Psychology of Exceptional Children. (3) A psychological approach to children with exceptional learning and behavior characteristics. Examine assessment techniques, diagnostic categories, method of remediation and enhancement, and relevant federal and state legislation.

Principles of Behavior Modification. (3) An application of learning principles to modification of human behavior emphasizing operant and respondent principles. Topical areas include autistic behavior, academic learning, rehabilitation, token economies

Research Methods in Applied Settings. (4) Overview of the interconnectedness of research design, statistics, and measurement in the context of applied settings is provided. Special emphasis is placed on using and conducting research in clinic and school settings. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Clinical/Community Mental Health or School Psychology programs, or permission of the instructor.

Advanced Child Psychology. (3) A systematic presentation of research and theories concerning the development of children. The student will design a research project related to the study of children. Prerequisite: An undergraduate course in development in development or child psychology, or permission of the instructor.

Practicum I: Orientation to School Psychology. (3) Introduces students to the roles and functions of school psychologists. Students observe and participate in activities related to school psychology through placements in schools and other settings. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

Minimum Contact Hours: 60 hours

Practicum II: Academic Assessment and Intervention. (3) Overview of scope and sequence of pre-K – 12 reading, math, and writing is provided. Students learn to administer, score and interpret standardized and curriculum-based measures of academic achievement. Academic interventions are designed implemented and evaluated. Prerequisite: PSY 581.

Minimum Contact Hours: 60 hours

Practicum III: Counseling and Assessment. (3) Introduces students to the role of the school psychologist in the regular and special education assessment process and individual counseling.  Prerequisites: PSY 541 and 542.

Minimum Contact Hours: 100 hours

Practicum IV. (3) Continued supervised and expanded experiences involving consultation, evaluations, and interventions for academic and psychological problems of children in school and other settings. Introduces student to small group counseling experiences. Prerequisites: PSY 541, 542, and 543.

Minimum Contact Hours: 100 hours

Systems of Psychotherapy. (3) This course is intended to review various systems of psychotherapy and to introduce the student to professional considerations in the practice of psychotherapy.

Group Processes and Group Psychotherapy. (3) An examination of theories of group and family psychotherapy emphasizing how basic group processes such as cohesiveness, norm formation, communication skills, and leadership are used in therapeutic groups.

Individual Psychological Evaluation: Intellectual Assessment. (3) Examines the administration, uses and interpretations of measures of ability and achievement, emphasizing cultural sensitivity in the application of these instruments. Includes supervised practice in the use of the Stanford Binet and Wechsler Scales. Prerequisite: Enrollment limited  to students in school psychology or clinical/community mental health program or permission of the instructor.

Clinical Assessment II: Personality Assessment. (3) A review of contemporary objective and projective measures of personality. Emphasis is on development of applied skills in assembling a test battery, administrating and interpreting test results, and integrative report writing. Prerequisites: Enrollment limited to students in the clinical/community mental health program who have successfully completed PSY 582 or permission of the instructor.

Psychological Problems of the Child. (3) Intensive study of the causes, evaluation, and treatment of social, emotional, and behavioral problems of children. Prerequisite: PSY 581 or permission of the instructor.

Introduction to School Psychology. (3) A survey of historical and current topics, issues, and professional problems in school psychology emphasizing the school psychologist’s role and function problems of professional practice, and legal and ethical considerations.

Behavioral Consultation. (3) Students will be exposed to various consultation theories used in educational settings to facilitate problem solving. Specific techniques used in behavioral consultation will be taught and practiced. Prerequisite: Three semester hours of PSY 586 or permission of instructor.

Child Neuropsychology. (3) Provide an awareness and understanding of the complexities of brain behavior relationships in children; enhance student’s skills regarding neuropsychological issues. Prerequisite: PSY 581 or permission of instructor. OR

Biopsychology of Drugs and Addiction. (3) A systematic study of the relationships between drugs and psychological processes (i.e., psychopharmacology) with emphasis on the roles of the central nervous system, individual experience, and the environment in determining the outcome of drug use Prerequisite: PSY 343, or BIOL 103, or HE 123, or HE 442, or graduate standing, or permission of the instructor. OR

Seminar: Psychopharmacology for Community Mental Health  (1-3) May be repeated up to twelve hours.

(formerly EDL 539) Leadership for Special Needs. (3) Principles and practices necessary for an inclusive school environment in which each student can be successful. Regulations, programs, and services for special needs groups; evidence-based instructional practices; intervention models for literacy, numeracy, and behavior; school-wide programs that foster high levels of student achievement; and professional learning. Prerequisites: Admitted to program, EDL 500 and EDL 504, or permission of the instructor.

Language Arts for Diverse Learners. (3) A course which focuses on language, learning, and the diagnostic and corrective techniques that can be used by the elementary classroom teacher in the areas of oral and written language, spelling, handwriting, and listening. Prerequisite: LA 567 or permission of the instructor.

Diversity Issues and Psychological Services. (1) Students will become acquainted with differences among groups who vary along the dimensions of ethnicity, gender, social class, sexual orientation, age, religious affiliation, and disability. Similarities among members of groups that occupy different positions along these dimensions will also be considered, as well as diversity within groups. These differences among and within groups, and similarities among people regardless of group membership, will be related to relevant issues relating to the provision of psychological services. OR

Counseling/Helping in a Multicultural Society. (3) Didactic and experiential course to expand personal and professional relationship competencies in working with people in our contemporary pluralistic society. This course cannot be audited.

Intervention with Children and Adolescents. (3) Students will learn to plan, implement, andevaluate interventions appropriate for children and adolescents exhibiting a variety of behavioral, cognitive, educational, medical, and emotional difficulties. Prerequisite: 3 s.h. of PSY 586 or permission of the instructor.

School Psychology Portfolio. (0) Students in the School Psychology Program are required to compile professional portfolios in which they must integrate information from all of their coursework and practica, and address the ways in which each course relates to their own professional development. Graded S/U. Prerequisite: Completion of at least 3 semester hours of PSY 586.

Thesis. (3) repeatable to 6) Graded S/U. Prerequisites: Successful completion of PSY 500/PSY 501 sequence or PSY 502 and permission of thesis advisor. OR

Professional Experience. (1-3), repeatable to 5) Practicum work at an advanced level in a setting appropriate to the student’s professional goals, i.e., a school system, community mental health center, etc. Graded S/U. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

School Psychology Internship. (6, Repeatable to 12) A one-year full-time supervised professional psychological experience with children of school age in a public school setting under supervision of an individual qualified as a supervising psychologist. Graded S/U. Prerequisite: Open only to those students endorsed for intern approval by WIU School Psychology Program Director. Students enroll during each semester of their internship experience.

Minimum Contact Hours: 1200 hours

Illinois State Accreditation Exam. (0) Students in the School Psychology program are required to complete the state of Illinois Accreditation Exam for School Psychologists and report the score to the program director. Graded S/U. Prerequisite: PSY 603.