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2012

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| ae ae. aeCAROLINAUNIVERSITYMental Retardation/DevelopmentalDisabilitiesConcentration_MR/DD="SSNYaiesee"SsSad)= 04806eSSSY VLSivasYN VN60

OverviewThe MR/DD concentration trains students to work withersons who have mental retardation/ developmentaldisabilities. It is a minimum 36 semester-hour programthat prepares students primarily to become psychologistswho are familiar with the major theories and principles ofsychology and with research design and statisticalanalysis.In addition, students will gain expertise in the area of ap-lied behavior analysis, particularly as it relates to assess-ment and intervention with persons who have mental _retardation or other developmental disabilities. One ormore internships will provide students with the opportu-nity to apply skills learned through course work; to ac-quire new skills in real-world settings; and to serve asrofessionals working with professionals from other dis-ciplines with the same population.One unique aspect of the MR/DD concentration is thatersons who are working full time can complete this pro-gram at night on a part-time basis over a six-year period.Many part-time students complete the program morerapidly by taking at least one semester to attend schoolfull time.The MR/DD concentration is one of three within the gen-eral program, the other two being academic/experimen-tal and industrial/ organizational.Employment/AdvancementOpportunitiesEmployment opportunities for MR/DD masterTs-levelsychologists are readily available and quite varied ineastern North Carolina and throughout the United Statesin large state-supported institutions for individuals withmental retardation, as well as in privately owned residen-tial facilities. With the trend toward deinstitutional-ization, normalization, and integration of individualswith mental retardation and other developmental dis-abilities into the mainstream of society, child develop-ment centers, mental health centers, group homes, em-loyment agencies, and community colleges frequentlyhire persons with expertise in applied behavior analysisand MR/DD.MasterTs-level psychologists with a concentration inMR/DD must pass a state examination to become li-censed as a psychological associate to practice psychologyin the state of North Carolina. Once licensed, they canwork for an agency or have their own private practice,rovided that they obtain ongoing licensure supervisionfrom a PhD-level licensed psychologist with expertise inMR/DD.Upon completion of the masterTs degree, students may electto continue in a PhD-level program in applied behavioranalysis and/or MR/DD.Course WorkThe required and recommended courses and semestercredit hours are as follows. The semester credit hours willtotal a minimum of 36.SYC6430 Statistics and Research Design (3)6427 Advanced Principles of Learning (3)6412 Advanced Physiological Psychology (3)6426 Motivation (3)6333 Applied Behavior Analysis (3)5336 Introduction to Programming in MentalRetardation (3)6960 Internship in MR/DD 1 (2);Select one course from the following:SYC5380 Psychology of the Exceptional Child (3)6401 Advanced Child Psychology (3)6405 Advanced Educational Psychology (3)6452 Emotional Problems of Childhood (3)Electives (5)orAssessment Sequence (8)SYC 6510 MR/DD Assessment I (3)SYC 6511 MR/DD Assessment II (3)SYC 6961 Internship in MR/DDII (2)SYC 6995 Thesis (3)SYC 6996 Thesis (3)Electives to complete requirements for graduationInternshipsInternships give students the opportunity to perform underthe supervision of a masterTs- or PhD-level psychologist inan agency serving persons with mental retardation or otherdevelopmental disabilities. Internships may also providestudents with the opportunity to develop theses projectsand collect data. Internship placements are generally sched-uled for the fall and/or spring semesters of the second yearof the program.There are two separate internships in the MR/DD concen-tration, each involving twenty hours a week for one semes-ter. The first is a programming internship. As interns, stu-dents will be assigned duties that may include activitiessuch as meeting with other professionals on an interdiscipli-nary team and writing behavioral programs for clients.The second is an assessment internship that is designedfor students who choose the assessment sequence option.The assessment internship allows students to participatein several activities related to diagnosis and evaluation.Many students who are working full-time may be able tocomplete their first internship at the facility in which theywork if the agency and the program director formallyagree. Most of the available internship placements pro-vide a salary, and many are located in eastern NorthCarolina. Several other exciting paid internship place-ments in MR/DD are located throughout the country.More information concerning the variety of internshiplacements available can be obtained directly from thedirector of the MR/DD concentration.ThesisA thesis is required in the MR/DD concentration. It is arofessional research paper in which students will be re-quired to exhibit their research skills and ability to writean organized research report in the area of MR/DD.Many students elect to conduct single subject or smallgroup research utilizing behavioral research designsrather than more traditional experimental or quasi-experi-mental designs. Students present the completed thesis atan oral examination conducted by the thesis committee asthe last stage in the process.Other RequirementsComprehensive examinations covering the core courseareas as well as the MR/DD specialty are required of allstudents in the MR/DD concentration. These examina-tions are normally taken in the second year.A research skill requirement of not less than 3 semesterhours from certain areas determined by the departmentor from a foreign language must be met. Additional workin statistics or computer science is recommended if it hasnot already been taken as an elective. These semestercredit hours do not count toward the semester hours re-quired for the masterTs degree.Application and AdmissionAdmission to the general psychology program is contin-gent on meeting all requirements of the ECU GraduateSchool and being recommended by the graduate admis-sions committee of the Department of Psychology. Acompleted application will include a Graduate Schoolapplication; a Department of Psychology basic informa-tion sheet; GRE verbal, quantitative, and advanced test

scores; complete college transcripts; and a minimum oftwo letters of recommendation (at least one from a psy-chologist). Interviews are occasionally requested.A combination of GRE scores, grade point average, andreferences is used in making recommendations for admis-sion. Applicants should score above the fiftieth percentileon the GRE and have above a 3.0 GPA, both overall andin their major.The department requires that all graduate students have acommon core of undergraduate psychology courses insychological statistics, experimental psychology, learn-ing, personality, physiological psychology, and tests andmeasurements. Applicants are admitted with deficiencies,but those must be met by appropriate undergraduatecourse work. These courses will not count toward themasterTs degree. An undergraduate course in computerscience is also highly recommended.The admissions screening procedure begins March 15. Allapplication materials should be submitted prior to thisdate. Final decisions generally are sent out in April. Thegeneral program will accept applications after the March15 deadline, but spaces may be limited.For course sequencing, it is recommended that studentsbegin graduate work in the fall semester, but mid-yearadmissions are generally acceptable. Admissions for en-trance at other times should be discussed with the pro-gram chair.Financial SupportIn addition to the paid internship, research assistantshipsare available for applicants. A letter accompanying theapplication materials indicating the desire and basis forneeding financial assistance is considered an applicationfor an assistantship.Additional InformationAdditional information, including appointments for furtherdiscussion, can be obtained by contacting:William F. Grossnickle, PhDrofessor and Director, Graduate General ProgramDepartment of PsychologyEast Carolina UniversityRaw] BuildingGreenville, NC 27858-4353Telephone: 919-757-6634orJeannie Golden, PhDAssistant ProfessorDirector of Specialty Area in MR/DDDepartment of PsychologyEast Carolina UniversityRaw BuildingGreenville, NC 27858-4353Telephone: 919-757-6800East Carolina University is committed to equality of educational opportunity anddoes not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race, color,national origin, religion, sex, age, or handicap. Moreover, East Carolina University isopen to people of all races and actively seeks to promote racial integration by recruit-ing and enrolling a larger number of minority students. An equal opportunity /affir-mative action university, which accommodates the needs of individuals with disabili-ties.U.P. 93-104 2,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $178.98, or$.089 per copy.