their roles as clinical psychologists.
• Learning Objective 4: be able to conduct all professional activities with sensitivity to human diversity, including the ability to deliver high quality evidence-based psychological services to a diverse population.
• Learning Objective 5: be able to demonstrate a commitment to professional values and attitudes consistent with professional standards.
• Learning Objective 6: be able to demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Learning Objective 7: be able to conduct evidence-based assessment consistent with the scope of health service psychology, including a knowledge of and ability to apply diagnostic classification systems, an ability to select and apply appropriate assessment methods, an ability to interpret assessment results, and an ability to communicate (orally and written) findings and implications from assessments.
• Learning Objective 8: be able to provide evidence-based interventions consistent with the scope of health service psychology, including an ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with the recipients of psychological services, an ability to develop and implement evidence-based intervention plans based on the recipient’s individual goals and needs, and the ability to evaluate intervention effectiveness.
• Learning Objective 9: understand evidence-based supervision models and practices and be able to effectively deliver evidence-based supervision.
• Learning Objective 10: demonstrate respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions and understand evidence-based consultation models and practices. 

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Experimental Psychology

Doctoral training in Experimental Psychology provides students with education and research training in the core areas of psychological science, e.g., personality, social psychology, learning, cognition, developmental psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. Students who complete the doctoral program may pursue academic or non-academic careers. To prepare for their future careers, students need to (i) have a solid foundation in basic areas of psychology (breadth of knowledge) and also (ii) develop an expertise in their research areas (depth of knowledge). Our program offers a variety of courses to help students accomplish their career goals.

Learning Objectives

Six program learning objectives have been defined:

• Demonstrate area-specific research knowledge and expertise
• Demonstrate breadth of knowledge and integration of core areas in psychology
• Demonstrate general competencies in research methodology and analysis
• Develop effective communication skills
• Demonstrate professionalism
• Demonstrate ethical research conduct
• Develop respect for diversity

Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology

Students enrolled in the Clinical and Experimental Psychology doctoral programs earn a Master's of Science in Psychology as they work towards their doctorate, for course work completed along the way. This is not a stand-alone Master of Science in Psychology program.

Learning Objectives

To ensure that students who receive a master’s degree in psychology will be prepared for further post-graduate study and for careers in related areas, the department has identified the following learning objectives:

• Understand core areas and the breadth of the field of psychology and its applications;
• Be able to integrate knowledge and theories across, and to think critically about, topics within the domains of psychology;
• Be competent in library information technology and computer applications related to the study of psychology;
• Be competent in scientific methodology and analysis as they apply to the study of psychology;
• Be able to communicate effectively, in both oral and written form, about issues within the field of psychology;
• Actively participate in the research process; and
• Understand and comply with the APA code of ethics pertaining to research conduct.