Ph.D. Family Psychology

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
The Ph.D. program in Marriage and Family is designed to prepare professionals who already possess a relevant master's degree to become leaders in understanding, researching, and treating couples, families, and systems. Students engage in advanced study of family psychology and family therapy. In learning about these sometimes distinctive domains and their vital interrelationships in the lived experiences of individuals, couples, and families in their multiple contexts, students obtain a broad and comprehensive grasp of the knowledge base and technical expertise required to address the complex issues of individuals and families in contemporary society. Students obtain the academic training to be license-eligible as psychologists and as marriage and family therapists. The curriculum is based on a systems/relational understanding of human functioning. The curriculum provides the foundations in psychology, assessment, research, and treatment to become a psychologist. Concurrently the curriculum offers the bases in systemic theory, techniques, therapy, research, and supervision to serve as a leader in the practice of couple and family therapy. Students who do not already possess a master's degree in marriage and family therapy earn this enroute. Throughout the curriculum the focus remains on a systems approach to families as they interrelate with other systems including communities, cultures, schools, health care, and legal procedures. the comprehensive examinations foster reflective interconnecting of biopsychosocial with systemic processes. Graduates are expected to assume roles as licensed mental-health professionals, supervisors, researchers, and systemic thinkers.

Students who pursue this multidimensional and integrated curriculum engage in academic classes, research, and clinical work under supervision throughout the course of studies. The curriculum emphasizes biopsychosocial foundations, human development over the life span, gender and cultural processes, systemic theories, assessment skills, statistical and research competencies, ethical and effective treatment and therapy. Research occurs in teams and under guidance of a mentor. Research training includes a two-year sequence in statistics and a course in family systems research methods. Research ends with the completion of an empirical dissertation. Clinical work takes place in collaboration with an approved supervisor. During their doctoral clinical work students complete 1000 hours of direct client contact (500 are required for the en-route master's). At least fifty percent of these hours must be with families or couples. Students are to be supervised by an approved supervisor at a ratio of one hour of supervision for every five hours of client contact. At least fifty percent of the supervision must include live or taped data. Students are to receive both individual and group supervision. Students are expected to gain facility in individual and relational diagnoses: cognitive, personality, relational, and systemic assessment; treatment planning and interventions for individuals, couples, families, and larger systems. The full range of assessment training includes cognitive, personality, projective, and family assessment, with an option for neuropsychology. A clinical comprehensive examination is required. Clinical work culminates in a year-long internship.

APPLICATION AND ADMISSION:
Admission requirements are as follows:

Master's degree in an appropriate field, when appropriate;
Superior academic record (two official transcripts of all graduate and undergraduate course work required);
Submission of a recent score (within three years) on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), general specialty area of psychology is desirable;
Resume of professional background;
Statement of personal professional goals, addressing accomplishments, goals, clinical training and work, research involvement and interests, and academic experiences, with indication of specialization to be pursued;
Three letters of recommendation for doctoral study; and
A personal interview.

Requests for applications may be directed to the Office of Graduate Studies, College of Education and Human Services, (973)275-2087. Any information or questions about the program can be directed to Robert Massey, Ph.D. at 973-761-9591 or via email at: masseyro@shu.edu

Degree Requirements (100 credits)

I. Foundations of Professional Practice in Psychology (44 credits)

A. Research and Statistics (17 credits)

CPSY 8004: Supervised Research in Marriage and Family I (1 credit)

CPSY 8005: Supervised Research in Marriage and Family II (1 credit)

CPSY 8101 Family Systems Research Methods

CPSY 7005: Statistical Theory and Computer Applications I

CPSY 7006: Statistical Theory and Computer Applications II

CPSY 9001: Univariate Experimental Design

CPSY 9002: Applied Multivariate Statistics

B. Psychological Core (18 credits)

1. Biological Bases of Human Behavior (3 credits)

CPSY 6105 Biological Bases of Behavior

CPSY 8521: Foundations of Neuropsychology (prerequisite 6105)

2. Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior (3 credits)

CPSY 7104: Social Cognition and Human Learning

3. Socio-Cultural Bases of Behavior (3 credits)

CPSY 7515: Social Psychology

4. Psychological Bases of Behavior (6 credits)

CPSY 6101 Personality Theory

CPSY 6103 Abnormal Psychology

CPSY 8517 Seminar in Psychopathology and Systemic Diagnoses

CPSY8519: Seminar in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology

CPSY 8520: Seminar in Psychopathology (adult emphasis)

(Students who need a course in psychopathology take 8517; however, students can transfer in 6103, 8519 or 8520).

5. Ethics (3 credits)

CPSY 8010 Seminar: Ethical and Legal Issues in Professional Psychology and Therapy

(Students transferring credits for this course are expected to read on and be knowledgeable about ethical principles and applications from a relational/systemic perspective.)

CPSY 8011 Seminar in Ethical and Legal Issues: A Systemic Approach

(This is the course to be taken by students needing an ethics course.)

C. Systemic Core (9 credits)

1. Theory (3 credits)

CPSY 6601 Couple and Family Dynamics: Systemic Perspectives

CPSY 7620 Seminar in Systemic Therapies

2. Practice (6 credits)

CPSY 7621 Couple and Family System Techniques I

CPSY 7622 Couple and Family System Techniques II

II. Specialization Courses for a Major in Family Psychology (56 credits)

A. Core (24 credits)

Theory (15 credits)

CPSY 8620 Seminar: History, Philosophy, and Models of Family Systems

CPSY 8615 Seminar: Gender and Culture in Family Systems

CPSY 8102 Seminar: Childhood and Adolescent Development in Context

CPSY 8103 Seminar: Adult Development and Aging in Context

CPSY 8518 Seminar: Systemic Perspectives on Human Pathology

Clinical (9 credits)

CPSY 7611 Human Sexuality II*

CPSY 9985 Introduction to Child and Adolescent Therapy

CPSY 9080 Practicum in Supervision

* Students who have taken CPSY 7610 can complete this requirement by engaging in the study of treatment approaches to sexual dysfunctions and by submitting a paper on a pertinent topic. Students who have not taken CPSY 7610 can prepare for CPSY 7611 by doing background foundational reading for this area of study.

B. Assessment (16 credits) (all classes are 4 credits)

CPSY 7508 Family Assessment Techniques (laboratory = CPSY 8508)

CPSY 7502: Individual Cognitive Assessment (laboratory = CPSY 8502)

CPSY 7503 Introduction to Personality Assessment (laboratory = CPSY 8503)

CPSY 7507 Personality Assessment of Children and Adolescents (laboratory = 8507)

CPSY 7504 Introduction to Rorschach Techniques (laboratory = CPSY 8504)

CPSY 8523: Advanced Adult Neuropsychological Assessment (laboratory = 9523)

CPSY 8525: Neuropsychological Assessment of Children and Adolescents (laboratory = 9525)]

(CPSY 8521 is a prerequisite for CPSY 8523 and CPSY 8525)

C. Clinical Training (10 credits)

CPSY 9871 Practicum in Systemic Approaches I (3 credits)

CPSY 9872 Practicum in Systemic Approaches II (3 credits)

CPSY 9873 Practicum in Systemic Approaches III (1 credit)

CPSY 9874 Practicum in Systemic Approaches IV (1 credit)

CPSY 9875 Practicum in Systemic Approaches V(1 credit)

CPSY 9876 Practicum in Systemic Approaches VI (1 credit)

CPSY 9884 Doctoral Internship (no credit)

CPSY 9885 Doctoral Internship (no credit)

(CPSY 9884 and 9885 take place under supervision and at a site which meets Psychology standards)

D. Dissertation Advisement (minimum of 6 credits)

Students engage in research throughout the course of studies. Dissertation Advisement is to be taken for a minimum of six credits. Students must be enrolled for Dissertation Advisement before beginning Internship if all other courses have been completed and after finishing Internship until the dissertation is finished. Students who anticipate having a federal loan during Internship are advised that they will need to enroll for Dissertation Advisement while registered for Internship; otherwise the Dissertation Advisement can be taken earlier under the direction of the mentor.

Electives:

CPSY 8524 Clinical Psychopharmacology

CPSY 9095 Supervised Teaching

Other specialized courses pertinent to the field

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

FACULTY:
Robert F. Massey, Ph.D.
Professor, Program Director, Ph.D., Ed.S., M.A./Ed.S. Programs
Phone: 973-761-9591, E-mail: masseyro@shu.edu

Ben K. Beitin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Clinical Coordinator, MA, Ed.S. Students
Phone: 973 275-2856 , E-mail: beitinbe@shu.edu

Wesley T. Matsui, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Clinical Coordinator, Ph.D. in Marriage and Family
Phone: 973-761-9591, E-mail: matsuiwe@shu.edu

GRADUATE ASSISTANTS :
Claudia Paredes
G.A. for Program Support
Phone: 973-275-2087, E-mail: paredecl@shu.edu

CONTACT US:
For additional information, please contact us at:

College of Education and Human Services
Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy
Jubilee Hall

South Orange, New Jersey 07079-2685
(973)761-9451
Program Director: Robert F. Massey, Ph.D.