Psychopharmacology Coursework

The program curriculum requires 450 hours, including 432 hours of classroom instruction, with an additional 18-hour home study review course for the PEP (Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists). The curriculum is designed with the rigor and breadth necessary to train professionals in psychopharmacology. At the same time, it focuses on issues central to the clinical demands and interests of practicing psychologists.

We are continuously reviewing our curriculum and we incorporate updates to the curriculum in order to keep pace with developing legislative requirements for prescriptive authority. The program is comprised of the following courses:

Clinical Biochemistry (24 contact hours, 1.6 units)
This course presents an overview of biochemistry required to understand the chemical basis of physiological processes. Since students are assumed to have diverse backgrounds of course work in chemistry, the course includes a review of basic inorganic and organic chemistry necessary for the study of biochemistry. Lecture topics include cellular organization and metabolism, protein structure and function, hemoglobin and blood buffers, enzyme action, fuel metabolism, hormone regulation of metabolism, nutrition, and information transfer by nucleic acids.

Neurosciences (84 total contact hours, 5.6 units - includes Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology and Neurochemistry, described below)

• Neurochemistry (24 contact hours, 1.6 units): This course covers the major neurotransmitter systems: acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, amino acid neurotransmitters and opioid neuropeptides. Neuroendocrine systems are also explored with particular attention to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. For each neurotransmitter system, lectures detail the following topics: anatomical distribution, synthesis, inactivation, synaptic specializations, pharmacology of specific receptor subtypes, second messenger systems and associated behavioral roles.
• Neurophysiology (24 contact hours, 1.6 units): Topics include: membrane physiology, action potential conduction, neural integration, post synaptic potentials, synaptic transmission, receptor physiology, sensory systems, motor systems, neural basis of sleep and arousal behavior, right/left cerebral hemispheric specialization, learning and memory, and neuroendocrinology.
• Neuroanatomy/Neuropathology (36 contact hours, 2.4 units): This course covers the structure, function, and common pathologies of the nervous system. Lecture topics include gross anatomy of both the central and peripheral nervous systems, including developmental neuroanatomy. Topics in neuropathology include dementia, delirium, and other cognitive disorders; movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Tourette's diseases); vascular disorders; seizure disorders; traumatic brain injury; other pathologies of the nervous system (e.g., multiple sclerosis, infectious diseases, neoplasms); and extrapyramidal dysfunction (e.g., dystonic reactions and tardive dyskinesia).

Clinical Medicine/Pathophysiology (60 contact hours, 4 units)
This course includes normal anatomy and physiological processes, but emphasizes the clinical characteristics of diseases in all major systems, and how these diseases and their treatments affect psychological symptoms. Specific attention is given to how alterations in cardiovascular, hepatic, gastrointestinal, neural, renal, and endocrine functions affect bioavailability and biodisposition of drugs. Variability in response due to age, gender, ethnicity and medical condition is addressed.

Physical Assessment (36 contact hours, 2.4 units)
Familiarizes students with the components of a physical exam and those physical symptoms likely to be affected by administration of psychoactive compounds. Signs and symptoms of physical illness with psychological sequelae are emphasized. Topics include neurological examination, patient history, neurophysiological tests (EMG, EEG, EKG) blood chemistry, urinalysis, and radiology. Students are introduced to neuroimaging reviews, including CT, MRI, and PET. In addition, students are exposed to conceptualizing physical symptoms in terms of body systems and the mind-body interactive relationship, and to integrate their existing skills as clinical psychologists.

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology (60 contact hours, 4 units)
Lecture topics include pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, including the pharmacological effects of drugs, their mechanisms of actions, side effects, therapeutic applications, and drug-drug interactions. All major classes of drugs are discussed, emphasizing their interactions with psychopharamacological agents. The pharmacological mechanisms of action of each major class of psychotropics will be discussed. Variability related to age, gender, ethnicity and medical condition is also addressed.

Psychopharmacology (48 total contact hours, 3.2 units - includes Antidepressants, Anxiolytics, Antipsychotics, Mood Stabilizers/Drug-Drug Interactions)
This course covers the clinical application of the principles of pharmacology and clinical pharmacology to treatment of mental disorders. All major classes of psychotropics are presented, including: antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, sedative hypnotics, antimanics and mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants and atypical medications. Presentation of each drug class includes indications for use, diagnostic considerations, historical perspectives, mechanisms of action, side effects, toxic effects, specific laboratory and physiological assessments pertinent to their use, and drug-drug interactions. Discussion of each drug class includes attention to psychological and neurological effects of each agent and the potential for drug interactions between multiple pharmacological agents and with non-prescribed substances. Herbal preparations and other nontraditional treatments are also discussed. Special attention will be given to psychopharmacology of trauma, and to the implications of trauma to psychopharmacology of personality disorders, including BPD.

• Antidepressants (12 contact hours, .8 units)
• Anxiolytics (12 contact hours, .8 units)
• Antipsychotics (12 contact hours, .8 units)
• Mood Stabilizers and Drug/Drug Interactions (12 contact hours, .8 units)

Special Populations in Psychopharmacology (60 total contact hours, 4.0 units – includes Child/Adolescent Psychopharmacology, Gender Issues, Geriatric Psychopharmacology/Chronic Pain, PTSD/Borderline Personality/Chronic Medical Conditions, and Ethnopsychopharmacology, described below.)

• Special Populations 1: Child/Adolescent Psychopharmacology (12 contact hours, .8 units): This course reviews current medications used in the treatment off behavior disorders and mental illness in children and adolescents. Designed for psychologists, differential diagnostic issues are emphasized in determining if, when and what medication is appropriate in combination with psychotherapy.
• Special Populations 1: Gender Issues (12 contact hours, .8 units): This course explores in detail a range of issues related to women and psychopharmacology including gender differences in prescribing, PMDD, pregnancy and lactation. Topics include gender differences in pharmacokinetics, hormonal considerations for prescribing, post-partum period, breastfeeding, menopause and sociocultural issues.
• Special Populations 1: Geriatric Psychopharmacology/Chronic Pain (12 contact hours, .8 units): Day one of this course focuses on the safe and efficacious use of psychotropic medications in the geriatric population, including antidepressant, antipsychotic, sedative-hypnotic and mood stabilizer medications. Day two focuses on treatment of chronic pain, including treatment approaches for various pain problems, the analgesic properties of psychotropic medications, adverse drug reactions and the use of laboratory studies associated with using this class of medications in chronic pain. This course requires completion of the neurophysiology, neuroanatomy and psychopharmacology segments of the program and should be considered advanced.
• Special Populations 2: PTSD/Borderline Personality/Chronic Medical Conditions (12 contact hours, .8 units): Chronic illness and serious diseases are frequently accompanied by psychological symptoms and increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders secondary to the medical conditions. Given an aging population that is increasingly vulnerable to chronic disease, it is recommended that psychologists being trained in psychopharmacology be familiar with the interaction of the most common types of chronic illness and psychoactive medications. The PTSD and borderline personality population has, historically, been considered notoriously difficult to treat. Certain classes of medications, found to be effective with simple PTSD, have been also found to be efficacious in the treatment of BPD. This course presents a symptom-specific method using current empiric evidence for drug efficacy in each symptom domain.
• Special Populations 2: Ethnopsychopharmacology (12 contact hours, .8 units): This course covers individual and cross-ethnic variations in drug responses, including the biologicalethnic-genetic factors most likely to affect metabolism of psychotropics; nonbiological/socio-cultural issues; and issues of cultural sensitivity, including unique cultural healing practices.

Chemical Dependence (12 contact hours, .8 units)
Lectures cover major classes of substance abuse, including alcohol, opiates, stimulants, hallucinogens, marijuana, PCP, inhalants, caffeine, nicotine, designer drugs and prescription medications. Topics include the biological and behavioral bases of addiction, tolerance, withdrawal, the pharmacotherapy of chemical dependency and the pharmacotherapy of dual diagnosis conditions.

Pharmacotherapeutics (36 total contact hours, 2.4 units - includes Research Issues in Psychopharmacology, Professional, Ethical and Legal Issues, and Integrating Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapy, described below.)

• Research Issues in Psychopharmacology (12 contact hours, .8 units): Students learn how to evaluate current psychopharmacology research, and how to access information electronically to keep their professional knowledge up-to-date.
• Professional, Ethical and Legal Issues (12 contact hours, .8 units): Lectures and discussion relate to scope of practice limitations, consultation and referral, and knowledge of ethical codes and standards as they pertain to pharmacological practice. Students learn psychopharmacology practice guidelines and standards of care for prescribing psychotropic medications and for issues of confidentiality, informed consent, refusing treatment, legal restrictions, boundaries of competence and the need to maintain current knowledge. Professional issues include the ethics of interactions with pharmaceutical companies, and how to practice psychopharmacology in a culturally aware manner.
• Integrating Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapy (12 contact hours, .8 units): This course focuses on the integration of psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. Topics include: when to initiate pharmacotherapy, enhancement of adherence, ongoing assessment, patient education, long-term benefits and side effects, and determining when to discontinue pharmacotherapy. Use of pharmacotherapy with higher risk clinical populations is discussed, including suicidal patients and dual diagnosis patients.

Case Seminar (12 contact hours, .8 units)
Integrates coursework on Clinical Medicine/Pathophysiology, Physical Examination/ Laboratory Assessment, and Psychopharmacology/Special Populations. Case examples are presented that illustrate how to apply this knowledge base when patients present with different combinations of physical and psychological symptomatology.

Review Course for the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP)
This home study review course is designed for psychologists who have completed a postdoctoral program in psychopharmacology. Course materials include video presentations, 400 pages of written notes from slides and readings, and practice exams. All ten content areas identified in the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP) study guide are covered. No academic credit is given for this course. Students receive 18 hours of continuing education credit upon submitting the 150 item practice exam included in the course materials, with a score of 80% or above.