Houston Christian University Catalog

Educational Psychology (EPSY) Course Descriptions

  • EPSY 5310 Ethical and Professional Issues in Psychology and Counseling

    Prerequisite(s): None

    A seminar format will provide the student with opportunities to study ethical standards and applications in mental health fields. (Offered also as PSYC 5310.)

  • EPSY 5313 Methods and Techniques in Counseling

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course will introduce the student to those active listening skills which communicate the qualities of empathy, genuineness and unconditional positive regard. The course will include role-playing and videotaped exercises. Other selected interventions will be included.

  • EPSY 5323 Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Comprehensive and intensive study of major theoretical orientations in counseling and psychotherapy, stressing implications for research and practice. Includes experiences in micro-counseling and other simulations to develop counseling skills. (Offered also as PSYC 5323.)

  • EPSY 5330 Psychology of Learning

    Prerequisite(s): None

    A course stressing the contributions of major learning theories to understanding behavior. Particular attention is paid to human learning and the applicability of learning theory to the educational process as well as to goal attainments. (Offered also as PSYC 5330.)

  • EPSY 5363 Principles of Guidance

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Introduction to philosophical and historical foundations of guidance and counseling, stressing practical problems of organizing and implementing guidance programs in the secondary and elementary schools. Consideration is given to professional issues, present and future, as they impact the role and function of the counselor. Includes the design of a guidance and counseling program for an elementary, secondary, or postsecondary institution. (Offered also as PSYC 5363.)

  • EPSY 5381 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • EPSY 6181 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • EPSY 6191 Counseling Practicum

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Supervised laboratory experiences in individual and group counseling with emphasis upon methods and techniques. Competence in counseling with varied types of human concerns is developed. All practicum students must be involved in counseling activities and must exhibit skills in evaluation as well. This course meets on campus when the student is involved in an off-campus practicum assignment. (Offered also as PSYC 6191.)

  • EPSY 6192 Counseling Practicum

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Supervised laboratory experiences in individual and group counseling with emphasis upon methods and techniques. Competence in counseling with varied types of human concerns is developed. All practicum students must be involved in counseling activities and must exhibit skills in evaluation as well. This course meets on campus when the student is involved in an off-campus practicum assignment. (Offered also as PSYC 6192.)

  • EPSY 6281 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • EPSY 6301 Principles of Human Development

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Intensive study and examination of literature and theory in developmental psychology as it relates to persons through the lifespan from infancy through adulthood. Social and personality development, intellectual development, language acquisition, and developmental expectations are emphasized. The unique concerns of the exceptional child are studied as well as in-depth, case-study skill development. (Offered also as PSYC 6301.)

  • EPSY 6302 Measurement and Appraisal

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Principles and techniques of psychological measurement are emphasized. Major instruments are surveyed, exclusive of projective measures and individual intellectual measures. The knowledge and skills covered can apply in a variety of settings: agencies, clinics, schools, and businesses. Uses and critical evaluation of achievement, aptitude, interest, and non-projective personality tests are included, as are experiences in administering and scoring of tests, and ethical standards for uses of tests. (Offered also as PSYC 6302.)

  • EPSY 6305 Individual Psychological Evaluation

    Prerequisite(s): PSYC 5309
    Corequisite(s): None
    Fee(s): None

    The purpose of this course is to attain knowledge of cognitive functioning and develop skills in the cognitive assessment of children and adolescents. This course integrates the skills of administration, scoring, and interpretation of major cognitive assessment instruments (e.g., KABC-II, WISC-V, and WJ-IV COG) in the context of recent cognitive theories and research. The Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) Theory of Cognitive Abilities will be the primary underlying framework for interpreting test data. Also, an emphasis will be placed on a dual discrepancy model when utilizing the CHC theory of cognitive abilities. Issues of assessing culturally and linguistically diverse children and adolescents are integrated throughout the course in addition to specified lectures. (Offered also as EDSP 6305 and EPSY 6305)

  • EPSY 6306 Career Information and Career Counseling

    Prerequisite(s): EPSY 6302 or PSYC 6302

    Methods and processes of collecting, organizing, evaluating, and interpreting educational, occupational, and personal-social information. Theories of career development are included as well as the counselor’s role in career education. Career interest inventories and other measures are reviewed with reference to their utility in career counseling.

  • EPSY 6308 Methods of Group Guidance

    Prerequisite(s): EPSY 5323

    Group aspects of student personnel and clinical work for counselors, administrators, and other professionals dealing in services where group counseling is provided. Theory and research relevant to providing group counseling to various populations are emphasized. Didactic and experiential activities are offered. (Offered also as PSYC 6308.)

  • EPSY 6310 Clinical Psychopathology

    Prerequisite(s): 24 graduate semester hours in psychology

    A course that examines the etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic methods applicable to the major psychological disorders. Emphasis is placed on being able to differentiate one disorder from the other. (Offered also as PSYC 6310.)

  • EPSY 6344 Educational Appraisal of Individuals with Exceptionalities

    Prerequisites: (PSYC 6305 or EPSY 6305) and PSYC 6343 and EDSP 5319

    This course is an introduction to appraisal techniques and instruments used to identify the presence or absence of a specific disability. Administration, scoring, interpretation, preparation of written reports, the development of IEP’s, and evidence-based interventions in psychology and education designed to promote academic skills will be taught in this course. Students must be computer literate. (Offered also as EDSP 6344 and PSYC 6344)

  • EPSY 6381 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • EPSY 6391 Counseling Practicum

    Prerequisite(s): A cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 and the successful completion of 24 credit hours. The 24 credit hours are comprised of EDUC 6304, EPSY 5310, EPSY 5313, EPSY 5323, EPSY 5363, EPSY 6308, and six credit hours from any courses listed on the MEd, Counselor Education Degree Plan. All courses included in the prerequisite requirement of 24 credit hours must be passed with a grade no lower than a ‘C’.

    Supervised laboratory experiences in individual and group counseling with emphasis upon methods and techniques. Competence in counseling with varied types of human concerns is developed. All practicum students must be involved in counseling activities and must exhibit skills in evaluation as well. This course meets on campus when the student is involved in an off-campus practicum assignment.