PMHS Course Descriptions
Table of Contents
- PMHS 104 Mental Health Studies
- PMHS 407 Worldview & Identity
- PMHS 419 Child & Adolescent Development
- PMHS 420 Adult Development & Aging
- PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics
- PMHS 424 Research Methods & Statistics
- PMHS 427 Abnormal Psychology
- PMHS 428 Interpersonal Communications
- PMHS 432 Personal & Professional Ethics
- PMHS 433 Addiction Disorders
- PMHS 434 History, Culture, & Theories of Psychology
- PMHS 436 Cognition, Memory, & Language
- PMHS 437 Trauma & Coping
- PMHS 475 Field Experience
- PMHS 495 Individualized Study
PMHS 104 Mental Health Studies
1 credit hour
This course will provide a brief overview and analysis of concepts in the field of mental health and psychology. An emphasis will be placed on a broad understanding of the field of mental health, career opportunities in the helping professions, and the basic tenets of the study of psychology and stress.
PMHS 407 Worldview & Identity
3 credit hours
In this advanced course, students will engage in an in-depth analysis of worldview formation, with a focus on its implications for personal identity, professional paradigms, interpersonal communication, ethical decision-making, and faith development. Students will evaluate diverse perspectives and theological frameworks, including a discipline-specific exploration of the foundations of the Christian faith and its historical and societal impact. The course will guide students in refining a personal worldview that shapes their understanding of work, fostering a deeper integration of faith, reason, and ethical responsibility.
PMHS 419 Child & Adolescent Development
3 credit hours
This course will introduce students to the theoretical and developmental approaches to child and adolescent development. Emphasis on a biosocial, psychosocial, and cognitive approach to development in childhood and adolescence is explored. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics
PMHS 420 Adult Development & Aging
3 credit hours
This course will introduce students to specific developmental issues and changes during early, middle, and later adulthood. Emphasis on a biosocial, psychosocial, and cognitive approach to development in adulthood and aging is explored. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics
PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics
3 credit hours
The course introduces students to concepts in family relationships and dynamics. Historic and contemporary family theories are explored as a framework to better understand families. Presents family and group dynamics from a systems perspective.
PMHS 424 Research Methods & Statistics
3 credit hours
This course is an introduction to the basic methods of qualitative and quantitative research. Focus is on the basic concepts of scientific inquiry as applied to social services. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics.
PMHS 427 Abnormal Psychology
3 credit hours
This course offers an introduction to the types, nature, and causes of major behavioral disorders. Provides insight into behaviors that can have an impact on relationships. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics
PMHS 428 Interpersonal Communications
3 credit hours
This course investigates the role communication plays in creating healthy group relationships. Emphasis is placed on intentional interviewing strategies, verbal and nonverbal communication, effective listening, constructive feedback, and assertiveness in communication. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics.
PMHS 432 Personal & Professional Ethics
3 credit hours
This course is an exploration of personal and professional ethics in the helping professions. Students will examine and develop systems for making ethical decisions. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics.
PMHS 433 Addiction Disorders
3 credit hours
This course provides an overview of screening, intake, and assessment. It includes recognizing physical health problems, psychological effects, social effects, making recommendations about addiction education, outpatient and inpatient treatment. Topics include, but are not limited to, drug, gambling, and sexual addictions. Prerequisites: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics, PMHS 427 Abnormal Psychology
PMHS 434 History, Culture, & Theories of Psychology
3 credit hours
This course will introduce students to the history and foundations of psychology with an emphasis on the cultural and global understanding of this discipline. Students will explore schools of thought in psychology including structuralism, functionalism, behaviorism, Gestalt, and psychoanalysis. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics
PMHS 436 Cognition, Memory, & Language
3 credit hours
This course will explore the vast fields of cognitive psychology, memory, and language. Emphasis will be on developing the student鈥檚 understanding of the historical and modern accomplishments of cognitive psychology, the many aspects of memory, and the development and application of the study of language. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics
PMHS 437 Trauma & Coping
3 credit hours
This course will provide an overview and analysis of the concepts of acute stress, trauma, and how to cope with stress and trauma. An emphasis will be placed on crisis management, self-care, building safe relationships, generational trauma, and cultural implications of stress and trauma. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics
PMHS 475 Field Experience
1-9 credit hour
(Optional - by arrangement with the School of Professional Studies) Active internship in the social services field in which the student is employed or seeks employment. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics
PMHS 495 Individualized Study
1-4 credit hour
Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the major.