Counseling & Clinical Psychology Specialization

The Counseling & Clinical Psychology Specialization prepares students for employment, careers and graduate study in the field of Psychology as a helping profession. In this program, you will learn about a wide range of psychological difficulties, as well as the theories psychologists use to understand them, the research methods used to study them, and the techniques used for helping people who struggle with them. You will have opportunities to conduct clinically-relevant research and to develop your knowledge and practical skills with field-work experiences in mental health settings. If you are considering graduate studies in the helping professions or a career as a counselor, therapist, social worker, or practicing psychologist, this specialization is for you.

For more information about this specialization, contact the Counseling and Clinical Coordinator, Dr. Hohmuth, hohmuth@tcnj.edu

Faculty affiliated with the Counseling & Clinical Psychology Specialization:

Counseling & Clinical Psychology Course Requirements

Core Courses (Taken in sequence)

PSY 101 - General Psychology
PSY 121 - Methods and Tools of Psychology
PSY 203 - Design and Statistical Analysis
PSY 299 - Research Seminar

Foundation Courses (Choose 3):

PSY 216 - Personality Theory & Research
PSY 217 - Abnormal Psychology
Other Foundation Course (Choose 1)
- PSY 212 - Biopsychology
- PSY 214 - Cognitive Psychology
- PSY 218 - Psychology of Power, Oppression, and Privilege
- PSY 220 - Development across the Lifespan
- PSY 267 - Organizational Psychology

Specialized Courses (Choose 3):

Recommendations:

PSY 303 - Advanced Behavioral Statistics
PSY 331 - Clinical Psychology
PSY 335 - Developmental Psychopathology
PSY 338 - Sport & Exercise Psychology
PSY 340 - Health Psychology
PSY 342 - Clinical Psychopharmacology
PSY 343 - Behavioral Pharmacology of Drug Abuse
PSY 348 - Emotion
PSY 350 - Psychology of Women
PSY 361 - Seminar in Interviewing
PSY 370 - Developmental Seminar
PSY 373 - Counseling & Clinical Seminar
PSY 375 - Social Psychology Seminar
PSY 383 - Counseling & Clinical Field Study Seminar
PSY 386 - Psychological Testing
PSY 390 - Collaborative Research Course
PSY 393 - Individual Study*
PSY 396 - Honors Thesis I*
PSY 397 - Instructional Internship*
PSY 399 - Independent Internship*
* Students may apply one of these courses as a Specialized courses. Others may apply as a Psychology Option.

+ Students in this Specialization must obtain a supervised field experience in a clinical setting for which they earn 4 credits. This provides students with hands-on clinically-related learning experiences that are viewed favorably by potential employers and graduate schools. We recommend obtaining this experience through PSY383: Counseling & Clinical Field Study Seminar. Note that faculty teaching PSY383 have different registration procedures; some require permission of the instructor to register. Check PAWS for registration requirements for the current semester's offerings. The required field experience may also be obtained through an Independent Internship (PSY 399 or PSY 499). For more information on Internships, the differences between PSY383 and PSY399/499, and the Internship application process, click here.

Psychology Option

One course (Recommended at 300-Level or 400-Level)

Senior Experience (Choose 1)

PSY 470 - Senior Topics Study Group
PSY 492 - Senior Collaborative Research Course with Drs. Chung, Martinetti, Ruddy or Vivona
PSY 493 - Senior Individual Study
PSY 496 - Honors Thesis II
PSY 499 - Senior Internship +

+ See note above about the required field experience.

For students in the Clinical & Counseling Specialization who want to combine the required field experience with the required senior experience, PSY499, the 400-level independent internship, remains an option. However, because the 400-level writing requirements conflict to some degree with the experiential learning goals of the field placement, we strongly recommend that students in the Clinical & CounselingSpecialization satisfy the field experience requirement at the 300-level, either with the PSY383 field study seminar course or with the PSY399 independent internship.

Please consult with your academic advisor if you have any questions.