Master of Arts in Psychology, Organizational Consulting Specialization

ORG 6300 Human Development (3 credits)

This course explores the major theories of adult development related to emotions, personality, cognitive functioning, social and family influences, and physical functioning. Current theoretical approaches and research related to adult development are emphasized as well as practical applications in the therapy setting.

ORG 5270 Mental Health & Psychopathology in the Workplace (3 credits)

This course acquaints the student with both normal and abnormal behavior evident in the workplace. The focus of the course is creating a healthy culture in the workplace, maintaining a healthy work/life balance, and managing stress. In addition, students learn the common mental disorders and personality disorders manifested in an organizational setting and how to exercise leadership to bring about positive change.

ORG 6530 Theories & Techniques of Counseling & Psychotherapy (3 credits)

This course is an overview of the psychodynamic, cognitive/behavioral, and existential/humanistic schools of psychology, as well as corresponding models of counseling and frequently used assessment and therapeutic techniques. The primary focus in the course is on the development of both skills and rationale in the application of intervention strategies to treatment and case management.

ORG 6499 Cultural Diversity and Individual Differences (3 credits)

This course provides a systematic review of the wide range of cultures and individual differences and the ways in which cultural mores, ethnocentrism, and factors such as matters of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, customs and cultures impact behavior of the individual themselves and of those around them. Through this course, students better understand themselves and others, in terms of perceptions and behaviors.

ORG 5400 Statistics & Psychometrics (3 credits)

This course emphasizes statistical concepts related to distributions and methods most appropriate to data and theories in psychology. The focus is on a quantitative approach to the concepts and methods of statistical inference. Topics include sampling, frequency distributions, estimation, and testing. Statistical techniques in analysis and interpretation of experimental data include estimation and testing, analysis of variance, experimental designs, linear regression, and correlation. Various statistical models are discussed including analyses of variance, covariance, and multiple regression; non-parametric statistics; components of variance; and designs and analyses for multi-factor experiments. Emphasis is placed on the role quantitative methodologies play in the quest to discover what the world is like.

ORG 6405 Applied Research in Organizational Leadership (3 credits)

This course is designed to give the student hands-on knowledge of the practices employed in analyzing organization and program data sets. Whether the data is provided as quantitative in nature, primarily though the use of surveys, questionnaires, or outcome data, or qualitative, through interviews or focus groups, students will be able to critically analyze the information in order to provide the appropriate feedback to the requesting entity. Students will be prepared to communicate the research and analysis processes to others and execute an appropriate article on the matter.

ORG 6520 Professional Ethics, Standards of Practice & Law (3 credits)**

This course is a study of the ethical and legal issues confronting the practicing psychologist. Topics related to clinical methodology, standards of practice, and inter-professional relations are explored. Students learn principles of ethical decision making, standards for human and animal use in research, and standards of care specified by state and federal laws. Emphasis is placed on exploration of the emotional impact that major ethical and legal dilemmas have on decision making. Students also master the current code of ethics of the American Psychological Association and other professional codes of ethics, such as the code of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy or the code of the American Counseling Association. This course must be taken at University of the Rockies and may not be transferred from another institution.

ORG 6632 Assessment Tools for Organizational Consulting (3 credits)

This course applies a broad range of assessment tools that consultants use in organizational interventions. In addition, the course addresses critical thinking for assessing individual, team, and organizational performance. Course content emphasizes multiple measurement approaches to data collection and interpretation to ensure validity and reliability. Principles taught in the course include the ethical use of psychological instrumentation and assessment.

ORG 6501 Foundations of Organizational Consulting (3 credits)

This course focuses on the application of psychological principles to the workplace and how psychologists can facilitate the improvement of work environments, conditions, employee performance, and inter-personal/team functioning. In addition, the course provides a review of the basic theory, research, and practice in organizational training, development, and behavior. Topics covered include job performance and attitudes, work motivation, personnel selection and classification, group influence, and training and development. There is an emphasis on the contribution of specific psychological skills in organizational consultation.

ORG 6505 Diagnosing Organizations (3 credits)

This course explores qualitative and quantitative research methods and data analysis that leaders and consultants use in organizations with particular attention to interview and observation. An understanding of organizational structure and organizational life-cycle development is provided. The course also examines how leaders in organizations can mediate high performance and learning through project team development, communication, collaboration, and individual and group conversation-based assessment.

ORG 6506 Leading Organizational Change (3 credits)

This course focuses on the principles and techniques associated with leading organizations through the change process. Included is a discussion of why organizations need to change in the current business and organizational environment. In addition, a process model of how best to bring about change serves as the core schema for the class sessions. To complement the "macro" or organizational approach to creating change, we also examine a "micro" viewpoint, addressing how to encourage individuals to change. Along these lines, we spend some time exploring the parallels between the organizational change process and how this discipline might inform how we change ourselves, and perhaps individuals. Finally, we draw some connections between the function of change and the role of leadership.

ORG 6636 Team Leadership & Corporate Culture (3 credits)

Course content emphasizes a critical thinking approach to overall organizational performance and the impact of team and group dynamics on that performance. Various models of team life cycles and performance form the basis for this critical thinking and analysis. Then the course examines the interdependence of team dynamics, team leadership, and organizational cultures. The course also explores ethical and diversity issues in team formation, building, and performance improvement.

ORG 6640 Advanced Consulting Applications (3 credits)

Consulting skills and critical thinking include analysis of performance problems and opportunities, and determination of the appropriate levels of consulting intervention: individual, team, workgroup, or organizational. The content explores the local and global contents of consulting skills, including the role of the consultant, framing the purposes and goals of a consulting intervention, and measuring outcomes. Students learn to assess their strengths and limitations as organizational consultants, and build a solid reputation as an organizational consultant.

Comprehensive Exam