M.S. Psychology Course Descriptions
All courses are three (3) credit hours unless otherwise specified.
PHT 508 The Catholic Christian Vision of Flourishing: Vocations and Virtues (Core Course)
The vision of human flourishing that one adopts is crucial for understanding and concretely addressing human problems. This course develops the Catholic Christian vision of personal and interpersonal flourishing in terms of vocations and virtues, and human and spiritual resources. First, students explore three levels of vocation and their discernment: (1) a call to goodness and holiness; (2) a call to being single, married, ordained or religious (consecrated); and (3) a call to work and to service to one’s neighbors. Emphasis is placed on courtship and on marriage, which is understood as a natural and divine institution that serves to support and protect individuals, families, and society. Second, students explore the rich teaching on achieving personal growth and freedom through building up their practical reasoning, moral character, and spiritual life of faith, hope, and charity, which have an impact on everyday life, the helping professions, and vocational commitments. Students examine how Catholic Christian practices can be sources of relationship, support, growth, healing, and flourishing. Lastly, the course will identify psychological theory, evidence, and interventions that support this vision of human flourishing, a life of virtue, and committed vocations.
PHT 510 Spiritual Growth and Discernment (Pastoral and Spiritual Care Concentration)
This course examines the human person through the integrated lens of Catholic Christian anthropology and psychological science, emphasizing the inherent dignity, relational nature, moral agency, and spiritual vocation of every individual. Students explore God’s plan for human flourishing as revealed in Scripture and tradition, including the effects of grace, sin, virtue, and vice on psychological and spiritual development. The course introduces the theological and psychological foundations of spiritual accompaniment, including the identity and role of the spiritual director, the history of the practice, and the dynamics of discernment. Particular attention is given to recognizing the movements of the Holy Spirit and distinguishing them from psychological or emotional phenomena. Designed for psychology students preparing to support others in their interior and relational growth, this course fosters a holistic understanding of the person oriented toward healing, integration, and communion with God and others.
PHT 543 Catholic Christian Marriage and Human Sexuality (Pastoral and Spiritual Care Concentration)
PHT 543 Catholic Christian Marriage and Human Sexuality introduces students to marriage as a natural and divine institution that serves the flourishing and protection of individuals, families, and society. Students will examine sexual difference from biological, psychological, and theological perspectives focusing on the writings of St. John Paul II, particularly his Theology of the Body. A Catholic Christian understanding of masculinity and femininity and its implications for complementarity for relational and family flourishing will be explored. Students will analyze several contemporary challenges to marital flourishing and examine possible ways to strengthen the family as the domestic church in a diverse world through growth in virtue.
PSY 515 Cognition, Emotion, and Motivation (Core Course)
The Cognition, Emotion, and Motivation course introduces a basic understanding of the terminology, foundation, theory, and research of cognitive psychology and the neurosciences. Emphasis is on the interrelatedness of cognition, emotion, behavior, and motivation across the lifespan. Students evaluate concepts of self-agency and morality through a neuroscience lens integrated with the Catholic Christian vision of the human person. Students focus on developing an awareness of the complexities of cognitions, emotions, and motivations in themselves and others. Students will be able to appraise interventions that address these complexities informed by the Catholic Christian vision of the human person.
PSY 550 Helping People Flourish: A Catholic Christian Approach to Psychology (Core Course)
In this course, students explore the richness of understanding behaviors, emotions, and thoughts through the study of psychology—informed by philosophy and theology—to aid self and others in flourishing. Students engage in exercises in reflection and practical application using resources that are present throughout their graduate study of psychology, and work toward building a foundation for academic and professional success as scholar-practitioners and agents of positive change. Students also learn to integrate a Catholic Christian vision of the person with best practices in psychological theory, research, and intervention. This holistic view affirms the person as possessing intrinsic dignity, as free and able to make responsible choices, relational and connected to others and society, and as seeking psychological well-being, moral character, and spiritual growth. Finally, students assess the benefits of the graduate study of psychology for their personal and professional goals through creating a professional development plan. The course concludes with a two day mandatory online residency to deepen students’ understanding of these foundational concepts together as a virtual learning community. This course includes a mandatory 2 day virtual residency.
PSY 556 Helping Skills for Pastoral and Spiritual Care (Pastoral and Spiritual Care Concentration)
This course prepares students to develop the core competencies necessary for effective pastoral and spiritual care within a variety of ministry and caregiving contexts. Emphasis is placed on cultivating essential interpersonal skills such as active listening, empathic presence, trust-building, and spiritual discernment. Students will practice skills in spiritual conversation, pastoral assessment, intervention planning, and accompaniment of individuals and groups through life challenges, crises, and transitions. Topics include ethical decision-making grounded in Christian moral theology, multicultural and interfaith sensitivity, and appropriate referral and case management practices. The course also addresses practical skills in de-escalation, conflict resolution, and ministering in emotionally intense situations. Throughout, students are encouraged to integrate theological understanding, psychological insight, and pastoral wisdom in fostering healing, dignity, and spiritual growth in those they serve.
PSY 560 Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan (Core Course)
Students in this course explore the biological, psychological, and social factors of human growth and development through the lifespan from conception through aging and end of life. Students examine basic processes and theories, and evaluate the developmental milestones that occur across the lifespan. Topics covered include emotional, cognitive, interpersonal, moral, and spiritual development. This course presents a special focus on flourishing across the lifespan and the application of developmental insights to practical issues that arise within the helping professions. (3 credit hrs)
PSY 566 Grief and Bereavement Across the Lifespan (Pastoral and Spiritual Care Concentration)
This course explores the psychological, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of grief and bereavement with particular emphasis on responses to death and loss across the lifespan. Grounded in a Catholic-Christian understanding of the human person, students examine the meaning of suffering, death, and hope in the context of eternal life and human dignity. The course addresses developmental differences in how loss is experienced, cultural and familial influences on mourning, and the impact of sudden, traumatic, and anticipated death. Special attention is given to fostering resilience and adaptive coping, as well as the role of faith, ritual, and community in supporting those who grieve. Students will develop clinically and pastorally sensitive approaches to accompany individuals and families through experiences of loss, integrating psychological theory with theological and pastoral insight.
PSY 575 Social Psychology, Groups, and Diversity (Core Course)
In this course, students use the lens of social psychology and human diversity to examine both social perceptions/thoughts and social behavior—phenomena that pertain to the individual in society. Students explore the topics of forming impressions, stereotyping, social influence, attitude development and change, bias and discrimination, antisocial and prosocial behaviors, affiliation and attraction, and sex role behaviors, and consider how knowledge of these topics can be used to promote positive social change. The course also emphasizes how the various types of diversity impact the helping professionals and interventions chosen to assist clients. Areas of diversity include but are not limited to: culture, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, age, and those who are differently enabled.
PSY 581 Theories and Models of Pastoral Counseling (Core Course)
Theories and Models of Counseling and Personality introduces students to the primary theoretical models of personality theory and counseling practice, including psychodynamic, affective, cognitive, behavioral, humanistic, existential, interpersonal, multicultural, integrative, and systems theory. A focus on evidence-based practices that incorporate diversity issues with population-specific approaches is a significant feature of this course. Emphasis is on the importance of students recognizing belief systems that accurately reflect their own personal style and to recognize strategies and approaches likely to be most successful with a particular client population. Students will utilize case conceptualization to demonstrate their understanding of theoretical foundations as the basis of pastoral counseling practice and to evaluate and assess clinical situations for implementation of therapeutic interventions that are appropriate with diverse individuals, groups, and families. (3 credits)
PSY 586 Research and Evaluation (Core Course)
This course introduces students to foundational research methods and designs, including reliability, validity, evidence-based practice, needs assessment, and critical evaluation of published studies. Students will explore scales of measurement, descriptive statistics, and basic univariate inferential statistics commonly used in organizational, leadership, and pastoral care settings. Emphasis is placed on the use of ethical and culturally relevant strategies for conducting, interpreting, and reporting research results. Students will also learn how to develop and apply outcome measures to assess effectiveness in leadership initiatives and spiritual care programs.
PSY 590 Leading People and Programs (Organizational Leadership Concentration)
This course explores the psychology of an effective organization working with individuals and other organizations toward advancing personal flourishing and the common good. Students explore the meaning of organizational leadership, examining the core competencies needed to address the challenges organizations face in a diverse and changing world. Students study the characteristics of effective organizations while developing skills in communication, planning and goal-setting, leading change, decision making, motivating others, and conflict resolution. Being an effective leader also implies the ability to develop and grow with experience; students study the principles and techniques of leader and team member development. Finally, students learn how to assess needs and identify assets, then to design and implement programs that meet these needs.
PSY 595 Transformational Leadership (Organizational Leadership Concentration)
In this course the student analyzes the principles and the evidence base of transformational leadership from a Catholic Christian perspective. Students (1) appraise the value of transformational leadership for accomplishing an organizational mission and handling stressful situations; (2) develop authenticity and role modeling skills required to be a transformational leader; (3) evaluate the importance of being a role model and a servant leader; (4) analyze various motivational strategies for working with individuals and groups and strategies for building a learning organization and fostering personal and professional growth in others; and (5) demonstrate their understanding of the importance of lifelong learning by identifying specific goals for professional involvement and service beyond the completion of their studies at the University.
PSY 599 Academic Writing for Psychological Research (Core Course)
In this course students follow an individualized plan of study focused on the rigor of writing the capstone/thesis project. Students who transferred into the program or students who require additional time and support for the writing of the different parts of their capstone/thesis project will receive support in this course. In depth instruction on APA format and mastery of academic writing as applied to the capstone/thesis project will be the focus of this course. Students who received a grade below a B- in any of their major capstone sections (introduction, integrative literature review, psychological literature review, decision making and motivation paper, implementation and evaluation plan; and target population papers) will be required to take PSY 599 as a 1-credit course. Students receiving a grade below a B or desiring to improve their academic writing towards excellence are strongly encouraged to enroll in the course.
PSY 615 Applied Leadership Skills (Organizational Leadership Concentration)
In this course students appraise tenets of self leadership by examining personal biases, using critical self reflection, and evaluating self-regulatory behaviors affirming the fundamental goodness and innate dignity of the person. Students learn interpersonal skills relevant to a variety of leadership settings. Students analyze ethical principles and models of decision making related to the self, group, and organizational leadership. Students identify diversity issues especially relevant to leadership settings. The course emphasizes the value of leading with humility, authenticity, and self-sacrificial behaviors to promote flourishing in others.
PSY 620.1–3 Psychological Research and Writing (Core Course)
This three-term sequence course guides students through the development of a graduate-level research paper that emphasizes applied science and is informed by the Catholic-Christian vision of the person, with the goal of supporting the flourishing of the whole person. Through this research work students have the unique opportunity to further explore scientifically at a deeper level a topic related to an area of interest, work, or ministry. Students will select a research topic, develop a full research proposal, and submit a final research paper. The topic may, but is not required to, build on prior capstone work. (1 credit per term, total 3 credits)
PSY 620.4–6 Psychological Research and Writing (Core Course)
This three-term sequence course is available as an elective for students interested in exploring research writing at a deeper level that guides them through all the phases of planning and executing a scientific project that results in a master’s thesis. It builds on the work done in 620.1 through 620.3. The thesis must have an applied science emphasis informed by the Catholic Christian vision of the person with the overarching goal of supporting the flourishing of the whole person. Through this thesis work students have the unique opportunity to further explore scientifically at a deeper level a topic related to an area of interest, work, or organizational leadership. Students will generate research knowledge that can be shared professionally with others through their thesis, conference presentations, or peer-reviewed published articles to engage with the scientific and broader community. (1 credit per term, total 3 credits)
PSY 635 Organizational Financial Management and Resource Development (Organizational Leadership Concentration)
This course equips students with foundational knowledge and practical skills in financial planning, budgeting, fundraising, and grant writing within non-profit agencies and organizations. Emphasizing ethical stewardship and strategic resource development, students will learn to interpret financial statements, develop program budgets, and align funding strategies with mission-driven goals. Special attention is given to the financial responsibilities of leaders in non-profit agencies and organizations. Case studies and applied projects prepare students to manage limited resources effectively, pursue sustainable funding opportunities, and support long-term organizational impact. (3 credit hrs)
PSY 640 Advanced Statistical Analysis for Psychology and the Social Sciences (Core Course)
This course provides an in-depth exploration of statistical techniques used in psychological and social science research, with a particular focus on applications in leadership and organizational settings. Students will expand on foundational concepts to examine advanced univariate and introductory multivariate methods, including t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, regression, and factor analysis. Emphasis is placed on interpreting statistical findings in applied contexts, using statistical software for data analysis, and communicating results clearly to diverse audiences. Ethical and practical considerations in data use for decision-making and program evaluation are addressed throughout the course. (3 credit hrs)