Doctor of Psychology,
Health and Wellness Psychology Specialization

ORG 5001 Survey of Psychology I (3 credits)*

This course is a survey course developed to assist students with degrees in areas other than psychology to become prepared for graduate study in psychology. Survey I covers an introduction to research, basic psychotherapeutic concepts, cognitive development, sexual development and issues, child issues, family therapy and other therapies, learning and memory and ethics. This course is the first of two survey courses in this preparation process.

ORG 5002 Survey of Psychology II (3 credits)*

This course is the second of two survey courses. This course covers a brief history of psychology, psychoanalytic theories of personality as well as other personality theories, human motives and social motives, psychological therapies and questions about psychotherapy, intelligence measurement, personality traits and their measurement, social relation in groups, stress, health and illness and mind, self and well being. Prerequisite: ORG 5001.

ORG 7509 History & Systems of Psychology (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the theoretical systems, methods of inquiry, and terminologies associated with the history of psychology. The course is grounded in a broad historical understanding that builds a framework for understanding the contemporary field of psychology. The focus is on the major systems of Associationism, Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviorism, Gestalt, Psychodynamic, and Existential/Humanistic.

ORG 7510 Biological Bases of Behavior (3 credits)

This course is designed to provide the student with a foundation of human physiology including the nervous, hormonal, reproductive, and sensory systems, and the attendant functions of digestion, sleep, learning and memory, emotion and other human biological functions. The course provides an essential knowledge base for most other offerings in the field of psychology.

ORG 7600 Family Systems (3 credits)

This course is an introduction to the systems approach to intervention with families. It includes a historical perspective on family theory development. The focus is on obtaining knowledge and theory about the nuclear family in traditional and alternative forms. Normal family patterns of interaction, family life cycle, family of origin, family subsystems, and societal influence are explored. Contemporary issues and outcome research literature are reviewed. This course serves as a knowledge base for further study of assessment, treatment, and intervention with families.

ORG 7210 Adult Psychopathology & Treatment I (3 credits)

This course focuses on the etiology and diagnosis of adult psychopathological disorders. Students develop skills in case conceptualization and addressing adult disorders, and differential diagnosis. Benefits and limitations of the diagnostic process are reviewed.

ORG 7260 Adult Psychopathology & Treatment II (3 credits)

This course examines the methods and techniques employed to assist adult clients in the change process with specific reference to problem diagnosis, case conceptualization, and construction of a systematic treatment plan, emerging treatment revision, assessment of outcome, termination, and ethical issues in the treatment process. While placing treatment within a theoretical context, the real emphasis in this course is on treatment techniques aimed at symptom and problem reduction. Prerequisite: ORG 7210 or equivalent.

ORG 7272 Group Process & Group Leadership in Organizations (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of group theory, processes and dynamics in organizations. It will also examine effective behaviors and characteristics of facilitating/leading groups in an organizational setting. Students will be afforded the opportunity to participate in group simulations both as participant and facilitator. Students will receive evaluation and feedback on their group facilitation skills. A strong emphasis is placed on ethical standards and behavior in groups along with legal issues. The impact on groups of factors such as diversity, culture, distance, and others are explored.

ORG 7300 Advanced Seminar: Statistics & Psychometrics in Organizations (3 credits)

This course involves the advanced study of the theory and practice of psychological measurement. Students review the principles of statistical inference (univariate inferential statistics for comparisons of sample means and correlation, hypothesis testing, and statistical tests appropriate to one-way research designs) and psychological measurement (levels of measurement, research variables, validity and reliability of instruments and measurement procedures) as a basis for exploring the proper use of tests and measurements in psychological research. The course familiarizes the prospective professional psychologist with types of psychometric instruments commonly used in organizational psychology practice: intellectual, aptitude, and achievement tests; interest inventories; personality tests; and social measures. Students explore published research based on psychometric instruments and other measurement methodologies, and learn to critique and evaluate the published research.

ORG 7400 Research Design & Methods - Quantitative (3 credits)

This course extends a student's knowledge of the principles and procedures involved in complex behavioral sciences research. The goal is to provide the student with an educational experience that allows him or her to become an informed consumer of scholarly psychological research. The course also prepares the student to conduct advanced research. Topics include philosophy of science, advanced research methods, and analysis of variance. Prerequisite: ORG 7300.

ORG 7410 Research Design & Methods - Qualitative (3 credits)

Readings and exercises in this course emphasize design, analysis, and research concepts most appropriate to investigating intangibles and common data in psychological modeling. Techniques of methodological design related to observational, evaluative, systemic, psycho-historical, phenomenological, heuristic, mythic, and case methods are emphasized. Other course topics include data collection, reliability, validity, data summary and analysis, data reporting, influences on response rate, techniques of survey sampling (mail, questionnaire, and telephone surveys), and semi-structured interview schedules. Research issues of protection of human subjects, privacy, and confidentiality are also addressed. Students are supervised and share experiences gained while preparing to develop, administer, and analyze qualitative research projects. Emphasis is placed on the role that qualitative methodologies play in the world of research. Prerequisite: ORG 7400 or equivalent.

ORG 7101 Assessment of Personality for Organizational Leadership (3 credits)

This course involves the study of the theory and practice of objective personality assessment and its application to executive coaching and organizational leadership. The course focuses on how objective personality assessment is used to provide insights into readiness for leadership and management roles. Primary emphasis is on those published instruments and inventories commonly used in executive coaching, organizational leadership assessment and organizational development, including instruments such as: FIRO-B, Social Style Profile, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, CPI 260, Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode, Campbell Leadership Index, Workplace Big Five, Change Style Indicator, Campbell Organizational Survey, and Conflicts Dynamics Profile. (All of the above will not necessarily be included in each session of the course; instructors will select representative examples from classes of instruments.)

ORG 7340 Advanced Leadership in Health Promotion Programs (3 credits)

This course examines the role of a health promotion leader and the impact of culture on organizations. It provides students with the ability to be a positive catalyst within organizations to influence and lead transformational change initiatives to promote the health of the individuals and their organization/system. Students begin with an examination of tools that influence workplace cultures. An extensive and realistic case study will teach students how to track the impact on productivity as a result of creating healthy cultures, and to evaluate the role of health promotion leaders of the future. In addition to providing students with the necessary foundation to understand health promotion leadership competencies, this course also emphasizes the importance of being a strategic business partner in both organizational and system roles.

ORG 8530 Influence, Motivation & Persuasion in the Workplace (3 credits)

This advanced graduate seminar explores theories of motivating adult performance in the workplace. The exploration includes theories and application of methods for leaders to influence and persuade others in ways that motivate and engage them in their work and their organization's mission. Prerequisite: 30 semester hours of graduate work in organizational leadership, clinical or counseling psychology, or the equivalent.

ORG 7343 Advanced Intervention Strategies in Wellness Programming (3 credits)

This course examines the full range of intervention strategies and learning modalities for promoting health and wellness. Students will explore the most updated and proven theories for achieving strong employee participation, improving lifestyles and health outcomes, as well as for reducing health care costs. Students will analyze and plan advanced interventions for new wellness programs and mature wellness programs. Additional topics in this advanced course will cover recent issues in health care such as the impact of an aging population, use of incentives, injury prevention, and medical consumerism. Students will conduct a survey of relevant research to determine suitable environments and conditions for integration of current best practices.

ORG 7346 Applied Research on Wellness Programs Outcomes (3 credits)

This course reviews the most current methods for evaluating outcomes in wellness programs in terms of the following: participation, reduced risks, health improvements, productivity measures, cultural and morale measures, in addition to health care costs. Students learn the importance of designing a wellness program that from inception includes methods for tracking and evaluating changes in participants and in the organization. Students work to integrate the various research methods to develop their own plans for measuring the outcomes of wellness programs.

ORG 7350 Strategic Organizational Wellness Program Design (3 credits)

This course emphasizes the value of aligning a health promotion program with a broad range of organizational interests and functions such as HSE (health, safety, and environment), risk management, human resources and benefits, as well as EAP (employee assistance programs) to enhance organizational effectiveness and reduce costs. The emphasis is on overall program effectiveness and inclusion of formative assessments that indicate ongoing modifications for improvement. The overarching goal of assessment is to integrate strategic diagnoses, design, and execution of high quality wellness programs that lead to sustained organizational change.

ORG 8560 Health & Wellness Business Consulting (3 credits)

This course prepares health promotion professionals to qualify as an external consultant to plan and manage an organization's wellness programs. This course explores the critical elements necessary for creating and managing a business in the health and prevention industry. The course examines the role of the business owner and the application of research practices in writing a business plan, marketing, sales, and proposal writing. Students learn how to apply metrics and methods to measure the various aspects of business performance as well as the outcomes of their clients' programs.

ORG 7356 Integrative Medicine in Health Promotion Programs (3 credits)

This course examines recent advances in traditional and nontraditional research that have led to new ways of thinking about well-being and illness. Drawing on fields such as neuroscience, positive psychology, and interdisciplinary consciousness studies, students will enhance their awareness of ways to promote exceptional health habits through self-awareness and enlightenment. Students will also conduct in-depth studies of advanced research and theories that integrate mind-body practices beneficial to the health of individuals, groups, and organizations alike. Advanced practices in the areas of performance, health psychology, energy healing, indigenous, and Eastern medicine will be explored. Students will assess the efficacy and appropriateness of various practices to know which of them to incorporate into health promotion programs.

ORG 8966-8970 Organizational Practicum I-V (6 credits)

Students obtain direct organizational experience during one or more organizational consulting opportunities. Each student has a University of the Rockies practicum supervisor as well as an on-site supervisor. Students have the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles related to their chosen specialization. They also have the opportunity to work with a variety of leadership styles and organizational cultures as part of their practicum experience. Students locate practicum sites based on their particular interests with the support of the School of Organizational Leadership faculty and Dean. Students must complete each term or practicum before registering for the subsequent term. Full requirements and other information can be found in the Practicum Handbook.

ORG 8990 Dissertation (5 credits)++

Students writing a dissertation must complete a total of 5 credits by registering for five consecutive terms of dissertation credit, one credit per term. Dissertations are written per the policies, practices and procedures in the Thesis and Dissertation Handbook.