Prenatal and Perinatal Degree Descriptions and Requirements

Master of Arts in Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology

Degree Description
This degree is designed for those who may already be professionals in health care, healing arts, counseling, or education; for those who work with pregnant women, babies or young children; for anyone who wants to incorporate the prenatal and perinatal psychology perspective into their lives and work. This two-year program provides a solid foundation in prenatal and perinatal theory and application as well as important counseling and therapeutic skills. Students also have the opportunity to develop their own Master's Prenatal and Perinatal Project to implement in their practice or in their community. During the five quarters of full time study, students attend classes three three-day weekends per quarter and one six-day summer session.

Requirements for Graduation

To be eligible for graduation, the following requirements must be successfully completed:

• 46 quarter units coursework and credits
• An original Master's Project submitted, presented and accepted by SBGI faculty and administration
• All financial commitments to SBGI, including tuition and fees

Master's Project
One goal of the Master's Project is to assist students to effectively develop, initiate, implement and evaluate practical applications of the prenatal and perinatal perspective and principles in their lives, their work, and in their communities. We also encourage students to develop a professional area of expertise. The Master's Project is designed to meet this goal.

Students define their project and its purpose and goals, design the project, review the pertinent literature and provide a personal experience and perspective synopsis relevant to their project, as well as plan the implementation and method of project evaluation.

In order to support students in developing their professional ability to articulate and convey their area of expertise effectively, students present their Master's Project during the presentation day just prior to graduation. This culminating experience provides a forum for students to professionally present their Master's Project to the educational community.

Degree requirements are subject to change.

MA in Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology
Curriculum 2004-2005

The following required courses comprise the MA in Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology Program. These courses may change. Each unit represents 10 clock hours of instruction.

Ph.D. in Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology
Degree Description

This program is designed for practitioners who may already have a clinical background and want to specialize in prenatal and perinatal psychology. It is also designed for other professionals, such as health care practitioners and educators. Students not only receive solid prenatal and perinatal foundational theory and therapeutic applications, but also go further to develop research skills and execute their own original research in prenatal and perinatal psychology.

Students attend classes three three-day weekends per quarter and one six-day session per summer. Students may apply for the doctorate program directly from a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree. Upon successful completion of the first two years students enter the third year of doctoral study and research.

Requirements for Graduation
To be eligible for graduation, the following requirements must be successfully completed:

• 120 quarter units coursework and credits
• 60 hours of personal therapy
• 450 hour community fieldwork
• An original research dissertation submitted and accepted by SBGI faculty committee and administration
• Oral defense of dissertation
• All financial commitments to SBGI, including tuition and fees

Community Fieldwork
During the third year of study, in conjunction with Professional Practice Coursework, students arrange and complete 450 hours of fieldwork in their home community. Working as trainee volunteers at an approved site, e.g. hospital, social service, non-profit organization, or another approved facility, students receive supervision and apply skills and knowledge in direct work with clients and develop their area of expertise. Sites with a multidisciplinary and multicultural orientation are highly encouraged.

Doctoral Dissertation
In order to be eligible to enroll in dissertation writing, students must successfully complete all required coursework for the doctoral degree and be a student in good standing as well as successfully complete the annual competency evaluation.

Students are then invited to enroll in the dissertation-writing course. This is a full year’s course. During this fourth year, students complete their proposal, select and have their committee approved by administration, carry out their research and complete their dissertation.  Upon final approval of the dissertation by the committee and administration, students complete their Ph.D. requirements by oral defense of their research. If the process is not completed within the fifth year, students must enroll in PPN 950, Dissertation Writing II, as they complete their dissertation.

Degree requirements are subject to change.

Ph.D. in Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology
Curriculum 2004-2005

The following required courses comprise the Ph.D. in Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology Program. These courses may change. Each unit represents 10 clock hours of instruction.