Introduction to Mental Health (PSY509)

This course will enable students to distinguish between normality and abnormality and examine the different factors, concepts, and historical and theoretical perspectives on mental illness. Students will also study the major mental disorders and learn how to classify these disorders. Psychological and clinical assessment techniques and methods will be discussed. The course covers different approaches to psychotherapy, professional, ethical, contemporary, and legal issues. No Prerequisites

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Describe different mental health disorders
2. Apply appropriate criteria to classify different mental disorders.
3. Recognize main psychological and clinical assessment methods
4. Describe the main approaches to psychotherapy

Foundation of psychological Assessment (PSY510)

This course familiarizes learners with psychological assessment and relevant data analysis. The course will cover the conceptual and historical background of psychological testing and assessment; standardized and unstandardized testing, scales of measurement, item construction and test development, reliability, validity, and item analysis. Topics also include testing hypotheses, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, data description and distribution, presentation of data, correlation and inference, intelligence and its measurement, personality assessment methods, and neuropsychological assessment. No Prerequisite

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Describe the conceptual and theoretical basis of psychological testing and assessment.
2. Explain the basic psychometrics properties of psychological tests and measurement; namely reliability, validity and item analysis.
3. Construct psychological assessment tools taking into consideration the criteria for constructing such scales.
4. Interpret norm references and criterion-referenced test scores.
5. Apply appropriate quantitative tata description and analysis methods on the data for the research project

Advanced Clinical Psychology (PSY521)

This course takes a practical focus on clinical skills. Students will be trained to practise and develop interviewing skills, listening skills, and communication skills, as well as application of ideas around psychopathology

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Demonstrate knowledge of major assessment and intervention tools in clinical psychology.
2. Apply the most important clinical skills in the evaluation of mental health cases
3. Critically evaluate existing tools for contextualizing psychopathology in indigenous population and appreciate how one’s own background can affect assessment and treatment of clients from other cultures.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of what constitutes the ethical values of the profession and the professional competence of practitioners.
5. Demonstrate skills in communicating and case reporting in clinical psychology

Cross Cultural Issues (PSY522)

This course introduces the student to the field of culture and therapeutic process. The emphasis here is mainly on developing cultural competencies in dealing with people of different backgrounds and learning how to incorporate clinical strategies or guidleines in working with a variety of clients. There is also substantial theoretical knowledge discussed in the class. The course begins by enhancing student’s self-awareness as a cultural being, exploring a multitude of ways to conduct an intake interview, learning alternative ways of assessing culturally diverse clients, incorporating cultural issues into case readings and their implications for therapy, developing treatment plans embracing different cultural contexts, and evaluating best cultural practices in the areas of help seeking, assessment, treatment and student training and supervision.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic psychological principles of cultural issues that affect therapeutic process.
2. Demonstrate practical skills to solve therapeutic issues of clients from different cultural backgrounds.
3. Critically evaluate one’s own cultural heritage, beliefs, values, etc. and how they affect assessment and treatment of clients.
4. Write a comprehensive project report on the evaluation and treatment strategies for a client from a different cultural background.
5. Make verbal presentation of the project report and site visit in class.

Advanced Psychopathology (PSY523)

This course will focus on developmental and biosocial approaches to psychopathology. In addition to the ICD 10 and DSM-5, the students will be trained on comorbidity and phenomenological approaches to mental disorders. The course will also provide an overview of the research on each of the major categories of mental disorders organized around their prevalence, phenomenology and development over time.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Apply the scientific system in formulating diagnosis of abnormal cases.
2. Discuss several theoretical perspectives in the general field of psychopathology as well as the experiential support for these theories.
3. Recognize prevailing theories and research methods in the field of Abnormal Psychology.
4. Apply theories of abnormal psychology to diagnose and treat mental disorders.
5. Apply ethics codes to assessment and evaluation.
6. Appreciate the lived experience of individuals with mental disorders, and acknowledge the social, economic, and cultural stigma associated with such experience.
7. Describe the benefits and efficacy of various therapeutic interventions for the disorders covered in this course.
8. Explain research methods used in psychopathology.

Adult Assessment (PSY524)

This course presents the principles and practices of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), diagnostic interviews and self-report measures such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Students administer, score, interpret and write reports communicating results of selected instruments. Issues related to diagnosis and treatment planning is addressed. Cultural and ethical issues relevant to assessment are topics to be explored. (Prerequisite: Tests and Measurements).

Credit Hours : 4

Prerequisites

• PSY303 with a minimum grade D

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the major instruments in the adult evaluation of personality and intelligence domains.
2. Conduct diagnostic clinical interviews to asses personality and intelligence.
3. Demonstrate skills in the professional application of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) in administering, scoring, and interpreting.
4. Demonstrate skills in the professional application, scoring, and interpreting MMPI.
5. Integrate results of evaluation on intelligence and personality taking into consideration clinical judgement and the cultural context of the patient.

Child & Family Therapy (PSY526)

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of psychological interventions and their theoretical underpinnings in guiding child and family therapy practices. The course focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills required to understand and treat psychological issues that impact children and families. Building on this knowledge, students are trained to acquired and master skills needed to enhance family wellbeing and effectively address issues that impact children and families. Apart from focusing on challenges, crises and dysfunction that commonly impact children and families, the course will also highlight the importance of therapist as an advocate of positive changes and wellness-based counseling/psychotherapy that can promote optimal psychological wellbeing. As students progress in learning the most established and current theoretical and practical approaches in child and family therapy, they will have the opportunity to explore the current research findings that advances the knowledge and practices in the field.

Credit Hours : 3

Prerequisites

• PSY521 with a minimum grade D
• PSY523 with a minimum grade D

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the contemporary theories in family counseling/psychotherapy and their key concepts
2. Identify issues that affect the cognitive and social development as well as functioning of children
3. Critically compare the major theoretical models in family therapy and thereby develop a personal theoretical orientation towards family/couple therapy.
4. Acquire knowledge and skills of family therapy that can facilitate the desired changes.
5. Apply techniques that are appropriate to assessment and treatment of the child and family clinical cases.

Child Assessment (PSY527)

This course covers knowledge and skills relevant to child assessment. It explores the theoretical frameworks utilized in the development of cognitive assessment instruments and procedures, and explains the administration, scoring, and interpretation of the Wechsler Pre-school and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI), the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), structured child interviews, the Mental Status Exam (MSE), objective self-report and parent report for issues such as executive function, depression, attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder and conduct problems.

Credit Hours : 4

Prerequisites

• PSY303 with a minimum grade D

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Develop clinical skills that include interviewing, recording behavioural observations, developing and maintaining rapport
2. Be knowledgeable in standardized methods for collecting and scoring data
3. Interpret tests in light of relevant theory and scholarship
4. Report findings using written formats

Psychotherapy: Theories & Techniques (PSY528)

This course focuses on the main approaches to psychotherapy such as the psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral and humanistic therapies and techniques. More emphasis will be given to the use of videotapes of seasoned clinicians utilizing psychotherapeutic techniques. Class meeting will also focus on practicing basic skills such as therapeutic rapport, therapeutic interviewing skills, and nondirective dialogue with patients. Models for interviewing children and families would will also be learned. Students will also undertake an experiential project outside of class that will help them personally explore the psychotherapeutic process.

Credit Hours : 3

Prerequisites

• PSY521 with a minimum grade D
• PSY523 with a minimum grade D

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Communicate Thoughts And Ideas On The Importance Of Patient Treatment Plans And How Interventions Are Developed In Clinical Settings Including Various Treatment Issues
2. Evaluate Mainstream Psychotherapeutic Techniques.
3. Interview And Present (Provisional) Multi-Axial Diagnosis And Brief Report
4. Observe And Write A Report On Psychotherapeutic Intervention In A Clinical Setting
5. Present Comprehensive Case Descriptions With Recommendations
6. Write Brief Report On One Selected Psychotherapy Video

Advanced Behavioral Statistics (PSY529)

This course provides instruction in advanced methods in multivariate statistics at both conceptual and applied levels .This course will require students to designate the output designs utilized in published research. Topics: multiple regression, factor analysis, discriminate analysis, Manova, Mancova. The computers are used for data management and analysis.

Credit Hours : 3

Prerequisites

• STAT180

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Design A Complete Quantitative Psychological Research Study To Statistically Answer Specific Research Questions Using Real Data And One Or More Of The Advanced Statistical Procedures Following Apa Formatting
2. Evaluate Statistical Tests To Select The Best One To Fit Specific Psychological Research Questions Or Problems
3. Explain Related Statistical Concepts, Ideas, Tests And Procedures In Both Descriptive And Inferential Statistics
4. Practice Analyzing Quantitative Psychological Data Using Advanced Methods And Procedures In Spss

Research Design and Methods (PSY621)

This course offers a review of research methods in clinical psychology; critical thinking uses as a main approach for the systematic process to answer questions or to test hypothesis. Write an integrative review of the selected topic in clinical psychology literature .Evaluate methods, designs, and results of published clinical research. To understand how issues of ethnicity, culture, and diversity are important when designing clinical researches. Topics to be covered include experimental and quasi-experimental designs, observational methods, single case, research ethics, diversity issues in clinical research, Both qualitative and quantitative research strategies are covered.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Analyze And Interpret Quantitative Data.
2. Describe And Discuss The Concepts In Various Psychological Research Methods.
3. Differentiate Between The Different Research Methods In The Field Of Psychology.
4. Introducing The Basic Concepts That Related To The Area Research Design Methods In Psychology.
5. Writing A Research Report.

Seminar in Mental Health (PSY622)

This course is meant to enable professors to select the mental health problems and issues to be addressed. Topics include, but not limited to, mental health problems that are not covered in this MSc curriculum, contemporary mental health problems and issues, current controversies in mental health, mental health services in the UAE, major culture-bound syndromes in the UAE, and other health related problems and issues.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Critically Appraise The Available Data And Empirical Findings Relevant To A Range Of Contemporary Psychological Issues, For Example, Gender Issues, Mental Health And Law, Mind- Fullness And Health, Neuro-Cognitive Influences On Health, Etc.
2. Identify Issues Pertinent To Contemporary Psychology That Require Additional Study
3. Master Assessment, Diagnosis, And Treatment Issues Relevant To The Range Of Topics Introduced
4. Produce A Comprehensive Critical Analysis Of An Identified Issue

Neuropsychology (PSY623)

The emphasis is on the neuroanatomy and brain-behavior relationship. The focus is on neuropsychological disorders such as disorders of perception, language, movement, and neuro-degenerative diseases. Neuropsychological assessments for different disorders will also be discussed.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Describe The Underlying Principles, Theoretical Perspectives, Empirical Findings, And Historical Trends In Neuropsychology.
2. Explain Brain Plasticity, Rehabilitation And Recovery After Brain Injury.
3. Formulate Related Research Findings And Personal Analyses Into Well-Constructed Delivered Presentation
4. Identify Different Methods Of Neuropsychological Assessment
5. Illustrate In Depth The Basic Neuroanatomy Of Cns
6. Recognize Different Types Of Neuropsychological Disorders And Their Clinical Presentations

Personality Perfomance-based Measures (PSY624)

A study of the administration, scoring, and interpretation of personality and projective assessment instruments, and the rationale underlying the construction of each.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Administer An Assessment And Produce A Comprehensive Psychological Report Interpreting Its Findings
2. Communicate Ideas On The Principle Of Psychological Assessment Through The Administration, Scoring, And Interpretation Of A Range Of Assessment Measures
3. Describe The Range Of Personality And Projective Assessments Available
4. Explain The Purpose, Rationale, And Uses For A Range Of Assessments

Psychopharmacology (PSY626)

This course focuses on the effect of drugs on behavior and the nervous system, with emphasis on the interaction between biological, psychological and sociological factors on drug use. Some of the topics examined are: basic principles of pharmacology, physiological effects of drugs and difference between psychoactive drugs. The course also discusses the use of folk and herbal medicine and the interaction between them and psycho-active drugs.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Analyze, Interpret And Evaluate Pharmacologically Based Clinical Findings In Psychological Settings Through Literature Review, Class Presentations And Written Analysis
2. Classify Varieties Of Neurotransmitters And Their Function
3. Discriminate Between Different Psychoactive Drugs, Their Effects, And Route Of Action
4. Explain The Effect Of Psychological Factors On Pharmacotherapy
5. Identify Key Concepts Of Terminology In All Content Areas
6. Recognize Professional And Ethical Issues Specific To Involvement In Psychopharmacology,Recognize Professional And Ethical Issues Specific To Involvement In Psychopharmacology.

Advanced Psychotherapy (PSY627)

This course focuses on specific evidence-based psychotherapies, namely Cognitive Behavior Therapy focusing on specific disorders (CBT) and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Eight weeks will be assigned to train students on each of the above-mentioned therapies. Students meet once a week.

Credit Hours : 2

Prerequisites

• PSY528 with a minimum grade D

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Understand CBT/ MBCT theory and main concepts
2. Distinguish between different CBT/ MBCT techniques & practices
3. Identify main elements of CBT case formulation
4. Analyze conditions, applications, efficacy and challenges of CBT/MBCT
5. Present a CBT treatment protocol for a given case study.
6. Show competence in leading short guided MBCT meditation practice

Master's Thesis (PSY628)

During the completion of the master thesis, the student will gain experience across all the stages of an empirical research study in a selected area of clinical psychology. The study will allow the student the opportunity to apply the varied knowledge and skills acquired across the course of the degree. The student will select a topic of interest and identify a faculty member to provide supervision throughout the process. Generally, the Master’s thesis is empirical, requiring the collection of data; however, in some circumstances, a thesis that employs a literature review-based methodology may be allowed. The thesis is examined via an oral defense.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical bases of empirical research and operationalization of psychological variables.
2. Apply statistical methods to analyze clinical research data.
3. Apply ethical standards for scientific research in psychology.
4. Communicates research findings and conclusions in sound scientific procedures.
5. Conduct substantive argumentation utilizing personal views based on critical analysis of previous literature to create synthetic summaries.

Internship I (PSY631)

A minimum of 300-clockhours of supervised experiences in a setting in which psychological services are provided. The essential purpose of the first practicum is to ensure that interns have appropriate opportunities to apply, under supervision, the knowledge and skills acquired in the program. During this practicum interns will gain experience in providing clinical psychology services for clients and will develop skills in the range of professional and administrative activities involved in professional clinical practice.

Credit Hours : 2

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Acquire A Real Life Understanding Of Cultural And Individual Diversity For Entry Level Practice As Professional Psychologists
2. Acquire Requisite Clinical Skills And Competencies For Entry Level Practice As Professional Psychologists
3. Develop Requisite Skills In Psychometric Assessment
4. Develop The Knowledge, Awareness, And Attitude Needed To Demonstrate Professional Behavior In Order To Enter The Practice Of Professional Psychology

Health Psychology (PSY632)

An introduction to health psychology that provides a general overview of the discipline of health psychology, including its origins, concepts and methods. A number of types of intervention efforts will be explored, including risk factor modification, secondary preventive/rehabilitative efforts for chronic illness and community/ public health interventions. Some of the major areas and topics in health psychology are explored. Students will acquire skills and knowledge that should enhance their critical thinking and their understanding of the relationship of cognition, emotion, motivation, and behavior on health.

Credit Hours : 2

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Apply Psychological Principles To Promote And Maintain Health.
2. Create Suitable Plans To Maintain And Promote Health.
3. Develop Basic Skill Of Illness Prevention And Management.
4. Evaluate Current Theories On The Etiological And Epidemiological Basis For Individual Differences In Health And Disease.
5. Explain The Role Of Beliefs And Behaviors In Health And Illness.
6. Explain The Role Of Biological, Psychological, And Psychosocial Factors In Etiology And Correlates Of Health And Illness.

Scientific and Professional Ethics (PSY633)

The course covers the ethical guidelines and standards related to the research and practice of psychology. Ethical, professional and legal conflicts are discussed. The goal of the course is to ensure familiarity with various laws, standards and guidelines that regulate the practice of psychology and to develop ethical problem solving skills. Special emphasis is given on developing laws and ethical practices to the needs of the local society.

Credit Hours : 2

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Critically Analyze The Apa Ethical Standards And Its Relevance To Uae Settings.
2. Evaluate The Latest Research On Professional Ethics In Psychology And Describe Prominent International Standards Of Ethics Relevant For Clinical Psychology
3. Evaluate The Underlying Principles Of Ethical Standards In Psychological Practices
4. Identify Ethical Issues And Dilemmas Pertinent To The Practice Of Clinical Psychology In Uae.
5. Make Appropriate Ethical Decisions Regarding Various Ethical Issues In Psychological Practices
6. Prepare Papers Relevant To Ethical Standards Of Professional Practice In Uae

Internship II (PSY634)

A minimum of 300-clockhours of supervised experiences in a setting in which psychological services are provided.

Credit Hours : 2

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to :

1. Conduct Clinical Interview-Based Assessment In Administering And Interpreting Basic Intellectual Cognitive, And Personality Assessments,
2. Conduct Individual And Group Psychotherapy Across A Variety Of Problems And Populations And Building A Knowledge Of Empirically Supported Therapeutic Approaches For Specific Mental Disorders.
3. Develop Competence As A Professional Clinical Psychologist
4. Explain The Sensitivity Of Human Diversity Issues In The Practice Of Psychology; Familiarity With Findings Related To Diversity Issues In Assessment And Treatment,
5. Outline The Basic Strategies Of Scholarly Inquiry; Awareness Of Current Literature On Evidence-Based Practices; Competency In Reviewing And Integrating Relevant Scholarly Literature To Assist In Clinical Problem Solving,
6. Show Sound Professional Clinical Judgment And Behaviour In Assessment And Treatment Procedures; Understanding Of Professional And Legal Standards In Professional Psychology, Including Uae Health Authority Ethical Standards. ,