Core Course Grid

The Core Course Description is based on the Psychology Practice Act Educational Requirements found in Minnesota Rules 7200.1300. If your application is based on a doctoral degree earned from a program not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Board's Application Review Committee (ARC) will audit the coursework upon which your doctoral degree was conferred. Your degree must meet the Educational Requirements in the Psychology Practice Act (Minnesota Rules 7200.1300), the ARC will make that determination using the following criteria as guidance:

Research Design, Statistics, and Psychological Measurement Theory (6 Semester or 9 Quarter Credits)

Per Minnesota Rules, part 7200.1300, subpart 5, item A, subitem (1), unit (a), at least one semester or 1-1/2 quarter credits must be in each of the following areas: research design, statistics, and psychological measurement theory.

Objectives:

  • Knowledge and skills to conduct, interpret, and evaluate research.
  • Ability to select, interpret, and evaluate statistical methods.
  • Understanding of theory and principles of measurement including reliability and validity.

Looking for courses in:

  • Research Design.
  • Statistics.
  • Measurement/Psychometrics.
  • Theory.
  • Qualitative/Quantitative.
  • Research Methods.
Not looking for courses in:
  • Assessment Classes (objective, projective, cognitive).
  • Developing, Researching, and/or Writing Dissertation, Final Project, Thesis, Directed Research, etc.
Biological Bases of Behavior (3 Semester or 5 Quarter Credits)
 
Human biological and physiological functioning in relation to psychological function.
 
Objectives:
  • Knowledge of biological function.
  • Knowledge of neurocognitive functions.
Looking for courses in:
  • Biological Bases of Behavior.
  • Neuropsychology.
  • Physiological Psychology.
  • Sensation and Perception.
Not looking for courses in:
  • DSM IV/DSM V.
  • Sex Therapy.
  • Biofeedback.
  • Addictions.

Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior (3 Semester or 5 Quarter Credits)

Cognitive and affective processes including learning, memory, and emotion.

Objectives:

  • Understanding of major research and theoretical perspectives of cognitive-affective bases of behavior.

Looking for courses in:

  • Cognition and Affect.
  • Human and/or Animal Learning.
  • Emotion.
  • Motivation.
  • Cognitive Process.

Not looking for courses in:

  • Behavioral Therapies.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapies.
  • Rational Emotive Therapy.
  • Schema Therapy.
Social Bases of Behavior (3 Semester or 5 Quarter Credits)
 
Research and theory in social psychology.
 
Objectives:
  • Understanding of social influence on personality, human interaction, and behavior.
Looking for courses in:
  • Social Bases of Behavior.
  • Group Processes and Theory.
  • Interpersonal Processes.
  • Social Psychology.
Not looking for courses in:
  • Family Therapy.
  • Relationship/Couples Therapy.
  • Group Therapy.
  • Systems Theory.
Personality Theory and Human Development (3 Semester or 5 Quarter Credits)
 
Physical, cognitive, emotional, and/or social aspects of human development.
Understanding of major research finding and perspectives of personality.
 
Objectives:
  • Knowledge of the stages of development across the lifespan.
  • Understanding of relationship between developmental stages and therapeutic intervention.
  • Classes focused on the development of personality.
Looking for courses in:
  • Lifespan Development.
  • Adult Development.
  • Child Development.
  • Adolescent Development.
  • Individual Difference.
  • Human Development.
  • Psychology of Aging.
  • Theories of Personality.
  • Developmental Psychopathology.
Not looking for courses in:
  • History and Systems.
  • Personality Assessment.
  • Person Centered Therapy.
Human Diversity (3 Semester or 5 Quarter Credits)
 
Multiculturalism (race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexual orientation, religion, SES, disability, language, immigration, age, etc.) and its impact on the practice of psychology.
 
Objectives:
  • Sensitivity to, and understanding of, cultural and individual diversity.
  • Understanding of the impact of historical, cultural, and economic factors that shape specific groups.
Looking for courses in:
  • Introduction to Diverse Populations.
  • Diversity Issues in Counseling Psychology.
  • Multicultural issues in psychology.
Not looking for courses in:
  • Social Psychology
  • Biological Bases of Behavior
  • Psychology related to sociology or anthropology
  • Specific theory-based multiculturalism (psychoanalysis and diversity)
 
Professional Ethics and Standards of Conduct (3 Semester or 5 Quarter Credits)
 
Legal issues and ethical and professional behavior related to the practice of psychology.
 
Objectives:
  • Knowledge of professional standards and ethics.
  • Skills to utilize standards and ethics in clinical practice.
Looking for courses in:
  • Professional Issues and Ethics.
Not looking for courses in:
  • Courses of professional issues with limited or no relationship to professional ethics.
  • Philosophical Ethics.
  • Courses related to certain practices (working in managed care, starting a practice, etc.).
Application of Psychological Principles to Problem Identification (6 Semester or 9 Quarter Credits)
 
Methods and tools used in conducting a variety of psychological analysis. Per Minnesota Rules, part 7200.1300, subpart 5, item A, subitem (2), The coursework must be in the areas of assessment, evaluation, or data collection, or a combination of these areas.
 
Objectives:
  • Knowledge and skills of clinical application of a variety of measures of cognitive abilities, personality, and psychopathology.
Looking for courses in:
  • Objective Personality Assessment.
  • Projective Personality Assessment.
  • Cognitive/Intellectual Assessment.
  • Psychological Testing.
  • Assessment in Psychology.
  • Neuropsychological Testing.
Not looking for courses in:
  • Treatment Theories and Interventions.
  • Theories of Assessment.
  • Any of the above core foundational course areas.
Application of Psychological Principles to Problem Solution (6 Semester or 9 Quarter Credits)
 
Per Minnesota Rules, part 7200.1300, subpart 5, item A, subitem (3), The coursework must be in the areas of psychological intervention or data analysis or a combination of these areas.
 
Objectives:
  • Planning and implementing psychological interventions.
  • Knowledge and skills in the use of specific treatment techniques.
Looking for courses in:
  • Systems Theory and Therapy.
  • Person-Centered and Experiential Theory and Therapy.
  • Approaches to Therapy.
  • Relationship and Group Therapy.
  • Approaches to Therapy/Counseling.
Not looking for courses in:
  • Practicum or Internship.
  • Practicum Seminars.
  • Any of the above core foundational course areas.
Application of Psychological Principles to Problem Solution (6 Semester or 9 Quarter Credits)
 
Per Minnesota Rules, part 7200.1300, subpart 5, item A, subitem (3), The coursework must be in the areas of psychological intervention or data analysis or a combination of these areas.
 
Objectives:
  • Planning and implementing psychological interventions.
  • Knowledge and skills in the use of specific treatment techniques.
 
Looking for courses in:
  • Systems Theory and Therapy.
  • Person-Centered and Experiential Theory and Therapy.
  • Approaches to Therapy.
  • Relationship and Group Therapy.
  • Approaches to Therapy/Counseling.
 
Not looking for courses in:
  • Practicum or Internship.
  • Practicum Seminars.
  • Any of the above core foundational course areas.
 
NOTE:
1. Educational requirements for licensure require 3 graduate semester credits or five quarter credits in each of the core foundational course areas, unless otherwise noted above.
2. Educational requirements for licensure require 6 graduate semester credits or nine quarter credits in each of the core application course areas.
3. The tables above summarize the Application Review Committees understanding of the types of courses which generally fit, or generally do not fit, into the various categories of Minnesota Rule, part 7200.1300, subpart 5. This list is not meant to be exhaustive. It represents our experience over the past years in evaluating applications.