Community Psychology, Ph.D.
This program aims to develop students’ skills in working with communities. Students who enter this program are interested in working within a community setting to address social problems like teen pregnancy, child abuse, substance abuse and crime. The program is designed to offer the methodological training necessary to adhere to quality research standards balanced with the development of strong facilitator skills.
Graduates may find employment in traditional academic settings as well as in social service agencies, governmental agencies, research centers or non-profit agencies.
In addition to the College of Professional Studies and Advancement Graduate Admission Requirements, applicants must:
- Submit official transcripts showing completion of a master’s degree in psychology or related field as identified by the faculty. Completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution must be verified.
- Submit three professional letters of recommendation
- Submit a personal statement describing the applicant’s expectations of the program and core beliefs regarding the role of community psychologists
- Submit a written statement reflecting the applicant's research interest (800 words)
- Have completed a master’s thesis. Applicants without a master’s thesis will be considered for admission but are required to complete a thesis or thesis equivalent.
- Sit for a faculty interview
Program Details:
- Requires 69–72 SH for completion
- Requires an internship
- Requires LAP 601 (if thesis was not previously completed at master’s level)
- Requires a dissertation
Required Courses
| LAP 600 | Introductory Seminar on Community Psychology | 1 |
| LAP 601 | Pilot Research in Community Psychology | 1 TO 3 |
| LAP 605 | Principles of Community Psychology | 3 |
| LAP 610 | Community Prevention and Intervention Approaches to Social Problems | 3 |
| LAP 615 | Community Organizing | 3 |
| LAP 625 | Advanced Quantitative Methodology in Community Psychology | 3 |
| LAP 630 | Advanced Qualitative Methodology in Community Psychology | 3 |
| LAP 635 | Statistics for Community Psychology | 3 |
| LAP 640 | Survey Design and SPSS | 3 |
| LAP 645 | Social Marketing and Thought Leadership | 3 |
| LAP 650 | Principles of Consultation in the Community | 3 |
| LAP 655 | Grant Writing Focused on Community Needs | 3 |
| LAP 660 | Professional Writing for Community Psychology | 3 |
| LAP 661 | Professional Writing for Community Psychology II | 2 |
| LAP 665 | Advanced Theoretical Foundations of Community Psychology | 3 |
| LAP 670 | Advanced Cross Cultural Communication | 3 |
| LAP 689 | Fieldwork in Community Psychology | 1 TO 5 |
| LAP 690 | Consultation in Community Psychology | 1 TO 3 |
| LAP 693 | Seminar in Program Evaluation | 3 |
| LAP 698 | Dissertation Proposal Seminar | 3 |
| LAP 699 | Dissertation in Community Psychology | 1 TO 6 |
| LAS 620 | Advanced Community Development Planning and Policy | 3 |
| LAS 660 | Advanced Leadership and Organizational Change | 3 |
| LAS 665 | Urban Politics and the Community | 3 |
Notes: LAP 689 must be taken for a total of 3 semester hours. LAP 690 must be taken for a total of 3 semester hours. LAP 699 must be taken for a total of 6 semester hours. Additionally, LAP 601 is required for any student who did not complete a thesis as part of his or her master’s degree and must be taken for a total of 3 semester hours.
For more information about this program, visit http://www.nl.edu/academics/socialbehavioralsciencesdoctoral/phdcommunitypsychology/