Clinical Psychopharmacology (RXPP)

How to Read Course Descriptions

The bolded first line begins with a capitalized abbreviation that designates the subject area followed by the course number and title. The number of credits earned by taking the courses is also displayed.

The course description is a brief summary of the purpose of the course and the topics covered. Any requisite courses are listed and could include the following:

Courses showing the abbreviation “COREQ” require simultaneous registration with each course named as a corequisite.
The abbreviation “PRE-or-COREQ” means that each course named may have been taken prior to or may be taken concurrently with the course for which it is required.
Courses showing the abbreviation “PREREQ” require the courses named as prerequisites to have been taken previously.

If the course can be applied towards a General Education Objective, the applicable Objective is listed.

To assist with your academic planning, courses in the Undergraduate Catalog are designated according to the semester they are usually offered. Unanticipated faculty vacancies and academic program changes may affect future course scheduling. Therefore, students should always contact the academic department to verify future course offerings, especially when specific courses are needed for graduation.

The following letters which appear after the course descriptions indicate the anticipated course scheduling:

F = Fall Semester, every year
S = Spring Semester, every year
Se = Sequential; a series of courses is presented until all have been taught.
Su = Summer Semester, every year
EF, ES, ESu = Even-numbered years, Fall, Spring, or Summer Semester
OF, OS, OSu = Odd-numbered years, Fall, Spring, or Summer Semester
D = Students should contact the Department to ask when this course will be offered.
R1 = Course is rotated every year, either Fall or Spring
R2 = Course is rotated every two years, either Fall or Spring
R3 = Course is rotated every three years, either Fall or Spring

How to Read Course Descriptions

Courses

RXPP 5543 Anatomy and Physiology for Clinicians: 3 semester hours.

This course provides a clinical approach to the study of the primary body systems (neurologic, musculoskeletal, renal, hepatic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, etc.) that is an integration of both foundational knowledge and application to practice. Will focus on both the structure and function of the primary body systems providing a base knowledge for future courses to build upon. PREREQ: Admission to the program

RXPP 5544 Cell and Molecular Neuroscience: 3 semester hours.

This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to combining principles from biochemistry and cell biology. Focus will be placed on cell structure, function, and metabolism, as well as inorganic and organic chemistry principles. PREREQ: Admission to the program

RXPP 6602 Introduction to Prescribing Psychologists: 1 semester hour.

This course will provide an introduction to clinical psychopharmacology, the biomedical model, medical ethics, medical decision-making, and the US healthcare system. PREREQ: Admission to the program

RXPP 6603 Supervised Clinical Experience I: 1 semester hour.

Each student will follow an approved supervising preceptor and observe the practical aspects of patient care, including physical and laboratory assessment and psychotropic medication prescribing. This course provides further development of the skills learned in RXPP 6611 and RXPP 6611L. Registration with instructor approval.

RXPP 6604 Integrated Psychopharmacotherapy I: 3 semester hours.

This is one of a required three - course psychopharmacotherapeutics series. The concepts in this course are intended to be synchronous with the other courses in the psychopharmacotherapeutics series. These didactic courses will cover fundamental therapeutic principles of psychiatric and neurologic disorders. Disciplines reviewed will include pathophysiology, pharmacology and therapeutics of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, with emphasis on the safe and effective utilization of medication therapy as a component of holistic management of psychiatric disorders. PREREQ: RXPP 6603

RXPP 6605 Integrated Psychopharmacotherapy II: 3 semester hours.

RXPP 6606 Integrated Psychopharmacotherapy III: 3 semester hours.

RXPP 6607 Professional and Legal Issues for Prescribing Psychologists: 3 semester hours.

This course will review ethical, legal, and other professional considerations to the practice of prescribing psychotropic medications, including informed consent, interprofessional relationships, and collaborative practice. PREREQ: RXPP 6602

RXPP 6608 Psychopharmacology Capstone: 3 semester hours.

This course will review all aspects of the prescribing process covered in the program curriculum as well as a discussion of special topics and current events of relevance to prescribing psychologists, including preparation for the PEP exam. The course will be student-led and incorporate presentations, discussions, and a variety of active learning techniques. PREREQ: RXPP 6606

RXPP 6610 Prescribing Psychology Fellowship: 1 semester hour.

Each student will collaborate with an approved supervising preceptor to provide patient care in designated settings, including physical and laboratory assessment and supervised psychotropic medication prescribing. Specific requirements for hours to be completed, number of patients, and necessary documentation is available from the program. PREREQ: RXPP 6603

RXPP 6611 Advanced Health Assessment: 3 semester hours.

This is a foundational course emphasizing the elements of advanced health assessment in the adult population. This course focuses on clinical reasoning, patient and inter-professional communication, documentation, differential diagnoses, and physical assessment skills. Registration with instructor approval.

RXPP 6611L Advanced Health Assessment Lab: 1 semester hour.

This is a foundational course emphasizing acquisition and application of advanced health assessment skills in diverse populations. Skills include health history, physical assessment, and health promotion. This is a laboratory course that will include clinical and learning experiences.

RXPP 6620 Advanced Human Pathophysiology: 3 semester hours.

The focus of this course is the pathophysiologic changes at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels in humans. The content focuses on alterations in cell tissue, organ, and systemic function and the manifestations of pathophysiological processes by using selected disease states through the lifespan. Students will examine the relationship between normal physiology and pathological phenomena using current evidence. Registration with instructor approval.

RXPP 6640 Research and Writing for Prescribing Psychologists: 3 semester hours.

This course focuses on the principles of clinical and scientific drug research, with an emphasis on licit and illicit psychoactive drugs.