Doctor of Behavioral Health
DBH 700. Residential: Orientation Doctoral Study. (W) 3 hours. Su., F., Sp.
This is the first of a series of courses designed to help prepare students in completing their Capstone Project. A required web-conference orientation to the D.B.H. degree. This course is a resource of information for students’ knowledge and engagement throughout the program. Students will participate in live and online discussion, progressive assignments, library research, and other structured activities and assignments. This course includes significant writing and research components focusing on the the development of understanding evidence-based scholarly literature research for an applied research project. Grade will be assigned.
DBH 705. Suffering and the Human Condition. 3 hours. Su.
An in-depth study of human suffering. Students will consider how to deal with personal suffering while helping others who suffer. Utilizing the Christian perspective, students will formulate a theology of suffering and create an integrative approach that will result in successful interventions with individuals and families who suffer.
DBH 710. Basis of Human Behavior. 3 hours. F.
An intense examination of human behavior. This course explorers a number of specific theories relevant to the biopsychosocial approach: part/whole analysis, psychodynamic theory, ecological/systems theory, cognitive/behavioral theory, and radical/critical theory. Since human development is a product of interaction between the individual, family, community, social institutions, and culture, the student will explore human behavior throughout the human life cycle, which will enable understanding, analyzing, and intervening in problems encountered in professional practice.
DBH 715. The United States Healthcare System. 3 hours. F.
An analysis of the U.S. healthcare system. This course explores the evolutionary track of the American healthcare delivery system since 1900. Specifically, the course explores healthcare terminology, the particular settings and entities providing American healthcare (hospitals, public and private health agencies, staffing, and payers), the government’s unique role, and ways in which the multi-faceted system is financed. Finally, the course will look at how delivery is managed for special populations, including behavioral health.
DBH 720. Advanced Research Methods. 3 hours. F., Sp.
This course is an advanced study of behavioral science research methods.This course is a comprehensive review of behavioral health research methods, ethical considerations, an understanding to the Institutional Review Board (IRB), and other aspects involved in quality research design. Students will continue to develop their understanding of the five chapters of the Capstone Project. This course builds on DBH 700 Residential: Orientation to Doctoral Study through continued development of the initiated scholarly literature review and project proposal processes. Grade will be assigned. Prerequisites: Fifty-one (51) completed hours including DBH 700 Residential: Orientation to Doctoral Study.
DBH 725. Advanced Clinical Ethical & Legal Issues. 3 hours. Sp.
A study of current clinical-legal issues surrounding ethical practice. This course focuses on the philosophical, ethical, legal, and moral elements of the professional in the behavioral healthcare system. The intent of this study is to help the professional navigate through the inevitable difficult choices that arise during the administration of behavioral healthcare. Topics to be explored include various ethical decision-making models, end of life issues, policies and procedures, organizational laws and ethics, various healthcare laws, patient consent, patient rights and responsibilities, as well as employee rights and responsibilities.
DBH 730. Advanced Clinical Psychopathology. 3 hours. F.
An advanced study of psychopathology. This course begins with an examination of current ethical, socio-cultural, and legal issues related to the classification and diagnosis of abnormal behavior. It is further designed to provide behavioral health practitioners with a deeper knowledge of the major categories of mental-emotional illness. Finally, the course will include the etiology, prevalence and incidence, signs and symptoms, and criteria of various disorders, (including advanced differential diagnosis), setting the stage for DBH 745 Evidence Based Treatment for Clinical Practice and DBH 750 Complementary and Integrative Behavioral Health Treatment Strategies.
DBH 735. Advanced Psychopharmacology. 3 hours. Su.
An advanced view of psychopharmacology. This course will better equip the behavioral healthcare provider with a current understanding of the extensive list of psychotropic medications. This course is geared toward those practitioners who routinely deal with patients needing medication and who collaborate with medical providers prescribing those psychotropic medications. Finally, the course provides readily available resources and listings of drug information, updates, side effects, drug interactions, and counter indications.
DBH 740. Behavioral Healthcare Executive Leaders. 3 hours. Su.
An analysis of executive leadership. This course examines various evidence-based concepts of leadership, as well as their theories and spheres of influence for the advanced behavioral healthcare leader. The ultimate goal of this course is to strengthen one’s leadership skills in the delivery of behavioral healthcare services. Course members will create missions and visions for their area in order to deliver excellence, make evidence based decisions, and become more culturally sensitive. Students will also have the opportunity to focus on the assessment and enhancement of their executive leadership skills and future career development.
DBH 745. Evidence Based Treatment Clinical Prac. 3 hours. Sp.
Conceptual framework for evidence based treatments. This course involves addressing common mishaps in practice, analysis of scientific findings, the seven step process of evidence based treatment protocol, case conceptualization, and best practices for the highest quality of care. This course will provide the practitioner with the advanced skills for making clinical judgments as well as understanding and integrating empirical evidence, patient preferences, and inter-professional perspectives for the best patient outcomes.
DBH 750. Comp/Int Behavior Health Treat Strategy. 3 hours. Sp.
An analysis of complementary and alternative treatments. This course moves clinical practitioners beyond their prior training, yet builds on their previous knowledge, theoretical orientation, and current practice(s). It provides an in-depth study of the more contemporary treatments, the lesser-known treatments, and even some of the controversial modalities used by many of today’s healthcare providers. The course rounds out its study with reviews of complementary and alternative medicinal approaches.
DBH 755. Integrate Behavior Health Med Settings. 3 hours. F.
A thorough study of integrated behavioral healthcare. This course will provide various models demonstrating a system of collaboration between behavioral healthcare providers and medical personnel. This course will emphasize a team model in the medical setting. Understanding and skill building in inter-professional communication, collaboration, and maintaining professional credibility, will be a major component of this course. This course includes a rotation within a medical setting.
DBH 760. Behavioral Healthcare Administration I. 3 hours. F.
Content will focus on behavioral healthcare administration. This course is designed to bridge the business knowledge gap that exists in most graduate level behavioral science programs. This course will prepare the behavioral health clinician to become a more insightful, skilled, and efficient organizational business manager within various behavioral health and medical settings.
DBH 765. Behavioral Healthcare Administration II. 3 hours. Sp.
A continuation of DBH 760. This course focuses on financial analysis and decision-making within modern business by providing theory, budgeting methods, risk analysis, and various other financial factors associated with business finance. Furthermore, this course focuses on understanding the various elements involved in creating a functional business plan for current practice/environment. Business plans will be submitted for evaluation using the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis technique.
DBH 770. Advanced Treatment Strat Addict Disorder. 3 hours. Sp.
In this course, a complete history of addition will be discussed along with advanced treatments for various addictions. Topics to be discussed include the use of opium by the ancient Sumerians to the recent epidemic of methamphetamine in the western world. There will be an emphasis on the origin of the drugs of abuse and the complex interaction between these drugs and their genetic, developmental, political, and social context in different eras. While this course will focus mainly on substance use disorders, time will also be spent on process addictions such as sexual addiction, compulsive gambling, and eating disorders. Particular attention will be given to the various treatment strategies of these addictions.
DBH 775. Behavioral Health Informatics. 3 hours. Sp.
An in-depth study of behavioral health informatics. This course will identify the historical impact of, current trends in, and future possibilities of technology within behavioral health. Students will gain advanced knowledge in ethical principles related to the application of technology within behavioral health. Students will also enhance their ability to lead an organization in improving behavioral healthcare practice based upon healthcare data.
DBH 780. Advanced Diagnosis & Treatment Planning. 3 hours. Su.
An advanced techniques course regarding diagnosis and treatment planning. This advanced course focuses on application of knowledge and skills in the assessment/diagnosis and treatment planning process. Furthermore, this course provides an opportunity for students to make an intensive study/analysis of selected patient/client cases. Finally, this course supports students in refining their therapeutic skill set for utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the International Classification of Diseases for integrative case conceptualization.
DBH 785. Behavioral Health and Wellness. 3 hours. Su.
A thorough study of behavioral health and wellness. This rigorous course teaches the doctoral behavioral healthcare practitioner about developing leadership related to today’s most prominent health issues. These include how lifestyle choices impact health (and lives) over time, current health and wellness information, how to develop programs, and strategies and skills for creating motivation and managing change. This course will utilize insight from the other disciplines of health, biology, psychology, sociology, counseling, and theology to frame a holistic approach to healthy living over a lifetime.
DBH 790A. Doctoral Capstone Project A. 2 hours. Su., F., Sp.
This is the first of a series of courses that further facilitates students toward the fulfillment of their Capstone Project. This course involves independent student-led work towards the fulfillment of the Capstone Project with recommendations and direction by the instructor with specific emphasis on the expansion and cohesion of the literature review and research designs. (Students must obtain committee approval of their literature review before moving into DBH790B.) Grading is "pass/fail." Prerequisites: DBH 720 Advanced Research Methods AND permission from the instructor.
DBH 790B. Doctoral Capstone Project B. 2 hours. Su., F., Sp.
This is the second of a series of courses that further facilitates students toward the fulfillment of the their Capstone Project. This course involves continued independent student-led work towards the fulfillment of the Capstone Project with recommendations and direction by the instructor. Ideally, the course carries specific emphasis on methodology, gaining IRB approval, and data collection as guided by the content of the literature review. (IRB approval must be obtained before moving into DBH790C.) Grading is "pass/fail." Prerequisites: DBH790A Doctoral Capstone Project A AND permission from the instructor.
DBH 790C. Doctoral Capstone Project C. 2 hours. Su., F., Sp.
This is the third of a series of course that further facilitates students toward the fulfillment of their Capstone Project, culminating in finalizing their findings, writing their conclusions, and successfully completing an oral presentation of their project. This course involves continued independent student-led work towards the fulfillment of the Capstone Project with recommendations and direction by the instructor. Grading is "pass/fail." Prerequisites: DBH790A Doctoral Capstone Project A, DBH790B Doctoral Capstone Project B, AND permission from the instructor.
DBH 790D. Extension of Doctoral Capstone Project D. 1 hour. Su., F., Sp.
This course is designed for doctoral candidates who have not met the criteria necessary to pass DBH 790A Doctoral Capstone Project A, DBH 790B Doctoral Capstone Project B, or DBH 790C Doctoral Capstone Project C, but who desire to continue to work the process to complete their Capstone Project. The D.B.H. student must continually register for DBH 790D within each academic term (summer, fall, and spring) until criteria are met to successfully complete each level of the process. Prerequisite: Prior registration of DBH 790A Doctoral Capstone Project A, DBH 790B Doctoral Capstone Project B, or DBH 790C Doctoral Capstone Project C.