THE FACULTY OF PSYCHOLOGY AT NAIU

Our psychology programs are designed to expand your knowledge, sharpen your critical thinking skills and teach you how to evaluate problems and find solutions. They cover all key professional competencies and provide you with the critical communication skills you need to be successful. You’ll also develop valuable research skills. At the end of New Alliance International university's training, you will have a deep understanding of psychological principles and focus on how to help others overcome the obstacles they face. Here are the degrees we offer in this field:

A Ph.D. in Psychology by New Alliance International University (UINA) is an advanced graduate degree that requires students to develop expertise in various areas of psychology, including theory, research methods, and application in real-world settings. The specific courses required for a Ph.D. in Psychology vary by concentration or specialization (e.g., clinical, counseling, experimental, cognitive, social, developmental, etc.), but there are common foundational and core courses that most Ph.D. programs in psychology include.

Below is an overview of the required courses and core subjects typically found in a Ph.D. program in Psychology:

1. Core Courses for a Ph.D. in Psychology

These courses lay the foundation for advanced psychological practice and research.

Foundations of Psychology

• Introduction to Psychological Science: A review of basic psychological concepts, including the biological, cognitive, emotional, and social factors that influence behavior.

• History and Systems of Psychology: Study of the historical development of psychology and the major schools of thought (e.g., behaviorism, psychoanalysis, humanism, cognitive psychology).

• Philosophy of Science: Exploration of the philosophical underpinnings of psychological research, including issues related to the nature of knowledge, scientific inquiry, and the ethics of research.

Research Methods and Statistical Analysis

• Quantitative Research Methods: Techniques for designing and conducting quantitative research, including experimental designs, sampling methods, and statistical tools for analysis.

• Qualitative Research Methods: Approaches to gathering and analyzing qualitative data, such as interviews, case studies, and ethnographic research.

• Advanced Statistical Methods in Psychology: In-depth exploration of statistical methods such as regression analysis, factor analysis, ANOVA, and multivariate techniques commonly used in psychological research.

• Psychometrics: Study of the theory and application of psychological measurement, including the development and validation of psychological tests and scales.

• Research Ethics: Ethical considerations in psychological research, including informed consent, confidentiality, and dealing with vulnerable populations.

2. Advanced Specialization Courses

Once the foundational courses are completed, Ph.D. students typically focus on courses that are specific to their area of specialization. These courses provide the depth of knowledge required for advanced research and practice.

For Clinical and Counseling Psychology

• Psychopathology: Study of the classification, causes, and treatment of psychological disorders. Students learn to diagnose and treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and psychotic disorders.

• Therapeutic Techniques and Interventions: Study of various therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, and Family Therapy.

• Clinical Supervision and Consultation: Skills for providing clinical supervision to trainees and consulting with other professionals in a clinical setting.

• Cultural Competency and Diversity in Therapy: Exploration of how cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic factors influence therapeutic practice and how to provide culturally competent care.

• Psychological Assessment: Training in the use of standardized assessment tools to evaluate mental health, including personality inventories, intelligence tests, and diagnostic interviews.

For Experimental and Research Psychology

• Cognitive Psychology: Advanced study of human cognition, including perception, attention, memory, language, decision-making, and problem-solving.

• Neuropsychology: Study of the relationship between the brain and behavior, including the effects of brain injuries or neurological conditions on cognitive and emotional functioning.

• Learning and Behavior: Examination of behavioral principles such as reinforcement, punishment, classical conditioning, and operant conditioning.

• Social Psychology: In-depth study of how social influences affect behavior, including topics like group dynamics, attitudes, aggression, prejudice, and social identity.

• Developmental Psychology: Advanced study of psychological growth and development throughout the lifespan, including childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and aging.

For Cognitive and Neuroscience Psychology

• Cognitive Neuroscience: Study of the neural basis of cognition and emotion, including the relationship between brain structures and cognitive functions such as memory, language, and attention.

• Biopsychology: Exploration of the biological underpinnings of psychological phenomena, including brain function, neurotransmission, and the influence of hormones on behavior.

• Neuroimaging and Brain Mapping: Introduction to techniques like fMRI, EEG, and PET scans used to study brain activity and structure.

For Social and Organizational Psychology

• Group Dynamics: Exploration of how individuals behave in groups, how groups make decisions, and how group membership affects behavior.

• Social Influence and Persuasion: Study of how individuals are influenced by others, including topics like conformity, obedience, and persuasion.

• Industrial-Organizational Psychology: Focus on psychological principles applied to workplace settings, including personnel selection, motivation, job satisfaction, and organizational behavior.

3. Elective Courses (depending on the program)

Many Ph.D. programs allow students to select electives based on their specific interests. Some examples might include:

• Forensic Psychology: Applying psychological principles in legal contexts, including criminal behavior, competency evaluations, and the psychology of witnesses and jurors.

• Health Psychology: Study of the psychological factors that affect physical health, including stress, coping, and health behavior change.

• Addiction and Substance Abuse: Examination of the psychological and physiological aspects of addiction, treatment modalities, and prevention strategies.

• Sexuality and Psychology: Exploration of human sexual behavior, sexual orientation, and gender identity from a psychological perspective.

4. Dissertation Research and Professional Development

• Dissertation Proposal: Ph.D. students must develop and present a research proposal for approval before proceeding with dissertation research. The proposal includes an introduction, literature review, research question(s), methodology, and expected outcomes.

• Dissertation Research: Involves conducting original research based on the dissertation proposal, collecting data, analyzing results, and writing the dissertation.

• Academic Writing and Publishing: Training in writing for academic journals, including research articles, reviews, and conference presentations.

• Professional Ethics and Issues: Discussion of ethical issues that arise in the practice of psychology and research, including professional conduct, confidentiality, and managing conflict of interest.

5. Practical Experience (Clinical, Teaching, or Research Assistantships)

For students pursuing a clinical psychology or counseling psychology Ph.D., hands-on clinical training is required. Students typically participate in supervised clinical practice in settings such as:

• University clinics

• Mental health hospitals

• Community centers

• Private practice under supervision

Ph.D. students pursuing research psychology may engage in research assistantships where they collaborate with faculty on ongoing research projects and gain experience in experimental design, data collection, and analysis.

Program Structure and Duration

A Ph.D. in Psychology by New Alliance International University (UINA) typically takes 5 to 7 years to complete. The first few years focus on coursework and building a strong foundation in research and theory. The later years are dedicated to conducting original research, writing a dissertation, and preparing for professional work in academia, research, or clinical practice.

Summary of Common Ph.D. Psychology Courses

1. Core Foundation Courses:

o History and Systems of Psychology

o Psychological Research Methods (Quantitative and Qualitative)

o Psychometrics and Statistics

o Ethics in Research and Practice

2. Specialization-Specific Courses:

o Clinical Practice (for Clinical/ Counseling Psychology)

o Cognitive Neuroscience (for Cognitive Psychology)

o Psychopathology and Treatment (for Clinical/ Counseling)

o Social and Organizational Psychology (for Social Psychology)

3. Elective Courses (depending on specialization):

o Forensic Psychology

o Health Psychology

o Developmental Psychology

o Addictions Counseling

4. Dissertation Research and Professional Development:

o Dissertation Proposal

o Research Design and Execution

o Academic Writing and Publishing

5. Practical Experience (Clinical, Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships)

Where Innovation Meets Education
Image
Empowering Minds, Shaping Futures