Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology

The Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology Track offers students knowledge and training in brain and behavior relationships as well as in assessment, treatment and psychopharmacology with an emphasis on clinical research, theory, and practice skills using state-of-the-art facilities. The Honors experience culminates in a research thesis that is presented to the campus community and, in some instances, at regional and national conferences.

Thesis Topics

Thesis topics have included: memory, immersive Virtual Reality, artificial intelligence applications, meditation, neurodevelopmental disorders, depression-anxiety, brain injury, sensation seeking personality and first responders, language disorders, PTSD, judging sexual orientation, game structure and learning, depression and stigmatization among minorities, personality and information processing among offenders, cognitive and behavioral-physiological predictors of Alzheimer’s disease using artificial intelligence. The next topic could be yours!

Program Emphasis

This program emphasizes the acquisition of clinical knowledge, skills, and research competencies, as well as research opportunities in immersive Virtual Reality applications in the areas of clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and cognitive and clinical neuroscience under the mentorship of licensed clinicians. Students will be provided with foundational and applied work that enhances their understanding and knowledge of the processes mediating brain and behavior, assessment and the treatment of diseases and disorders as well as their underlying mechanisms.

Travel and Conference Opportunities

Track members have attended a variety of conferences in Cambridge-Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, South Carolina, and Pittsburgh and are co-authors on multiple manuscripts and presentations. In addition, members of the track have won a number of awards for academic, research and artistic accomplishments.

Track and Psychology Major and Minor

Students can apply some or all of the track credits toward the Psychology major or minor.

Who should apply:

• students in a variety of  majors who have an interest in understanding how the brain works, what happens when it does not work, and how to help people live fuller and healthier lives including your own life.

• if you are interested in graduate study and careers in clinically related areas and/or basic brain-behavior research
• if  you would like to acquire clinical and research skills and get career mentoring
• students seeking opportunities to publish as well as present and participate in regional and national conferences

How does the track operate?

Twelve core credits, distributed across the four courses below PLUS Clinical Science Thesis I and II for six credits. TOTAL Credits: 18   

Core Track Courses

1. Psychological Testing (PSY 3100) Honors section
2. Intro to Counseling & Psychotherapy (PSY 4100) Honors section
3. Psychopharmacology (PSY 4150)
4. Human Neuropsychology & Cognitive Neuroscience (CLSI 4950)
5. Clinical Science Thesis I (CLSI 4700)
6. Clinical Science Thesis II (CLSI 4701)

 Example of a course sequence for Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology Track

Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology Track Courses

• Intro to Counseling & Psychotherapy (4100) Honors section
  This course explores the major theories of psychotherapy and the application of those theories. For each therapy mode, the theory of psychopathology is related to the methods used and the theory of change. Research outcomes for each type of psychotherapy are reviewed.
• Psychopharmacology (PSY 4150)
  To provide groundwork for this course in the neurosciences, a behaviorally oriented overview of nervous system functioning and biochemistry is integrated with discussions of basic pharmacological principles and bio behavioral research methods.
• Human Neuropsychology & Cognitive Neuroscience (CLSI 4950)
  The focus of this course is on studying the relationship between brain and behavior in healthy and in clinical populations. This course will integrate both a theoretical and clinical perspective with emphasis placed on the neuropsychological and cognitive neuroscience foundations and methodologies used to examine and treat clinical disorders.
• Psychological Testing (PSY 3100) Honors section
  This course provides an overview of testing theory and practice with hands-on opportunities for testing. The course offers a clinical and multi-cultural perspective that helps inform the choice of tests, their strengths and weaknesses.
• Clinical Science Thesis I (1) CLSI 4700
  The central goal of this course is to provide feedback, guidance and oversight of the honors research experience. The emphasis is, therefore, to help provide a brief review of the foundational knowledge, research skills and ethical awareness integral to the research process. When Thesis I is taken after Thesis II, the course will support Thesis completion, including presentations.
• Clinical Science Thesis II (1) CLSI 4701
  The central goal of this course is to provide continuing oversight and feedback during the final stages of the honors research experience. The emphasis is, therefore, on monitoring progress and helping the student solve conceptual, methodological or logistical issues and to do so in constructive and supportive environment. When taken before Thesis I, the course supports topic selection, development of literature section, method, and IRB submission, if appropriate.
  

Minimum Entrance Requirements:
-Overall GPA of 3.25 or higher
-Satisfy any prerequisites or evidence of equivalent experience
-Statement of interest in online application

Prerequisites:
Coursework or equivalent experience in psychology, biology, and research methods would be helpful.

How do I join the track?
If you interested in joining the Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology Track, contact the Track Director, Dr. Bruce J. Diamond at diamondb@wpunj.edu, (973)720-3400.

About the Track Director: Dr. Diamond is a Licensed Neuropsychologist in New Jersey, specializing in clinical neuropsychological assessment and neurorehabilitation. His research focuses on the neuropsychology and cognitive & clinical neuroscience of memory, executive function, attention/concentration, information processing and mood/anxiety using standardized, computer-based and brain imaging/autonomic measures in healthy and in clinical populations. A practicing clinician, he has published extensively and presented at numerous national and international conferences.