Human Development and Family Studies Courses
This course will advance students' knowledge of the theories and research in human development across the lifespan. Major areas of study include: developmental theory and physical, cognitive, social and emotional development.
Covers principles of growth and development, chief areas of concern in the field, and supporting research.
Theories of and research on development throughout adulthood; young adulthood, middle years and aging are presented.
Theories and research on parent/child relationships and an examination of how the parent/child relationship influences aspects of child development. Basic models of parent education and parent involvement are also examined.
The developmental and psychological theories involved in the practice of child life in health care settings.
Provides students with a general overview of the grief processes as they impact children and families. Examines issues surrounding children's grief/bereavement and studies issues surrounding complicated mourning.
Historical overview of and contemporary theoretical approaches for understanding family behavior. Theoretical perspectives (such as systems, exchange, developmental, behavioral, and symbolic interaction) are applied to family research and practice.
Study of interaction within the family, with emphasis on historical changes, major issues, marriage success and family strengths, and family processes such as communication and conflict patterns. A focus on ethnic and racial family forms is also included.
Provides students with preliminary supervised experience in a professional setting.
Provides students with supervised practice in marriage and family therapy.
Discussion and analysis of underlying issues in human sexuality research.
Theory and research regarding effects of parental divorce on children's cognitive and social-personality development.
Provides an opportunity to pursue special needs and interests. Students work primarily on their own, but under supervision.
Participation in a cooperative faculty/student research project related to human development.
This independent research course partially fulfills required research hours toward a Plan I master’s degree in HDFS. The course is conducted under the guidance of the thesis advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing master's students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing an original research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a pre-existing topic in the field.
Advances student's knowledge of the theories and research in child development. Major areas of study include: developmental theory and physical, cognitive and social development.
Examination of theoretical bases for behavior in infancy, and review of research literature on attachment behavior and various topics of major concern.
Covers biological, cognitive, social-emotional, and moral development of adolescents in school, home, and community settings.
With an interdisciplinary approach to issues and concerns in life-span development, the course examines theory and research on selected topics.
In-depth understanding of contemporary research and practice topics in human development and family studies.
In-depth understanding of contemporary research and practice topics in child life.
In-depth understanding of contemporary research and practice topics in marriage and family therapy.
This course is designed to introduce students to the diverse and complex dynamic of clinical work with couples. The course will provide an overview of two evidenced-based approaches to couples therapy (Gottman Method Couples Therapy & Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy), and special issues related to couples therapy, sex therapy and infidelity. Throughout the course, students will develop intervention skills related to these approaches, and skills related to working with couples of diverse backgrounds.
This course is designed to examine in-depth the America Association for Marriage and Family Therapy's Code of Ethics as the primary guide to the ethical practice of Marriage and Family Therapists. Students will explore the legal, ethical, and professional issues affecting therapists in various practice settings. A major emphasis will be on students’ development of their own process for ethical decision-making.
This course will include a systemic and culturally sensitive overview of the major mental health disorders and other conditions that may be the focus of mental health treatment. Psychopharmacology will be introduced with discussion of common psychotropic medications used to treat mental health disorders. While the focus of this course is on diagnosis and assessment, treatment issues will be briefly touched on in reference to the disorders discussed.
This course explores areas of cultural diversity relevant to the practice of marriage and family therapy. Learning to respond in a culturally sensitive manner and recognizing contextual and systemic dynamics as related to establishing productive therapeutic alliance and delivering successful intervention are included.
Graduate seminar covering evidence-based approaches to treating substance use disorders.
Child life specialists are members of the healthcare team who provide psychosocial support to pediatric patients and their families with the goal of promoting resiliency and decreasing stress during healthcare encounters. Child Life Practicum is a clinical experiential learning opportunity in which child life students are provided the opportunity to become familiar with the roles of child life specialists and to develop introductory skills for supporting pediatric patients and their families in the clinical setting. Course combines observational learning and supervised interactions with pediatric patients to further child life students’ skills and knowledge in offering therapeutic play interventions, completing development and psychosocial assessments, and building rapport with patients and families.
Examination and application of Family Therapy methodological and theoretical counseling principles. Emphasis is on helping families overcome stresses and develop strategies in response to normative and non-normative life events.
Theoretical underpinnings of of emotionally focused therapy (EFT), narrative therapy, and experiential family therapy are presented. Students will become competent in the conceptualization and application of these models to individuals, couples, and families.
Supervised field experience in an appropriate job setting in marriage and family therapy.
Internship for students in the Child Life concentration. Permission of the instructor.
Experience with human development in classroom teaching or agency settings.
This independent research course partially fulfills required doctoral-level research dissertation hours toward the doctoral degree. The course is conducted under the guidance of the dissertation advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing doctoral students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing an original research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a pre-existing topic in the field.