Doctor of Psychology,
Organizational Diversity 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 7636 Strategic Organizational Development (3 credits)

This course explores the consultant's role as a business partner within the client organization. While focusing on the collaborative nature of the organizational consultant's role, the course emphasizes a client-consultant partnership based on the strategic interests of the organization. The course informs the student by taking an advocacy position for consulting interventions that affect sustainable change over the long term. It also utilizes the consultant's overall broad perspective to engender strategic thinking and implementation.

ORG 7644 Consulting in a Transformational Global Environment (3 credits)

This course is centered on the analysis and application of organizational psychology to optimize the consultant's impact on organizational performance. To achieve this outcome, the course emphasizes the consultant's role as a transformational change agent in a changing global business and economic climate. Critical thinking skills developed earlier in the curriculum apply in this course to a more systemic view, taking into account the globalization of organizations, transnational markets, economic sectors, and diverse culture influences. Ultimately, this course helps the student strive to focus on strategic organizational needs while maintaining a global perspective on the organization's operating environment.

ORG 8510 Advanced Seminar: Leading Organizational Change (3 credits)

This seminar examines cutting edge trends in organizational change, the current global business climate, forces driving change, and issues related to positioning organizations for the future. The topics selected will connect change with culture, existing organizational strategies, and the process of change in future directions. Major case study examples of organizational change are included in the learning process.

ORG 7701 Theoretical Foundations for Diversity Work (3 credits)

This course will review the theoretical underpinnings for diversity work in the United States. Students will consider the implications of different models and explore what diversity means as a developing field. The course explores multi-disciplinary scholars, practitioners and theorists (academic, public policy, organizational, and others) to formulate discussion, analysis and experiment in the concept of diversity as a framework for organizational success.

ORG 7705 Advanced Topics in Cross-Cultural Communications (3 credits)

This advanced course in cross-cultural communication will focus on the natural tensions that exist when conducting business globally. Within a framework of transnational business and global economics, students will address contemporary concerns that apply to strategic alliances and the management of the globally diverse organization. Topics covered include the achievements of global leaders, characteristics of leaders, leading across cultures, leading change and relationship between leaders and followers.

ORG 7710 Cross-Functional Diversity Alignment (3 credits)

Promoting an organizational environment that fosters diversity requires aligning to and with organizational values, missions and visions. This course provides an overview of the organizational system including the design, control, and improvement of business systems. Topics include operations strategy, marketing and public relations, the legal landscape, principles of measuring organizational results, quality management, affirmative action and its role with Human Resources, as well as supplier diversity management.

ORG 7715 Social Aspects of Diversity (3 credits)

In this advanced class in diversity, students will take a deeper look into the impact that privilege, stereotypes, bias and language have on individuals, teams and organizations. Students will review the history of the civil rights in the United States and its impact on organizational structure with an emphasis on marginalization, privilege, and structural inequality from a political and organizational framework. Students will then apply this to personal and professional setting to gain skills for addressing these issues individually and systemically in organizations.

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. Students may not register for dissertation credit until they have completed all other course work including their practicum. Dissertations are written per the policies, practices and procedures in the Dissertation Handbook.