Marymount

CE 508 Crisis Intervention
Familiarizes the student with the different aspects of crisis intervention, including an examination of an effective crisis therapist; crisis assessment; intervention strategies and techniques; and a critical analysis of developmental, situational, and existential crises. (3)

CE 509 Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention
The goal is to familiarize the student with the various aspects of substance abuse and its treatment. Topics include definitions and conceptualizations of substance abuse; medical,social, and behavioral models of addiction; psychopharmacology of drugs; and intervention strategies and techniques. (3)

CE 524 Theories and Techniques of Family Counseling
Provides an eclectic view of family dynamics and counseling strategies while also providing the student with practical skills for working with families of diverse backgrounds. Prerequisite: CE 522C or CE 522S. (3)

 

CE 551 Multicultural Counseling
A survey of minority mental health literature concerning the role of cultural, ethnic, and racial influences on behavior, coping, symptoms, assessment, psychopathology, and treatment. Focus is on developing an understanding of the impact of ethnicity on the mental health status of minority individuals. (3)

 

CJ 501 Victims of Interpersonal Violence
An examination of contemporary victimology as it relates to physical violence in personal relationships. The course’s emphasis on current theory and practice with respect to violent behavior and governmental and organizational treatment of victims will assist students in becoming aware of victims’ unique plight in American society. This course examines physical violence in American families, including spouse, child, and elder abuse, and other forms of interpersonal harm. (3)

CJ 508 Principles of Forensic Science I
An advanced examination of investigative and laboratory techniques used in the investigation of criminal offenses. Also examined are methods for searching crime scenes, analysis of firearm evidence, fingerprints, serology (including DNA), toxicology, questioned documents, and drugs. Major crimes, death investigation, and pathology are also explored. Prerequisite: graduate or undergraduate credits in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, or permission of instructor. (3)

CJ 509 Principles of Forensic Science II: Advanced Criminalistics
A continuation of the introduction to investigative and laboratory techniques used in the forensic analysis of criminal offenses at an advanced level. Examined are forensic pathology, anthropology, and toxicology; firearm, toolmark, trace material, questioned document, drug, arson, and bombing evidence. Major emphasis is placed on the legal aspects of evidence, including investigator and examiner documentation and reporting, and courtroom process and testimony. Prerequisite: CJ 508 or permission of the instructor. (3)

 

LA 500 Introduction to the Legal System
A study of law and federal and state court systems. Surveys various kinds of law practices, the roles of attorneys and paralegals, ethics, and legal research. Substantive reports following visits to local courts are required. (3)

LA 590 Supervising Legal Research and Writing
A study of terms, publications, and legal research tools and techniques. Provides students with a clear understanding of legal terminology and its use in the preparation of legal briefs, memoranda, and opinions as students perform legal research and draft legal documents. Emphasizes proper citation format. (3)

LA 591 Advanced Legal Research and Writing/Computerized Legal Research
Provides experience in using Lexis, Westlaw, and the Internet in conducting legal research and provides advanced legal writing instruction. Emphasizes proper citation format. Prerequisite: LA 590. (3)

PS 500 Research and Evaluation
Provides an overview of various research approaches, methods and techniques, with an  emphasis on interpretation of published research data. Topics include methods of data analysis, research designs, data collection techniques, and writing research reports. (Also listed as CE 500.) (3)

PS 501 Bases of Psychopathology
Examines various contemporary views of abnormal behavior such as the medical, behavioristic, and humanistic models, and theories of personality. Disorders are examined in terms of individual, biological, and socially causative factors. (Also listed as CE 501.) (3)

PS 507 Social Psychology of Aggression
Focusing on how social and individual factors influence behavior, the course addresses topics such as the nature of human nature, causes of aggression, the expression of aggression, aggression in the public sphere, and controlling and preventing aggression. (3)

PS 517 Neuropsychological Issues, Treatments,and Assessments
The impact of biological and physiological factors on human psychological functioning is investigated with primary focus on how these factors impact on the etiology of psychiatric disorders. Assessment of neurophysiological factors and available treatment options also are discussed. (3)

 

PS 529 Psychopathology of Childhood and Adolescence
A systematic study of behavioral and emotional disorders in children and adolescents including identification of factors impacting on deviance: genetic, biological, cognitive, familial, and social. (3)

 

Introduces the students to the field of forensic psychology. Basic areas covered are an overview of the American legal system; an overview of the American mental health system; legal research and writing; psychological research and writing; academic integrity and ethical issues in forensic psychology; legal ethics; locating and applying for an internship; security clearances, career issues, and networking; understanding the Forensic Psychology Student Handbook; issues in the Marymount Forensic Psychology program; and various specific topics in the field. (3)

 

This course provides an introductory understanding of the interrelationships between psychology and the law in criminal, civil, juvenile, and family law settings. Particular attention is given to issues of insanity and incompetence in criminal proceedings, civil commitment, rights of mental patients, ethical issues for forensic psychologists, and legal regulation of mental heatlh practice. (3)

 

Designed to introduce the logic of legal reasoning and to analyze the interaction between legal and psychological thinking. Students will study the U.S. Constitution and selected major court opinions. They will examine the structure of the American adversary system, debate its strengths and weaknesses, and propose solutions to its problems. (3)

 

Examines the psychological factors leading to the causes, classification, and treatment of juvenile offenders. Students will explore psychodynamic and developmental approaches, emphasizing neurotic, constitutional, and psychological factors contributing to the delinquency and the implications they hold for alternative methods of treatment. (3)

 

Provides basic understanding of the origins and consequences of criminal behavior including biological, cognitive, behavioral, psychosocial, and developmental perspectives. (3) 

 

PS 585 Forensic Assessment
This course will develop the capacity and competence of students to analyze and understand the psychological assessments most frequently required in forensic settings. Students will become familiar with test administration and interpretation as well as test design, methodology, and standardization data on a variety of assessment tools. Prerequisite: PS 501. (3)

PS 586 Field Experience in Criminal Court
Offers the student an opportunity to spend a significant amount of time observing in criminal court under the mentorship of a judge. Students will study trial advocacy (the parts of the trial; effective advocacy; and the role of the lawyers, judges, parties, and witnesses) and critically evaluate the court system. Students who take this course should be prepared for multiple readings and additional hours undertaking course activities. Students will have the opportunity to talk with judges and attorneys on a regular basis. (3)

PS 587 Psychology, Social Policy, and Law
Introduces the student to issues in the development and implementation of public policy in the legal system, with special emphasis on the role of psychological knowledge. The course will acquaint the student with theoretical issues of policy development and the basics of the legislative process, as well as provide an opportunity to work on a selected policy issue. (3)

 

PS 588 Police Psychology
Provides the student with a foundation in the field of police psychology, specifically the role of the psychologist and the use of psychological principles and concepts in the police department. Traditional roles of the psychologist, as well as new and emerging functions, will be addressed. (3)

PS 589 Behavioral Criminology
This elective is an introduction to behavioral criminology, the analysis of criminal behavior and its underlying motivations from an investigative as well as a psychological perspective. The techniques involved in this field can be used to help solve crimes and identify offenders. (3)

PS 590 Issues in Criminal Assessment and Investigation
This team-taught course offers an in-depth analysis of several important areas of forensic psychology: false confessions, investigative interviewing and the polygraph, and violence risk assessment. Combining both theoretical knowledge and practical application of current research in these fields, it demonstrates the appropriate use of the polygraph and other techniques used in assessment and interrogation, paying special attention to the complex ethical issues in this area of forensic psychology. (3)

PS 591 Child Victimization
Child victimization is a serious social problem that is receiving increased attention in forensic psychology. In this course, students will examine research, theory, and clinical practice involving a variety of issues in the field, such as child abuse and neglect, traumatic grief, child witnesses, international human trafficking, child victims as offenders, bullying, and Internet crimes against children. Prevention, intervention, policy, and legal system concerns will be addressed. (3)

PS 592 Foundations of Political Psychology
This elective offers the students a foundation in the field of political psychology, an interdisciplinary behavioral science that provides psychological profiling and assessment of political leaders and group behavior. In addition, this course covers aspects of the field of psychological operations and the role of culture in political personality profiling. (3)

PS 598 Project
Individually arranged seminar to explore in greater depth an area of interest to the student. May only be taken after 75 percent of the program requirements are fulfilled. Prerequisite: permission of the dean of the School of Education and Human Services. (3)

PS 599F Internship: Forensic Psychology
Designed to give the student supervised experience working in a forensic setting. The internship requires a total of 300 hours, including attending a seminar at Marymount. Internship sites will be selected in conjunction with the Forensic Psychology faculty. In order to be admitted to the internship, the student must have completed the internship application process that includes a review of the student’s progress, submission of appropriate paperwork, documentation of student professional liability insurance, and permission of the faculty. Prerequisites: PS 501, PS 580, PS 581, and 12 additional program credits. (3)

 

SOC 507 Juvenile Justice
An advanced examination of the history and purpose of the juvenile justice system that includes the role of the U.S. Supreme Court. The course also evaluates the extent and nature of juvenile delinquency in contemporary America; examines theoretical explanations of juvenile delinquency; and addresses the physical, emotional, and societal problems faced by juveniles today. Students will also study the treatment and punishment of juvenile offenders using cutting-edge research. (Also listed as CJ 507.) (3)

 

SOC 510 Theories of Social Deviance
Presents a theoretical overview of the nature and meaning of social deviance. It examines how sociologists, social psychologists, and criminologists analyze deviant behavior. Topics include anomie and conflict theories, violence, labeling and learning theory, drug use, economic and political deviance, sexual deviance, suicide and mental disorders, and physical disabilities. (3)