Department of psychology

Graduate Program
Assessment

About the Assessment Psychology Program

Assessment Psychology is the field of behavioral science concerned with methods of identifying similarities and differences among people in their personal characteristics and capabilities. Psychologists aren’t psychic—they can’t read your mind and solve all of your problems. Like detectives, assessment psychologists gather multiple pieces of information to learn about individuals. The psychological assessment process involves giving tests, conducting interviews, and reviewing existing records in order to answer questions about the individual being assessed.

The Assessment Psychology graduate specialty at Kent State features cutting-edge research from expert faculty in a number of areas including:

• Assessing personality and psychopathology
• Conducting psychological assessments in forensic settings
• Effects of age and disease on the brain and behavior

Students have many opportunities to become involved in ongoing assessment research projects and to design and conduct their own research studies.

Research Training in Assessment Psychology

Assessment research focuses on the development and validation of ways to gauge important individual differences. At Kent State, we concentrate on widely used psychological tests designed to assess personality and psychopathology in adults and adolescents (MMPI-2 and MMPI-A) and neuropsychological tests to determine the impact of age and disease on brain function and behavior. Students are involved in grant-funded studies and have opportunities to present their own research at national scientific meetings. Many of our graduate students publish their research in leading assessment psychology journals.

Examples of current assessment research activities at Kent State include:

• Development and validation of a new, shorter version of the MMPI-2, the MMPI-2 RF (Restructured Form)
• Detection of specific kinds of malingering (emotional, somatic, cognitive) with the MMPI-2
• Gender as a moderator of relationships between MMPI-2 scores and symptoms and personality characteristics
• Brain function in persons with heart disease and those undergoing bariatric surgery
  

Coursework in Assessment Psychology

Students interested in the Assessment Psychology specialty are expected to complete departmental and clinical core course requirements. In addition, they should register for elective assessment courses related to their research interests and career goals. Advanced courses include Child Assessment, Behavioral Assessment, Neuropsychological Assessment, Advanced MMPI-2 Interpretation, and Forensic Psychology. Some elective courses may be waived to give students more time for involvement in additional research projects.

Clinical Experiences in Assessment Psychology

Assessment Psychology students are exposed to a wide variety of clinical problems and procedures during the second year clinical practicum. While the emphasis is on psychotherapy, assessment is an integral part of the training provided. Brief assessments are conducted with all adult clients, and more comprehensive assessments are conducted with selected clients. Students can select a third year specialty practicum that focuses on personality and neuropsychological assessment. Fourth year community placements at a forensic assessment facility, a medical center, and community mental health centers can further enhance assessment skills. Internship selection provides another opportunity for students to acquire more assessment experience.

Recent Ph.D. Graduates in Assessment Psychology

• Linda Baum, Ph.D.
• Stephanie Coffield, Ph.D.
• Sheryl Delain, Ph.D.
• Brian O’Reilly, Ph.D.
• Danielle Poland, Ph.D.
• Martin Sellbom, Ph.D.
• Dustin Wygant, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow in Assessment Psychology

• Martin Sellbom, Ph.D.

Current Graduate Students in Assessment Psychology

• Jill Barnes
• Andreana Benitez
• Danielle Burchette
• Jude Chamberlain
• Wendy Dragon
• Jose Fragoso
• Tayla Lee
• Stephanie Miller
• Ashley Smith
• Carlo Veltri