About Lipscomb
PSG 5003 Survey of Psychology (3)
A leveling course designed for individuals without an undergraduate major or minor in psychology. The course will introduce students to psychological research methods, statistical analysis, APA-style writing, biological psychology, principles of learning and memory, personality theories, and abnormal psychology.
PSG 5103 Counseling Theories and Techniques (3)
Provides an overview of the practice of counseling, with emphasis on understanding the profession of counseling, interviewing & assessment, introduction to techniques of psychotherapy and various treatment strategies.
PSG 5203 Introduction to Psychopathology and Adaptive Behavior (3)
Presents categories of psychopathology with an emphasis on causes, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Roles of various mental health professionals involved in diagnosis and treatment of psychopathologies will be addressed. Healthy and adaptive behaviors will also be discussed.
PSG 5303 Developmental Psychology (3)
This course provides a survey of human development from conception through death. Special emphasis will be given to biological, social/emotional and cognitive change as well as applications to counseling and other applied settings.
PSG 5503 Theories of Human Behavior, Learning, and Personality (3)
A survey of the significant theories of personality with emphasis on both historical and current personality theories and models. Applications for counseling and other settings will be discussed.
PSG 5603 Research Methods and Statistics (3)
Course designed to introduce students to research methods and statistical analyses used in psychological research. Students will be taught to critically evaluate psychological research and understand its application to counseling.
PSG 5703 Ethics and Professional Issues in Counseling (3)
Presents the current American Counseling Association code of ethics and related codes as appropriate. Steps in ethical decision making will be discussed and case studies will be presented. Students will gain an understanding of the need for ethical standards and will learn how to follow ethical guidelines. Prerequisites: PSG 5103
PSG 5803 Integration of Psychology and Christianity Seminar (3)
An in-depth consideration of psychological theories and ethics within the context of the Christian faith with a focus on areas of agreement and disagreement among theories of counseling and Christian principles. Ethical and legal issues from both Psychology and Christianity will be discussed.
PSG 6003 Grief and Crises Counseling (3)
The purpose of this course is to investigate the process of dying and grieving in order to learn how the normal grieving process occurs, and how counselors can address with sensitivity the needs of the dying and those who are survivors of loss. Crises management strategies, including those in emergency situations will also be addressed. Prerequisites: PSG 5103, PSG 5203
PSG 6053 Multicultural Issues in Counseling (3)
A course designed to help counselors maximize their effectiveness in working with clients from different cultures and sub-cultures. Includes counseling skills that are effective with clients with various disabilities, races, religions, sexual orientations, and economic backgrounds. Prerequisites: PSG 5103
PSG 6103 Group Dynamics and Group Counseling (3)
An introduction to group counseling techniques, the advantages and limitations of group counseling and group work, opportunities and challenges unique to this format, and effective strategies for maximizing group effectiveness. Prerequisites: PSG 5103
PSG 6153 Marriage and Family Counseling (3)
Introduction to major approaches to marriage and family counseling, including issues and challenges unique to marriage/family counseling and strategies for dealing with these challenges. Prerequisites: PSG 5103
PSG 6203 Child and Adolescent Counseling (3)
Provides an overview of psychological problems and issues unique to child and adolescent clients and introduces counseling theories and techniques that are used with this population. Problems in diagnosis, treatment, rights of minors and abuse issues will be addressed. Prerequisites: PSG 5103, PSG 5203
PSG 6253 Career Counseling (3)
Introduces students to methods used in counseling clients about career-related decisions. Provides an overview of test instruments used to evaluate skills and aptitudes, methods to give guidance for training and job placement, and job interview strategies. Prerequisites: PSG 5103
PSG 6303 Substance Abuse Counseling (3)
A course for preparing students to work with substance abuse clients and to be able to refer clients to appropriate treatment. Supervised exposure to a controlled inpatient substance abuse environment is required. Prerequisites: PSG 5103, PSG 5203
PSG 6353 Addictive Disorders (3)
Overviews how to identify, diagnose, and treat common types of addictions such as chemical dependence, compulsive gambling, or sex addiction. The physical, emotional, and legal consequences of addiction will also be addressed. Prerequisites: PSG 5103, PSG 5203
PSG 6403 Psychopharmacology (3)
An overview of the psychotropic drugs with emphasis on drugs that have therapeutic uses relative to clinical disorders. Basic physiological and neurological processes will be discussed along with the necessity for monitoring clients for adverse drug reactions. Prerequisite: PSG 5203
PSG 6453 Gerontology (3)
An overview of current thinking and evidence regarding the development of older persons. Problems of illnesses will be explored along with types of possible placements for disabled elderly clients. Ways to assist caretakers in decision making about treatment, placement or referral to agencies for other assistance will be presented. Prerequisite: PSG 5203
PSG 6503 Human Sexuality (3)
Overview of the physiological and psychological components of sexual behavior. Both healthy and problematic areas of sexual functioning will be studied, with special attention to diagnostic skills for identifying sexual disorders and dysfunctions and designing appropriate treatment regimens. Moral, legal, and ethical issues will be addressed. Prerequisites: PSG 5103, PSG 5203
PSG 6553 Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (3)
An overview of psychological approaches to religion and the role that it plays in the lives of individuals. This course uses psychological theory and research to understand the development of religious beliefs, the role of religion in coping with life experiences and the relationship between religion and other phenomena. Applications to counseling and ministry will be addressed. Prerequisites: PSG 5303
PSG 6603 Advanced Psychopathology (3)
Intense coverage of disorders included in the current diagnostic and statistical manual. Focus will be on developing diagnostic skills and an understanding of psychopathology. This course is only open to students in the Professional Counseling program. Prerequisites: PSG 5203
PSG 6653 Psychological Assessment (3)
An overview of interviewing methods, appropriate assessment instruments, and their interpretation. Students will serve as both examiner and subject in administration of psychological tests. This course is only open to students in the Professional Counseling program. Prerequisites: PSG 5203, PSG 5603
PSG 6703 Effective Counseling and Treatment Planning (3)
Course will provide advanced study of the process of counseling, with emphasis on treatment planning strategies, rapport building and developing counseling skills. This course is only open to students in the Professional Counseling program. Prerequisites: PSG 5103, PSG 5203
PSG 675V Psychological Topics (1 to 3)
A course option available upon request of students and/or faculty to cover topics not covered in the regular graduate program. The course may be offered as an extension of existing courses or may cover advanced or seldom-covered areas. Prerequisite: PSG 5203
PSG 6803 Practicum I (3)
Introductory experience in supervised counseling with clients in selected clinical settings. Students will be supervised by the course instructor and a field supervisor and receive feedback from supervisors in order to develop counseling skills. Practicum must be arranged with the Clinical Director in the semester prior to beginning the practicum. Liability insurance is required. Prerequisites: PSG 5103, PSG 5203, PSG 5703, Permission of instructor, Admission to Professional Counseling program; Some internship sites may require additional prerequisites
PSG 6853 Practicum II (3)
Intermediate experience in supervised counseling with clients in selected clinical settings. Students will be supervised by the course instructor and a field supervisor and receive feedback from supervisors in order to develop counseling skills. Practicum must be arranged with the Clinical Director in the semester prior to beginning the practicum. Liability insurance is required. Prerequisites: PSG 6803; permission of instructor; Some practicum sites may require additional prerequisites.
PSG 6903 Internship (3)
Advanced experience in supervised counseling with clients in selected clinical settings. This course should be taken during the last semester of the students’ program. Students will be supervised by the course instructor and a field supervisor and receive feedback from supervisors in order to develop counseling skills. Internship must be arranged with the Clinical Director in the semester prior to beginning the practicum. Liability insurance is required. Prerequisites: PSG 6853; permission of instructor
PSG 6951 Capstone Seminar in Counseling Psychology (1)
Provides a review of the counseling program and is a venue for students to ask questions and round out their training. Course is to be taken in the last semester of the program and is only open to students in the Professional Counseling program. Prerequisites: Completion of 52 hours in coursework
PSG 6933 Thesis I
The student will work in collaboration with a faculty member to select a research problem, review the relevant literature, design the methodology and develop the thesis proposal.
PSG 6943 Thesis II
The student will work in collaboration with a faculty member to collect and analyze the relevant data and present the completed thesis research in oral and written forms.