STUDENT MANUAL
Postdoctoral
M.S. Program in Clinical
Psychopharmacology
June 2014
Student Manual
M.S. Program in Clinical Psychopharmacology
We are pleased to welcome you to Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Postdoctoral M.S. Program in
Clinical Psychopharmacology. Enhancing psychologists’ understanding of psychotropic medications,
whether in the context of collaborative or independent practice, is part of the next step in the evolution
of psychology as a health-related profession. By joining this program you are contributing not only to
the welfare of your patients, but also to the future of professional psychology.
With that in mind, this Manual is intended to address two issues. First, it will provide you with the
information you need to know about coping effectively with this program. We have learned a great deal
about how to make the most of distance-based learning, including how best to deal with the technology
involved, and how to maximize learning. You will find such tips throughout this manual. Please read
this information, and keep this Manual as a reference in case you have problems or questions in the
future. Second, this Manual outlines your rights and responsibilities as a student of Fairleigh Dickinson
University. Please read the section titled Program Policies for a summary of these rights and
responsibilities.
It is expected that all psychologists in the program, whether students, faculty, or administrators, will
comply with the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct of the American
Psychological Association
www.apa.org/ethics/code/code.pdf
in their behaviors towards each other and members of the public with whom they interact as a result of
their participation in this program. If at any time you observe behavior you believe to be unethical, you
should address it in a manner consistent with those principles. Program participants who are members of
other disciplines are bound by the parallel expectations for members of your profession.
We hope you will enjoy your experiences in the M.S. Program in Clinical Psychopharmacology. Please
do not hesitate to contact us with your questions or suggestions for improvement. By working together,
we can continue to make this program the best of its kind in the country. We look forward to working
with you as you enhance your knowledge and skills in medication management.
Sincerely,
Robert McGrath, Ph.D.
Professor and Director, M.S. Program in Clinical Psychopharmacology
School of Psychology, Fairleigh Dickinson University
mcgrath@fdu.edu
©2013 Fairleigh Dickinson University
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview of the Program .................................................................................................. 4
Curriculum Plan ................................................................................................................ 7
People to Know ................................................................................................................... 9
Technical Guide................................................................................................................ 11
Learning Activities ........................................................................................................... 20
Program Policies .............................................................................................................. 29
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OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM
The Postdoctoral M.S. Program in Clinical Psychopharmacology is designed to provide psychologists
and other health care professionals the knowledge required to prepare them for the clinical application
of psychopharmacology as it relates to collaborative practice and the potential prescription of
psychotropic medications. This program provides the educational foundation and elective clinical
experiences as outlined in the American Psychological Association’s model curriculum for postdoctoral
training psychologists in psychopharmacology, available at
www.apa.org/about/policy/rxp-model-curriculum.pdf
The FDU program has been Designated by the APA as consistent with that model curriculum, one of
only three programs in the country that has achieved this distinction.
The program consists of up to five components. The first two are mandatory, the final three are optional.
They are:
1. The 10-course didactic sequence (required for the master’s degree)
2. The qualifying examination (required for the master’s degree)
3. The clinical laboratory/PEP prep (optional; completed near the end of the didactic program)
4. The clinical practicum (optional; begun near the end of the didactic program)
5. The capstone experience (optional; occurs at the end of the clinical practicum)
The Didactic Sequence
The didactic sequence consists of 10 courses delivered in five 15-week semesters over two years.
Courses run consecutively rather than concurrently, so within a semester each course is completed in 7.5
weeks, with two 7.5-week courses per semester. Each course is approved for 45 continuing professional
education credits for psychologists, and 3 graduate academic credits. The School of Psychology is
approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to offer continuing education for
psychologists. Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Psychology maintains responsibility for the
program.
The courses were specifically designed for psychologists seeking to expand their knowledge of
psychopharmacology. A sequence of core courses provides the basic science foundation and knowledge
base in pathophysiology, neuroscience, and pharmacology for clinical applications. A professional
issues course addresses the legal and ethical considerations and related standard of care topics. The
didactic program concludes with a series of treatment courses addressing specific categories of mental
disorders and the related pharmacological issues. These courses provide psychologists with important
knowledge of the treatment of mental disorders with medication. A detailed description of each course
is provided in the next section, Curriculum Plan.
During your last semester of the program, you should submit a Declaration to Graduate Form, which
informs the University you anticipate completion of the program in the near future. This initiates a
records review so that once you have completed all remaining program requirements you can be cleared
to graduate. A link to the Declaration to Graduate Form is available through the Program Documents
page on our website,
www.rxpsychology.com/Documents/Program_Documents.htm
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The Qualifying Examination
After completing the didactic sequence, students must complete a qualifying examination before they
are eligible to graduate. There are two options for this exit requirement. Twice each year we offer a
qualifying examination online. This exam consists of 100 questions and you must complete it within 2.5
hours. Second, you can complete the APA Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP).
The PEP has a cost associated with it, but passage of the PEP is expected to represent a requirement for
licensure as a prescribing psychologist in most states. The PEP is offered by the APA College of
Professional Psychology. You can find more information about the PEP at
www.apapracticecentral.org/ce/courses/application.aspx
There is also a link to this page from the Program Documents page on our website,
www.rxpsychology.com/Documents/Program_Documents.htm
The Program Documents page also has more information about the qualifying exam.
Once the qualifying exam is passed, either our online exam or the PEP, you have completed all
requirements for the degree Postdoctoral Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Psychopharmacology. At
this point, you are eligible to participate in the optional components of the program (though the clinical
laboratory/PEP prep and practicum can overlap with your final semester in the program).
The Clinical Laboratory/PEP Prep
This is the only component of the program that involves a face-to-face meeting. It is scheduled for a
location that is fair for the class as a whole. Each year, we schedule a five-day clinical laboratory,
followed by a two-day PEP prep session (which is also appropriate to the in-house qualifying exam).
The clinical laboratory is a necessary part of the practicum, discussed next. Each year, you will receive
an announcement of the clinical laboratory, but it is only expected that students in the final year of the
program will participate, and it is only required for students who want to complete the optional
practicum. More details about the clinical laboratory may be found in our Supervised Clinical
Experience manual, which can be accessed at the Program Documents page on our website,
www.rxpsychology.com/Documents/Program_Documents.htm
The Practicum
The APA model curriculum, the military, and most bills that have been submitted at the state level
authorizing psychologists to prescribe all call for the completion of a supervised clinical experience as
part of the training. Students seeking prescriptive authority in Louisiana do not have this requirement.
The supervised clinical experience includes supervised evaluation of cases for medication. If you want
us to monitor your involvement in this supervised experience, you will enroll in the course PSYC7960
Practicum. Because our role in this course is just monitoring of progress, it is a pass/fail course worth 0
credits, and you pay a fee (approximately $500) rather than tuition. Participants must identify and make
arrangements for a clinical supervisor with independent prescriptive authority (M.D., D.O., or
prescribing psychologist) to be approved by Fairleigh Dickinson University. In some cases we can assist
in the identifying a supervisor, but we cannot guarantee a supervisor.
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As defined by the APA model curriculum, the practicum must include at least 100 supervised patients
and span at least two semesters. If an authorizing entity such as a state legislature has established its
own conditions for the practicum, those conditions will supersede the APA guidelines. Even after the
100-patient criterion is met, participants may elect to continue participating in the practicum. More
details about the practicum are available in our Supervised Clinical Experience manual, which can be
accessed at the Program Documents page on our website,
www.rxpsychology.com/Documents/Program_Documents.htm
The Capstone Experience
The APA model curriculum calls for a capstone experience at the end of the supervised clinical
experience. We cannot provide a certificate of completion of the APA model curriculum without
completion of the capstone experience, but we can confirm completion of the practicum for legal
reasons (e.g., pursuit of licensure as a prescriber) without the capstone.
The capstone is a two-hour oral examination covering case formulation, treatment planning, and other
elements of the supervised clinical experience. More details may be found in our Supervised Clinical
Experience manual, which can be accessed at the Program Documents page on our website,
www.rxpsychology.com/Documents/Program_Documents.htm
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CURRICULUM PLAN
It is expected that students will complete courses in the following sequence. However, modifications of
the schedule are permitted in light of programmatic and student needs.
Courses 1 and 2 (PSYC7910/7915): Biological Foundations of Clinical
Psychopharmacology I and II (7.5 Weeks Each)
These courses present an integrated approach to the study of primary body systems (respiratory,
cardiovascular, renal, hematologic/immunologic, gastrointestinal, hepatic, endocrine, reproductive,
musculoskeletal, and dermatologic) that correlates fundamental knowledge of the anatomy, physiology
and pathophysiology of a specific body system with the clinical applications (health assessment,
physical examination, laboratory assessment, and differential diagnosis) pertaining to that system.
Exploration of clinical medicine concepts will utilize a problem-solving approach. The goals of these
two courses are to enhance the student’s recognition of signs and symptoms of medical conditions
requiring collaboration with and referral to other health professionals and to provide knowledge about
the psychological, biological and medical correlates of disease. Medical sequelae of psychotropic agents
and familiarity with standard medical treatment of common disease states are addressed. Each course is
approved for 45 CE Credits for Psychologists and 3 graduate academic credits.
Course 3 (PSYC7920): Neuroscience (7.5 Weeks)
This course focuses on the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, beginning at the cellular
level. Knowledge of principles of neurochemistry, neuroendocrinology and neuropathology will serve
as a foundation for the understanding of neurotransmitter systems and their role in the etiology and
treatment of mental disorders. This course is approved for 45 CE Credits for Psychologists and 3
graduate academic credits.
Course 4 (PSYC7925): Neuropharmacology (7.5 weeks)
This course introduces the knowledge base pertaining to pharmacology and psychopharmacology. It
includes continued study of neurotransmitter systems and other factors in the psychopharmacological
treatment of mental disorders, as well as an introduction to classes of psychotropic medications. This
course is approved for 45 CE Credits for Psychologists and 3 graduate academic credits.
Course 5 (PSYC7930): Clinical Pharmacology (7.5 weeks)
This course presents major classes of drugs (excluding psychotropics) and their uses in clinical settings.
It includes an examination of the social, cultural and behavioral aspects of prescribing medications.
Issues of epidemiology, the drug approval process, and pharmacogenomics are also addressed. This
course is approved for 45 CE Credits for Psychologists and 3 graduate academic credits.
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Course 6 (PSYC7935): Professional Issues and Practice Management (7.5 weeks)
This course reviews issues in prescribing from the perspective of a professional healthcare provider.
Legal and ethical issues, as well as standards of care ranging from informed consent to documentation,
are addressed. Interprofessional relationships and aspects of collaborative practice, as well as practice
enhancement strategies such as computer-based aids, will provide learners with a solid foundation for
the continued integration of psychopharmacology into their practices. An introduction to the critical
evaluation of pharmacological research is also provided. This course is approved for 45 CE Credits for
Psychologists and 3 graduate academic credits.
Courses 7-10: Treatment Issues in Clinical Psychopharmacology (7.5 weeks each)
This treatment-focused series of sessions provides students with access to virtual practicum experiences
through didactic information and case studies addressing specific categories of mental disorders. Each
case addresses the following: diagnosis/differential diagnosis; etiology/biological basis of disorder;
psychopharmacological treatment options, including mechanism of action, side effects, adverse
reactions, polypharmacy, drug interaction, and patient education. The integration of treatment strategies
as well as the empirical basis for treatments is presented. Disorders covered will include the mood
disorders, psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders, cognitive disorders, substance abuse and chemical
dependency, chronic pain, disorders of childhood/adolescence, as well as others. Each course is
approved for 45 CE Credits for Psychologists and 3 graduate academic credits.
Course 7 (PSYC7940): Affective Disorders
Course 8 (PSYC7945): Psychotic Disorders
Course 9 (PSYC7950): Anxiety Disorders
Course 10 (PSYC7955): Other Disorders
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PEOPLE TO KNOW
Administration
Academic Director
Robert McGrath, Ph.D.
School of Psychology T-WH1-01
Fairleigh Dickinson University
1000 River Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666
Phone: 201-692-2300
Fax: 201-692-2304
E-mail: mcgrath@fdu.edu
The Academic Director is responsible for oversight of the program both academically and technically.
Any issues or concerns about the Instructor, about the program in general, or about on-going problems
should be brought to the attention of the Academic Director.
Administrative Assistant
Maria Kaljaj
School of Psychology T-WH1-01
Fairleigh Dickinson University
1000 River Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666
Phone: 866-247-2411/201-692-2301
Fax: 201-692-2304
E-mail: mkaljaj@fdu.edu
The Administrative Assistant works closely with the Academic Director, and is responsible for
logistical management of the program.
Instructors
The Instructor works with the Academic Director to develop the course syllabus, schedule, and
materials, and conducts the course. Issues having to do with specific course content, examinations, or
requests for extensions should be addressed with the Instructor.
Expert Presenters
Expert Presenters are responsible for developing and taping content presentations on areas defined by
the Instructor and in accordance with the Learning Objectives for each module. They generally have no
further involvement in the program.
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24/7 Technical Support
FDU Technical Assistance Center (FDUTAC)
Phone: 973-443-8822
E-mail: help@fdu.edu
Student Services
Financial Aid
Phone: 201-692-2363
Enrollment Services
For questions about enrollment, accounts, and records
Phone: 201-692-2214
Office of Veterans Services
Phone: 201-692-7085
E-mail: ariel_j_luna@fdu.edu
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TECHNICAL GUIDE
This section provides the details of participating in the M.S. Program. If some of the technical
computer information is over your head, please don't ignore it. It is important and useful information.
Contact the Academic Director and ask for help.
Getting Your Computer Ready
The following are bare minimum technology requirements for participation in the program.
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Desktop or laptop computer capable of storing and running video files
Computer speakers
Broadband Internet access
Email address
Internet browser with Java plugin
Media player capable of running MP3 and MP4 files (e.g., iTunes, QuickTime, Windows Media
Player)
Software to view PDF and powerpoint files
Word processing software
We strongly recommend you follow safe computing practices while participating in the program, so you
don’t find yourself with a dysfunctional computer system in the middle of your courses!
1. Install an anti-virus program and keep it updated! Make sure your virus definitions update
automatically. Some free options: Avira Antivir Personal, AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, Avast!
Free Antivirus, and Microsoft Security Essentials.
2. Regularly check for spyware on your system. This is a different problem than viruses, as spyware is
normal software that is downloaded to your computer by sneaky websites. Free options: Microsoft
Defender , Spybot, and Lavasoft Ad-Aware.
3. Set your computer to download critical updates to your operating system automatically.
4. Make sure a personal firewall is working on your computer to prevent hackers from accessing it.
Webmail
Creating a Webmail Account
Webmail is the University email system. You MUST create a webmail account to participate in the
program. Go to
webmail.fdu.edu
and click on Create New Account. Some information that will help you in this process:
 You are a student on the Metro or Teaneck campus.
 You can get your student ID number from the Administrative Assistant
 Be sure to use a four-digit birth year.
 Do not use hyphens if you enter your Social Security number.
 All information must be entered exactly as it appears in your application.
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If you are having trouble being validated, technical support can be obtained by telephone at 973443-8822 and by email to help@fdu.edu. It is possible that information was entered incorrectly, for
example.
Once created, email can be addressed either to your Primary Email Address (e.g.
albert_einstein@student.fdu.edu) or your Login Name (e.g. einstein@student.fdu.edu). However, to
access University websites you must use your Login Name.
Using Webmail
All mail sent to you from the webcampus website and FDU will go to your webmail account, so it
is important you check it regularly.
There are three methods available for accessing your webmail account:
1. Using any web browser you can access your mail at
webmail.fdu.edu
Advantages: This method requires no additional setup once your email account is created, and your
mail is available from any Internet-connected computer.
Disadvantages: You have to remember to go to webmail.fdu.edu regularly and check for mail.
2. You can set webmail to forward any email from your webmail account automatically to your
personal email account. Instructions for doing so may be found at
webdocs.fdu.edu/accounts/rules.html
Advantage: All email will show up where you regularly access your email.
Disadvantage: The only (relatively minor) disadvantage is that you will not be able to identify
immediately what mail is coming from your webmail account and what mail is coming from your
personal non-FDU email account.
3. You can set your current email client (Outlook, Outlook Express, Pegasus, Netscape, or
Thunderbird) to download webmail automatically at the same time it downloads your other email
accounts. Instructions for doing so may be found at
webdocs.fdu.edu/about/support.html
Hover your mouse over “Email Clients,” then hover over “Configuring your email program,” then
choose the client you use.
Advantages: All email will show up where you regularly access your email.
Disadvantage: This option requires some technical knowledge to set up, but the instructions are
thorough.
Getting Help with Webmail
Your first option is the Need Assistance link at
webmail.fdu.edu
Additional technical support from the FDU Technical Assistance Center can be obtained by telephone at
973-443-8822 and by email at help@fdu.edu.
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Program Websites
There are four websites you will potentially access while a student at FDU. The first two are essential to
participation in the program; the last two are helpful in certain situations:
1. www.rxpsychology.com: To access key course materials
2. webcampus.fdu.edu: To access course websites
3. webadvisor.fdu.edu: To access personal records as a student
4. www.fdu.edu: To access University services
Rxpsychology.com
You are probably already familiar with the website
www.rxpsychology.com
since this is probably where you learned about the program and downloaded the application. This
website serves a different purpose once you’re in the program. Key materials we want to make available
before the beginning of the semester can be accessed through pages at this website. For each course,
there is a page at the rxpsychology website that can be used to obtain the course syllabus, course videos,
powerpoints of the videos, and a transcript of the video. These pages follow the same template:
www.rxpsychology.com/PSYC79xx/PSYC79xx.htm
Simply replace the xx with the last two digits of the course number. For example, if you want to access
these materials for the course PSYC7910, the web page is
www.rxpsychology.com/PSYC7910/PSYC7910.htm
In addition to course pages, there is also a webpage for program documents mentioned earlier:
http://www.rxpsychology.com/Documents/Program_Documents.htm
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On that page you will find the following materials:
 Links to several key documents or sites
 Guidelines for the FDU Supervised Clinical Experience
 Declaration to Graduate Form: You must submit this form to the University to receive the master’s
degree
 The current version of this manual
 Information about the qualifying exam
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Webcampus
The University creates a website for each course in the program. These are accessed through
webcampus.fdu.edu
You will need your webmail user name and password to log in (the red arrow). To the right you’ll notice
a chart listing browsers that are compatible with webcampus (the blue arrow).
Once you enter webcampus, you’re at the My FDU screen. A list of courses in which you’re enrolled
appears in the My Courses box. Unlike the figure that follows, your My Courses box may not be right at
the top; you may need to scroll down to reach it.
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If you click on the link to a course in the My Courses box, you are brought to the Announcements page
for the course website. This is where the Instructor can provide messages about the course. Notice to the
left is a menu with listings such as Announcements, Course Documents, Chats, Assignments, and so
forth. This menu allows you to access each element of the course.
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Webcampus is built using a piece of software called Blackboard. The following summarizes the
Blackboard tools you need to know:
1. Announcements: Again, the Instructor (and sometimes the Academic Director) will use
announcements to communicate with you as a class.
2. Course Documents: Course materials not provided through rxpsychology.com will appear here. This
usually includes articles and other materials the Instructor wants to share with you over the course of
the semester.
3. Chats: An important part of our program is the use of chats. Chats will be discussed in much more
detail in the section on Learning Activities.
4. Assignments: You will use this link to access course exams and the satisfaction survey completed at
the end of each course or set of courses.
5. Discussions: Instructors and students have the option of communicating through Discussion Boards.
These are not extensively used in this program but are available for use.
6. Course Information: This usually just repeats information from the course syllabus.
7. Faculty Information: This page usually has a little more information about your Instructor, including
his or her picture.
8. Email: You can contact any participant in the course through their webmail account from this page.
Blackboard is the dominant software for course management, so if you have questions about it, you can
often search for the topic online and get the answer.
Problems with Webcampus
Ideally, distance learning makes the learning process more flexible. Unfortunately, the state of the web
is still such that connection problems are all too frequent. Every time you access the program websites,
a complex interaction occurs between your computer, your Internet Service Provider, FDU servers, and
servers hosted by various vendors to the University. Problems will happen.
Those problems can be particularly irritating when you have a deadline and only a certain amount of
time in your schedule to get it done, or you're supposed to be participating in a chat. Here are some steps
to follow:
1. First, make sure it’s a problem with the FDU website. Try to access another website to make sure
it’s not a problem with your Internet provider or the network in general.
2. Try a different browser. Sometimes a different browser will solve the problem.
3. If you’ve verified it’s a problem with the FDU system and changing browsers doesn’t help, you can
contact the Academic Director to see whether this is a recurring problem.
4. You can also try FDU Technical Support at 973-443-8822 or help@fdu.edu. However, they often
are unable to offer an immediate fix.
5. If you've made a good faith effort to get something done and reasonable efforts are not
working, PLEASE don't waste your time. If there’s a deadline, let your Instructor know and we
will make other arrangements.
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Webadvisor
Webadvisor.fdu.edu is a separate system that allows you to track your progress in the program at
webadvisor.fdu.edu. This is the University’s enrollment management system, so you can see what
courses have been completed and the grades for each. If you apply to take the PEP, which requires
submission of a transcript, the manager of the PEP is aware of this website and will accept a
downloaded copy of your records from this website in lieu of a formal transcript. This option reduces
both your cost and delay.
Note you will have to create a separate log in identity to access webadvisor. To request an account, send
an email from your webmail account to webadvisoradmin@fdu.edu. This email MUST come from your
webmail account. Also, webadvisor intermittently requires that you update your password.
FDU.edu
The University website has a great deal of information concerning University policies and procedures,
as well as contact information for any offices or personnel. A particularly useful resource is access to
the University’s complete electronic library resources, which you can access from the WEB
SHORTCUTS dropdown menu on the FDU home page.
All electronic materials can be accessed with your webmail address and password. There are several
resources you may find helpful.
 Internet databases: The University offers a number of databases electronically, including PsycINFO
and the Cochrane Library; click on FDU Online Library for a list.
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Electronic journals: Most of the University’s journals are available electronically, including all
journals published by APA and many leading psychiatric journals. Click on Journal Locator to
search for journals available to your electronically.
Search Library Catalog can be used to search the card catalog of books at FDU and at several
other New Jersey institutions. This would probably be most useful to those of you who can get to
campus, but the library increasingly purchases books in electronic form that can be accessed
remotely.
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LEARNING ACTIVITIES
This section provides all the information you need to know about learning activities in the courses and
how to work with them effectively.
Video Lectures
The location for the video lectures and associated transcripts and powerpoints was discussed above in
the section on Rxpsychology.com. Lectures are stored in MP3 (audio) or MP4 (video) files. You have
several options for accessing the videos:
 You can click on the video lecture link online and play it through your browser. This assumes a fast
and stable Internet connection.
 You can right-click (on a Windows computer) or Ctrl-click (on a Mac) on the link and save it to
your hard drive. On average, there is about 4GB of video material per course.
 You can request a flash drive be sent to you in the mail with all videos for that year at a cost of $50.
However, Instructors reserve the right to update videos at any time.
Any media player should be able to play these files, including tablets, smart phones, and iPods. If you
back up video files to CD, it is always recommended that you copy the files from the CD to your hard
disk before viewing. This is particularly important on systems with slower CD drives.
Transcripts of all videos are also available for download. Though we have made some effort to ensure
consistency between the transcript and the video, we cannot guarantee perfect agreement. Please keep
this in mind when using the transcripts. In all cases of inconsistencies, the video is the standard.
Readings
Readings include sections from textbooks, web pages, or journal articles. All readings will be listed in
your course syllabus, available from the course page at rxpsychology.com. For copyright reasons,
journal articles will be available for download in the webcampus course website on the Documents
page.
The syllabus will also provide you with the list of texts for the course. We do not order books through
the FDU bookstore. In terms of costs you’re better off going to one of the large online sites. You will
often find earlier editions of the texts available at a substantial cost savings. If you decide to purchase
an earlier edition of the text, be aware that Instructors list reading assignments and prepare exams using
the current edition.
Chat Sessions
Technical Issues
Chat sessions are online discussions in a group of students and/or faculty. Chats are synchronous,
meaning you all have to be online at the same time to participate. Each cohort will chat for one hour
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each week at a time mutually agreed upon by the members of that group and the Instructor. The
Instructor will host and facilitate each session.
Things to know about the Blackboard Collaborate software:
1. To access chats, click on Chats in the course menu. If the Chats link is missing, you can click on
Tools, then Blackboard Collaborate. This will bring you to the Blackboard Collaborate page, which
is the Blackboard tool for hosting synchronous events. You can do three things at this point:
a. You can create a chat session (red arrow).
b. You can enter and participate in a scheduled chat session. The orange arrow is pointing to the
first chat in the list of scheduled sessions. Notice the purple ball to the right of the arrow. This
ball indicates that chat is currently available.
c. You can review a recording of a chat session (blue arrow)
2. Creating a chat session. Students generally will not be creating a chat session, but it is available as
an option.
a. By default, the chat name is the name of the course. You can give it a more descriptive name so
people can distinguish between chat sessions. Also, chats will record by default.
b. Click on the start and end times and dates to change them. Participants in the course will be able
to enter the chat at any time during the period you set.
c. If you’re setting up a repeating chat, click On next to Repeat. Set the frequency (Daily, Weekly,
Monthly). For Weekly, by default the software assumes the current day of the week. If that’s not
correct, unclick the current day of the week and click on the correct day. You can also terminate
repeating based on number of occurrences or date. Repeating chats will share the same name.
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d. Leaving Early Session Entry at 15 minutes means the chat can be accessed up to 15 minutes
before the official start time.
e. Under Room Attributes, by default the chat session is recorded, and up to 6 people to talk
simultaneously, but only one camera can be operational at a time to reduce delay. Other defaults
rarely need to be changed.
f. Once created, the session will appear in the list of future chats.
g. If you create a chat session for personal use, to get more familiar with the software or to hold a
chat for personal reasons, please delete it afterwards from the recordings so that students don’t
assume it’s something they need to review.
3. Entering a chat session
a. At the beginning of your first semester in the program, you will find a Practice Chat room
available so you can enter and play with the software.
b. You will need to download the latest version of Java to run the chat software, available at
www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp
You can check whether you have Java installed at
www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp?detect=jre&try=1
Also, your browser must be configured to allow you to run Java. You can usually find your Java
settings under Options or Preferences, depending on your browser. Because Java can potentially
be used to invade your computer with malicious software (though this is a rare occurrence),
many corporations prohibit Java from running on their computers. If you fail to access the chat
through your work computer, try again on your home computer.
c. You cannot access a chat session until 15 minutes before the start time unless the chat creator
has increased the Early Session Entry time.
d. Only chats with a purple ball next to the access link are currently available. Click on the chat
link to enter.
e. If it’s your first chat, some software must first be downloaded. For some browsers, download
can recur each time you access a chat. Also, depending on your browser, the software may
automatically install or may need to be double-clicked and/or you may need to agree to run it.
You may also be asked some questions about your Internet connection and whether you want to
test your microphone or camera. If the software fails to install, you should try using a different
browser.
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4. Participating in a chat. The figure above shows you what the chat screen looks like, though
variations are possible.
a. You can participate in a chat using any of several methods: telephone, typed chat, or computer
speakers and microphone. The software allows use of video, but that can slow down the software
depending on students’ connections, so we ask that you reserve video for the Instructor (who
may or may not choose to use it).
b. People who participate by typing do so through the chat window (see the red arrow). You click
on the white bar at the bottom and type in what you would like to share with the group. When
you hit enter, it appears as part of a transcript in the larger grey area above the white bar.
c. If you can’t see the chat transcript, one of two things is probably happening. Make sure the
Room tab is selected. Also, the arrow to the left of the word Chat should be pointing down. If
it’s pointing to the right instead, click on it to reveal the transcript.
d. In the upper right-hand corner of the screen is a button labeled Load Content (see the blue
arrow). If you want to load a picture or powerpoint into the chat room to be viewed by the group,
click on that button, browse to the file on your computer, open the file, and Blackboard will
import it. If it’s a powerpoint presentation, another window will open that lets you navigate
through the slides.
e. In the configuration above, the screen is dominated by a whiteboard. This is also the area where
a powerpoint or diagram would appear. The chat window is restricted to the box in the lower left
corner. If the group is reviewing a diagram or powerpoint presentation or the whiteboard is in
use, this is probably the best configuration. However, if the group is just chatting, you can drag
the chat window to the center of your screen. You can then enlarge it by dragging the lower right
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corner of the chat window out. The result will look like the following figure. To return the chat
window to its original location in the left-hand column, simply drag it back.
f. To use the telephone, a phone number and password are available during the Early Session
Entry. Once you enter the chat, you can find this information at Tools, Telephony, Use
Telephone for Audio.
g. To speak using the computer mike, click on the Talk button above the Participants window in
the left column. A microphone should appear next to your name. Once you are done speaking,
remember to click Talk again, as only six speakers are allowed at one time.
h. Above the list of participants in the Participants window you will see four icons. You can use
these for emoticons, raising your hand, indicating you’ve stepped away, and polling.
5. Listening to Recordings
a. On the Blackboard Collaborate page is a link for Recordings. Simply click on the Recording you
want to review. Again, your browser may require you to download and run software.
b. You can drag the progress marker at the bottom of the screen to move forward and backward.
To repeat, you should test the chat software before your very first chat. You can use the Practice
Chat for that purpose. It can take a while to open the first time, and may not open at all if your browser
is not correctly configured for Java software.
Participation Issues
The chats represent an essential learning activity in the FDU program. Usually, 7-8 chats are offered
during each course. You are required to participate in all chats. If for personal or technical reasons you
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cannot join a chat, you can review the Recording and provide your reflections on the chat to your
Instructor. However, that is only permitted with the approval of the Instructor.
The weekly chats can get confusing. You may have 2-3 people submitting questions or comments at any
time, on different topics. There are several things that can be done to keep the confusion under control:
 It is natural for colleagues to make jokes or personal comments during the course of a chat.
However, there is sometimes a tendency for others to start commenting on the comments, or adding
to the joke. This can be distracting to the discussion. Try to stay on task, and if you see the group
getting off task, feel free to offer a gentle reminder.
 If your comment is intended to respond directly to another participant, you should attach that
person’s name to your response: “I think you’re right, Joan.”
 You do not need to indicate who you are for written entries; your name is attached to each of your
entries. If you’re using audio you may want to identify yourself.
 Typed entries should be short. If you write something long, you run the risk of the conversation
switching to another topic before you finish your comment. If you do have something long to say,
it’s best to break it up into several shorter portions.
 The Instructor leading the chat may designate particular student(s) to lead the discussion for some
segments.
 The Instructor will also let you know if some students are to be “observers only” for some segments.
Otherwise, all students are expected to participate by posting messages to the discussion.
 If you are unable to attend or arrive late, catch up by reading the transcripts.
 If there are issues left over at the end of a chat that you would still like to see addressed, you have
several options. If it is a topic that requires an additional meeting, you can schedule a separate chat
with others who are interested and create your own chat session. Alternatively, you can post it as a
topic for discussion on a Discussion Forum. If it’s a question you did not think the Instructor
answered sufficiently, you can post it on one of the Discussion Forums, or ask the Instructor to
email everyone with more information. Remember, discussion is an important contributor to
learning. The end of the chat should not be the end of your interaction for the week.
Exams
There are two multiple-choice (usually) examinations required for each course. These are presented
online, and you are given a period of several days in which to access the exam. These are timed exams,
so you must complete all items within the time frame provided. You submit your responses directly
online.
If you can't get a exam to work correctly because of problems with the Internet or webcampus, email
your Instructor at your earliest convenience. If you will miss the exam deadline for personal reasons,
you should inform the Instructor as early as possible to receive an extension. The Instructor is
responsible for any extensions to exams.
Out of fairness we cannot allow discussion of the exams on the Discussion Forums or chats until after
all students have completed the exam. We think such discussion can enhance learning, but unfortunately
in the past we have sometimes had problems with people who were not conscientious about deadlines.
Please help us create a fair academic environment for everybody.
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In the event that the website server is down for any portion of the exam due date, the Instructor will let
you know of any extensions to the deadline. Students who wait until the final hours prior to a
submission deadline risk having problems with their ISP, hardware, or software. It is advisable to
complete exams early. The multiple days allowed for submission are to accommodate the busy
schedules of working professionals, not to accommodate procrastination.
After the exam is completed, the Instructor may choose to make corrections to the scoring of the exam
based on student feedback or item analysis. Once the exam is completed we cannot correct the scoring
key; however, we can give credit for items the website considers incorrect. For this reason, if the
Instructor announces corrections to the exams, these corrections will change the total score for your
grade (see My Grades below) but will not change the indication that your answer was incorrect when
you look at the item feedback.
Discussion Forums
Discussion Forums are asynchronous (not real time) conversations about a particular topic, discussion
question, problem, or case study posted by a faculty member, student, or staff member. A message is
posted, and other members of the class can reply to that message, or to the replies posted by others.
While the exact thread of the discussion may be difficult to follow in a chat session, the thread is easy to
follow in a Discussion Form because comments are posted sequentially. Participants can read all the
previous postings in chronological order and make pertinent comments that add to the discussion. Few
of our Instructors use the Discussion Forums, but it is there as an option.
If your class uses the Discussion Forums, there are several rules to keep in mind when posting messages
to a Forum:
 Try to keep your messages short. That will increase the likelihood others will read them.
 If you want to respond to a previous message, try to do so in a timely manner. A comment on a
discussion that took place a month earlier is not likely to be very effective.
E-Mail
The Send E-Mail function of Blackboard will let you communicate with any other participants in the
class. Your e-mail will be sent to their webmail account. Unfortunately, if you receive an e-mail through
this system there is no Reply All option; your response will only go to the person who sent the email,
not the rest of the class.
Directed Study Questions
Each course is divided into a series of modules. For most modules a set of Directed Study Questions
(DSQs) has been developed, questions requiring short open-ended responses, to help you solidify
learning. Different Instructors use the DSQs differently. Some make them an optional activity that can
enhance your grade, some require them, and some use them as discussion points in chats. Requirements
for a particular course will be found in the course syllabus.
If you submit DSQ answers for credit, you can send them to your Instructor via e-mail, either as an
attached Word or in the body of the e-mail; your Instructor may indicate a preferred way to receive
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them. Your Instructor will correct what you have submitted, and return it with an overall grade for the
set.
The DSQs are not intended to prove burdensome; if you are expected to submit DSQ answers, your
DSQ answers should never consist of more than a short list, or two paragraphs of text.
Instructors can also provide you with sample answers for the DSQs developed by your Instructor and/or
the Expert Presenters for the module. If you have questions about the answers to your Directed Study
Questions, you can submit questions to the Instructor for clarification.
Semester Project
Each semester you are required to submit a semester project. This project is due near the end of the
semester, but contributes to your grades and CE award for both courses that semester. In most semesters
this project will consist of a case study. Instructions for the semester project appear in every course
syllabus.
My Grades
If My Grades is missing from the course menu, you can access it through the Tools link. Grades for
multiple choice exams will automatically load on this page. Other grades will need to be posted by your
Instructor. If your Instructor has forgotten to post grades you may want to remind him or her. Grading
for a course will be based on:
1. Two exams
2. Participation in all chats
3. The semester project
4. Directed Study Questions (at the discretion of the Instructor)
My Grades provides a total score. This is simply a sum of the scores that have been posted. The
Instructor’s grading system may not be based on a simple sum, so don’t trust this total score as an
accurate representation of your current performance in the course. We try to turn this total score column
off, but sometimes when Blackboard is updated it becomes visible again. Don’t trust it!
Reaching Out
We end this section with an important word of advice. This training is difficult, and there is nothing that
will help you cope with the demands as much as social support. In the distance format, the extent to
which your colleagues in the program (whether students, administrative staff, or faculty) provide that
support depends on you. There is a surprising capacity to make social connections in an online program,
because of the constant availability of mechanisms for making contact such as Discussion Boards and email. The more you use those mechanisms, the more connected you will feel, and the more your
colleagues will become that source of support. If you are the sort of person who is comfortable doing
the work and not having much to do with other students, then distance education is a terrific option. If
you are the sort of person who feels more comfortable being part of a cohesive group, distance
education can still be for you. However, the degree to which that happens is your responsibility. Post
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often, respond to others, talk up in chats, e-mail stupid jokes to the rest of your group. Make it the type
of learning environment you want.
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PROGRAM POLICIES
In any extended academic program, the potential exists for problems or differences of opinion to occur.
The following guide describes regulations of the program governing such situations. Please read this
information thoroughly. Students participating in the program are expected to abide by these policies.
Licensure Status
Matriculation in the program is only open to licensed psychologists. If at any time you become
unlicensed for any reason, or if you are obligated to surrender licensure in any jurisdiction for
disciplinary reasons, you must inform us of your change of status. This notification must occur
immediately if you are currently participating in a course, or at the time of registration for your next
course. The Program reserves the right to request updated evidence of licensure status at any time, and
we regularly do so at the beginning of the second year of the program, and again if you pursue the
optional practicum. Please be aware that we are obliged to report any attempts to misrepresent your
licensure status to appropriate regulatory agencies.
Non-Matriculated Student Status
Individuals who do not meet the admissions requirements for the program, or who do not wish to
complete the entire program, can complete up to 6 credits on a non-matriculated basis with the
permission of the Academic Director.
Course Registration
Once matriculated into the program, you will be automatically registered for courses each semester
unless you explicitly inform the Academic Director of your decision to take a leave of absence or
withdraw from the program.
Time to Complete the Program
It is expected that participants will complete the didactic portion of the program in two years. If you
want to withdraw from the program or take a leave of absence, you should contact the Academic
Director of the program to discuss the possibility of an extension.
Course Completion
There are two standards involved in successful completion of a course. The first has to do with the
awarding of Continuing Education credit. The second has to do with the awarding of academic credit.
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Awarding CE Credit
Each course is associated with 45 CE credits, divided as follows:
# Hours
25
7
6
7
Activity
Readings/videos
Chats
Exams
Case presentation
Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Psychology is approved by the American Psychological
Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Fairleigh Dickinson University School of
Psychology maintains responsibility for the program. By APA guidelines, the student must complete at
least 80% of the activities required for the course to receive CE credits. Course activities associated with
the awarding of credit are outlined in the Course Manual. Both CE certificates for the semester are
mailed simultaneously at the end of the semester (unless the student has received an extension, in which
case they are mailed upon completion of the extension).
Awarding Academic Credit
The second standard has to do with the awarding of academic credit. Grading guidelines for each course
may be found in the course syllabus. Students who fail a course (< 75% of total possible score) must
repeat and successfully complete the course before they can complete the program. Students are charged
each time they enroll in a course. In addition, any student who receives a grade of C+ or less (< 80%) in
two or more courses will be automatically terminated from the program.
If you feel your grade is in error, the first step in the appeal process is to discuss the outcome with the
Instructor. If the issue is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should then contact the Academic
Director for the program in writing or via e-mail. Further information may be found in the section below
on appeals.
Occasionally, a student may find it necessary to withdraw from the second course in a semester after
having participated in the first course. This creates a potentially complicated situation, in that the
individual is no longer participating in the program at the time of submission of the case report. The
student must still submit the case report in order to meet the requirement for sufficient participation to
receive credit for the first course. You can then submit the case report again when you take the second
course later.
Grading
Grades are generally computed using the following weights:
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50%: Two online objective exams
25%: Participation in weekly chats
25%: Written Case Presentation
In some courses, students are required to submit Directed Study Questions. In such cases, your final
grade would be calculated as follows:
40%: Two online objective exams
15%: Participation in weekly chats
30%: Completion of Directed Study Questions
15%: Written Case Presentation
In still other courses you are given the option of submitting some or all DSQs, and the proportion of the
grade based on DSQs will be adjusted proportionately (though grades are computed so that submitting
optional DSQs will never hurt your grades). Be aware that the Instructor has the option of weighting
components differently than indicated here.
The following standard is used for the determination of letter grades:
A
93 and up
A90-92
B+
87-89
B
83-86
B80-82
C+
75-79
F
below 75
Tuition
Each semester you are automatically registered for courses and billed unless you request withdrawal or
a leave of absence. The Enrollment Services office offers various options for payment of tuition. In
particular, if you are interested in applying for student loans, for in defraying current loans, you should
contact the Enrollment Services office.
If you need to withdraw from a course, you must inform the Academic Director via e-mail. You are also
expected to inform the Instructor. There is a sliding scale of tuition eligible for refund, depending on
how long after the start of the course you provide written notice of withdrawal. University rules govern
the amount of the refund. You will receive a full refund for any course in which you have not yet
participated.
Course Waivers
Given that effective participation in the medication management of individuals with mental disorders is
a demanding activity, it is our intention to be very conservative concerning the waiving of courses.
Students are permitted to waive up to four of the following courses (40% of all coursework):
 PSYC7910 Biological Foundations of Psychopharmacological Practice I
 PSYC7915 Biological Foundations of Psychopharmacological Practice II
 PSYC7920 Neuroscience
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PSYC7925 Neuropharmacology
No partial waiver of courses is permitted. No waiver of pharmacology or psychopharmacology courses
is permitted. If the request for waiver is based on prior graduate coursework, the applicant must provide
syllabi from relevant courses and transcripts demonstrating completion of the courses. The number of
graduate credits used to justify the waiver must match or exceed the number of graduate credits to be
waived. Syllabi are reviewed by the current Instructor for each course, who may request additional
information from the applicant if warranted. The Instructor must approve the waiver.
There is also a mechanism for course waiver if the applicant previously participated in a certificate
program or extensive continuing education in psychopharmacology. The applicant must provide syllabi
for relevant courses (if available) and certificates verifying completion. The number of continuing
education credits used to justify the waiver must match or exceed the number of continuing education
credits awarded for the courses to be waived (45 credits per course). In addition, the applicant is
provided the most recent examinations from the courses to be waived. The applicant is allowed five
days to complete each examination, and must achieve a grade of at least 75% for each course for that
course to be waived.
University Academic Integrity Policy
Students enrolled at Fairleigh Dickinson University are expected to maintain the highest standards of
academic honesty. Students have the responsibility to make known the existence of academic dishonesty
to their Instructor and then, if necessary, the Academic Director of the Program, the Director of the
School of Psychology, or the Dean of FDU’s University College. Instructors have the added
responsibility to state in advance in their syllabi any special policies and procedures concerning
examinations and other academic exercises specific to their courses. Students should request this
information if not distributed by the Instructor.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following:
1. Cheating—Giving or receiving unauthorized assistance in any academic exercise or examination.
Using or attempting to use any unauthorized materials, information or study aids in an examination
or academic exercise.
2. Plagiarism—Representing the ideas or language of other’s as one’s own.
3. Falsification—Falsifying or inventing any information, data or citation in an academic exercise.
4. Multiple Submission—Submitting substantial portions of any academic exercise more than once for
credit without the prior authorization and approval of the current Instructor.
5. Complicity—Facilitating any of the above actions or performing work that another student then
presents as his or her assignment.
6. Interference—Interfering with the ability of a fellow student to perform his or her assignment.
Termination from the Program
Termination from the program will occur for the following reasons:
 Surrender of a license in any jurisdiction for disciplinary reasons.
 Documented academic dishonesty, as described in the University Academic Integrity Policy.
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Unethical or unprofessional behavior. Please note that this also includes course website postings and
e-mail communications with faculty and staff. Students are advised that their behavior while
participating in the program should exemplify the ethical behavior of a professional psychologist
with respect to all communications with clients, colleagues, fellow students, faculty, and staff.
Final grade of C+ or less in two or more courses.
Failure of the qualifying examination on three occasions.
Termination will be at the discretion of the Academic Director working in consultation with appropriate
personnel within the University.
Appeals Process
If you are not satisfied with any decision made by the Academic Director concerning your status in the
program, as a student of Fairleigh Dickinson University you have the option of pursuing the standard
appeals process available to all students of the University. If you choose to do so, the Academic
Director will provide you with a copy of the current appeals policy upon written request.
For residents of Tennessee, if you are dissatisfied with the manner in which the University addresses
your complaints, you can contact the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Nashville TN 372430830, Telephone: 615-741-5293. Residents of Georgia can contact the Georgia Nonpublic
Postsecondary Education Commission, 2189 Northlake Parkway, Building 10 Suite 100, Tucker GA
30084-4113, Telephone: 770-414-3300.
Course Extensions
Sometimes, you may find it impossible to complete the course in the time frame allotted. If you have
substantially completed the bulk of the material for a course, you can request an extension. This request
should be submitted to the Instructor. You should provide justification for the extension. The Instructor
is responsible for awarding the extension. According to the policy of the University, incomplete grades
in any course must be resolved within the first three weeks of the next semester. If you will not be able
to complete the course in that time frame, it’s your responsibility to inform the Administrative Assistant
so she can extend the incomplete grade. Failure to do so will result in the grade converting to an F.
However, this can be changes as appropriate once the course work is completed.
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