Program Overview
The Doctor of Education in Mental Health and Human Development is a non-licensure program that provides doctoral-level preparation in mental health practices and an in-depth understanding of human development across the lifespan. The program is designed for individuals with a previous master's degree who aspire to increase their knowledge and expertise in the field of mental health and human development. Graduates are prepared for a variety of careers in mental health and human development, including mental health counselors, psychologists, social workers, and researchers.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Overview:
The Doctor of Education (EdD) in Mental Health and Human Development is a non-licensure program that provides doctoral-level preparation in mental health practices and an in-depth understanding of human development at the doctoral level in relation to serving diverse populations.
Objectives:
- To develop competencies in lifespan growth/development and assessment, diagnosis, case conceptualization, and treatment planning for culturally, psychologically, intellectually, and developmentally diverse individuals through the applied understanding of mental health and human development.
- To develop competencies in individual and cultural differences to provide ethical and culturally sensitive services to diverse individuals, populations, and organizations.
- To develop competencies in mental health and psychotherapeutic interventions, treatment strategies, clinical skills, and consultation for culturally, psychologically, intellectually, and developmentally diverse individuals and groups.
- To develop written and oral competencies in scientific methodology and the application of these competencies to research and practices in mental health, human development, counseling, and other scholarly activities.
- To develop personal and interpersonal competencies and skills essential for mental health and human development professionals to conduct themselves in a competent and professional manner in serving diverse individuals and groups.
Program Description:
The Mental Health and Human Development program is geared towards individuals with a previous master's degree who aspire to increase their knowledge and expertise in the field of mental health and human development across the lifespan. Students in the Mental Health and Human Development program may already be licensed, in the process of becoming licensed, or are not interested in licensure. The doctoral students in this program come from various human services fields and are interested in addressing important topics in relation to mental health and human development, particularly for at-risk populations.
Outline:
Content:
The program covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Applied Behavioral Statistics
- Counseling Theories, Techniques, Practice, and Consultation
- Diagnostic Cognitive Assessment
- Theories of Learning Disabilities
- Substance Use Disorders and Addiction Counseling
- Clinical Skills in Treatment Modalities and Consultation
- Racial, Multi-Cultural, and Social Bases of Behavior
- Cognitive Psychology
- Seminar in Learning Disabilities
- Physiological Basis of Behavior
- Bivariate and Multivariate Applied Research Methods and Evaluation
- Studies in Human Lifespan Development
- Studies in Psychopathology Assessment, Diagnosis, and Intervention
- Practicum in Psychology - Non-Licensure
- Internship - Non-Licensure I
- Internship - Non-Licensure II
Structure:
The program consists of 60 credit hours, including:
- Core Course Requirements (45 credits)
- Dissertation Requirements (15 credits)
Course Schedule:
The program is offered in a hybrid format, with a combination of online and on-campus courses. The course schedule is designed to accommodate working professionals.
Individual Modules with Descriptions:
PSY8036 - Applied Behavioral Statistics (3)
This course examines various statistical methods and their application to human behavioral topics and issues.
PSY5217 - Counseling Theories, Techniques, Practice, and Consultation (3)
This course explores the major theories, principles, and techniques of mental health counseling and their application in counseling settings.
PSY8338 - Diagnostic Cognitive Assessment: WISC/WAIS/WCJ COG (3)
This course provides a thorough understanding of the administration, scoring, and interpretation of the WISC, WAIS, and WCJ COG cognitive assessments.
PSY8340 - Racial, Multi-Cultural, and Social Bases of Behavior (3)
This course emphasizes diversity in relation to theories, issues, and trends related to multicultural counseling and family consultation.
PSY8410 - Cognitive Psychology (3)
This course provides an intensive analysis of cognitive functioning in relation to human thought and behavior.
PSY6607 - Clinical Skills in Treatment Modalities and Consultation (3)
This course examines the theoretical bases of counseling processes, mental health counseling techniques, and their therapeutic applications.
PSY9210 - The Physiological Basis of Behavior (3)
This course covers the study of the structures and functions of the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and endocrine system and their relationship to human behavior.
PSY9220 - Multivariate Research Methods (3)
This course focuses on practical problems involved in real-world research, including causal inference, validity of instruments and design, and statistical analysis of data.
PSY9410 - Substance Use Disorders and Addiction Counseling (3)
This course encompasses the understanding of substance use disorder within the criteria of the current DSM and addiction as a disease within the medical model.
PSY9949 - Studies in Human Lifespan Development (3)
This course covers the major theories of human lifespan development in relation to the well-being of individuals and mental health counseling.
PSY9950 - Studies in Psychopathology Assessment, Diagnosis, and Intervention (3)
This course covers major theories and principles of psychopathology and intervention in relation to mental health counseling.
PSY9951 - Dissertation in Mental Health Counseling I (3)
The first semester of the dissertation process includes the completion of the dissertation proposal.
PSY9952 - Dissertation in Mental Health Counseling II (3)
The second semester of the dissertation process includes the completion of the dissertation and passing the oral defense.
PSY8238 - Practicum in Psychology - Non-Licensure (Part I) (3)
This practicum provides experience in human dynamics in various settings with an overarching sense of social justice.
PSY8538 - Pre-Doctoral Internship - Non-Licensure (Part I) (3)
The first semester of a two-semester supervised experience in human dynamics and human development issues in a chosen setting.
PSY8539 - Pre-Doctoral Internship - Non-Licensure (Part II) (3)
The second semester of a two-semester supervised experience in human dynamics and human development issues in a chosen setting.
Assessment:
Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including:
- Coursework assignments
- Exams
- Research projects
- Presentations
- Practicum and internship experiences
- Dissertation
Teaching:
The program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are experts in their fields. The teaching methods include:
- Lectures
- Discussions
- Case studies
- Role-playing
- Simulations
- Research projects
Careers:
Graduates of the program are prepared for a variety of careers in mental health and human development, including:
- Mental health counselors
- Psychologists
- Social workers
- Marriage and family therapists
- School counselors
- Rehabilitation counselors
- Researchers
- Educators