Neuropsychology

Curriculum

The Neuropsychology Focus Area curriculum includes a cohesive set of didactic, clinical/applied, and research training experiences. This curriculum is designed in accordance with current education and training guidelines (e.g., Minnesota Conference Guidelines for Education and Training in Clinical Neuropsychology) as well as in preparation to eventually pursue board certification in clinical neuropsychology (e.g., American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology/American Board of Professional Psychology). In addition to the below requirements, the Neuropsychology Focus Area provides additional didactic opportunities to support students interested in this specialty area, such as through the neuropsychology academic interest group.

  1. Coursework
  2. Practicum/internship experience
  3. Comprehensive examinations
  4. Dissertation requirements

1. Coursework

The Neuropsychology focus area requires students to complete a focused set of didactic experiences, as detailed below. For students pursuing a Clinical Psychology Ph.D., a minimum of 5 courses are required and for students pursuing a Behavioral Sciences Ph.D., a minimum of 4 courses are required.

All doctoral students in the focus area must complete the following 2 core courses: 

  • PSY 601 Physiological Psychology 
  • PSY 692/693 Directed Readings and Research Problems: Brain-Behavior Relationships

Additionally, doctoral students in the focus area must complete 2 elective courses – at least 1 course in 2 of the following 4 areas:

Basic Neuroscience/Neurobiology

  • NEU/BIO 502 Introduction to Neurobiology
  • NEU 503 Introduction to the Neurosciences
  • NEU/BIO 522 Sensory Ecology
  • BIO 550 Advanced Topics in Neurobiology 

Structural and Functional Neuroanatomy; Clinical Neuroscience; Neurology 

  • ELE 564 Medical Imaging
  • ELE 568 Neural Engineering
  • NEU/PHT 511 Human Neuroscience and Neurology
  • CMD 582 Motor Speech Disorders 
  • NEU/CMD 583 Acquired Cognitive Communication Disorders 
  • CMD 585 Language Disorders in Adults
  • CMD 377 Functional Neuroanatomy 

Neurodevelopment and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

  • PSY 603 Development
  • PSY 607 Advanced Psychopathology
  • CMD 563 Language Disorders in Infants and Toddlers
  • CMD 564 Language Disorders In School-Aged Children
  • CMD 583 Language Disorders in Developmentally Young Children
  • CMD 586 Multisensory Instruction in Language and Literacy

Psychopharmacology 

  • PHC 502 Drug Development
  • BPS 587 General Pharmacology

Clinical Psychology doctoral students in the focus area must also take a course in the following area:

Psychological and Neuropsychological Assessment

  • PSY 661 Psychological Services I: Administration and Interpretation of Cognitive Tests
  • PSY 690 Seminar: Clinical Neuropsychology and Neuropsychological Assessment 

2. Practicum/Internship Experience

All students in the focus area must complete at least one applied experience in neuropsychology. 

For students pursuing a Clinical Psychology Ph.D., applied experience will involve completing practica/externships that include supervised training and experience conducting neuropsychological evaluations and writing clinical reports.

For students pursuing a Behavioral Science Ph.D., applied experience will involve research experience in neuropsychology. 

3. Comprehensive Examinations

At least one comprehensive examination topic/product must be related to neuropsychology. 

4. Dissertation Requirements

Your dissertation must be related to neuropsychology.in an area relevant to neuropsychology.

Additional Didactic Opportunities