600

This course is designed to introduce and orient students to the Ph.D. in Community Psychology Program, outlining expectations as well as introducing students to resources (e.g., program expectations, basic understanding of Community Psychology, navigating library and technology systems, and accessing financial aid). Students reflect on community psychology as it relates to their work experiences and career aspirations. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Community Psychology PhD program; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 1 semester hour

The pilot research is a multi-term undertaking that builds to the dissertation in Community Psychology. Doctoral candidates create a formal, APA-style written document that investigates a social issue from the community psychology perspective in a disciplined empirical inquiry. Students engage in a literature review, formulate research questions or hypotheses for their study, design methodology, and develop a research proposal. Upon IRRB’s approval of the study, students collect, report, and interpret data. Their work culminates in defense of their papers. After earning required three credit hours in this course, continuous registration, identified by X in the course number, must be maintained until the research is complete. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Community Psychology PH D program. Co-requisite(s): None. 1-3 semester hours

Continuous registration required until research is complete. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Community Psychology Ph.D. program and prior registration for the required number of hours in LAP 601. Co-requisite(s): None. 0 semester hour

This course is designed to introduce students to the main principles of community psychology. Major topics include: history, theories, and constructs of community psychology. More specifically, constructs and theories include: the construct of community, social-ecological theory, social justice, empowerment, and prevention interventions. Students are also introduced to strategies for addressing social problems and making changes with communities including: coalition-building, systems theory, and community organizing. Additional considerations regarding navigating research within a community context are also explored, such as multiple conceptualizations of diversity and the importance of ethics. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 600; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course explores prevention and intervention methods for addressing social problems from a community psychology perspective including Key Integrated Social Systems (KISS), Ailing in Difficulty (AID), and Illness Correction Endeavors (ICE). Approaches to social problems are considered across cultures and from the micro-, meso-, exo- and macro-system levels. Current research on approaches to social problems are presented. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course explores how people organize for social change; specifically, how people build, and/or re-build, social capital within a community as well as physical infrastructure. Examples of topics covered include: introduction to the history of community organizing, diversity in community organizing, building relationships and organizations, organizing leadership, using the internet and other electronic social media in community organizing and development, and community visioning and planning. There is also strong emphasis placed on how culture influences all aspects of community organizing. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 600, LAP 605, and LAP 610; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course investigates the various aspects of neighborhood and community-based development and the roles that community psychologists can play in facilitating relevant planning initiatives. Students learn how changing urban structures such as neighborhood gentrification and displacement can impact community development and influence resident management practices. In addition, students identify and evaluate the effectiveness of different of different planning approaches including asset mapping, advocacy and equity planning within the context of policymaking. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 600, LAP 605, or permission of the instructor. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course reviews the scientific method, including the importance of strong literature reviews, building the formulation of research questions/hypotheses. In-depth coverage of observational, correlational, experimental, and quasi-experimental research designs is emphasized, as well as detailing operationalizing variables, hypotheses, research questions, measurement, and study reliability and validity. Each of the following sub-sections of an APA-style Methods section of a research study is applied: Design, Participants, Procedures, and Instruments. Students also review ethical considerations in research. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 600, LAP 605, and LAP 610; or approval by Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course reviews qualitative research methods including interviewing, observing, documenting, and categorizing data. An introduction to understanding and conducting focus groups is provided. Students demonstrate how qualitative research focuses on understanding the insider’s view (emic) while quantitative research focuses on predicting, or controlling, with an outside objective view (etic). This course promotes hands-on application of various qualitative methods in community psychology through interviewing participants, observing participants, conducting a focus group, and analyzing qualitative data. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 600, LAP 605, and LAP 610; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This is an advanced statistics course offered within the Community Psychology PhD program. This course allows students to choose and apply appropriate statistical techniques in relation to their dissertations. Students further develop techniques in experimental, quasi experimental, and survey research. Both univariate and multivariate analysis techniques are explored. Issues of sampling, measurement, reliability, and validity are addressed. Students learn practical implications for the use of each technique in community psychology research. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 625, LAP 630, and LAP 698; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course will examine all aspects of total survey design including setting objectives, sampling, questionnaire construction, data collection, design and analysis procedures and report writing. Students engage in a hands-on exploration of data analysis including data coding, entry, and checking; a review of descriptive statistic procedures and report writing; and development of tables and figures utilizing data and adhering to APA style. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 600, or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course will examine promoting social change through the use of Social Marketing (focused on individual behavior change) as well as shaping public debate at the macro level. The 4 P’s (Price, Product, Promotion and Placement) of Social Marketing will be covered including review of successful applications, consideration of how to apply these Social Marketing principles to new topics and examination of the difficulties of applying this technique to complex social problems. Thought leadership will be covered with a specific focus on students finding their social issue expertise and learning how to position their arguments at a macro level. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course emphasizes community psychology practice and the development of consulting skills. Students explore the role of community psychologists as consultants as well as the need for stakeholders to be partners in the process. Some processes to be examined are connecting people, clarifying roles, managing conflict, setting clear goals and creating a positive climate. Cultural and diversity are explored as they relate to consultation. Student will also prepare draft proposals for their community consultation course sequence LAP 690. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 600; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 4 semester hours

This course focuses on grant writing activities as they relate to the community. This includes effective grant-writing principles including the identification of potential grant opportunities and writing a proposal as well as conducting community needs assessments. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course will prepare students for professional writing, within the field of community psychology. Topics covered include APA style, outlining, literature reviews, writing for scholarly journals, crafting a narrative, writing for research presentations, ethical considerations, and aspects of professionalism in writing. Students learn to analyze published works and apply the writing skills to their class papers, externships, theses, and dissertations. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 600; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This advanced writing course focuses on writing mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) results for dissertations in community psychology. The course addresses issues of describing data analysis/validation procedures, results section presentation structure, choosing and designing the most effective visual graphics (tables, charts, and graphs) and/or narrative descriptions, guidelines for graphics, and communicating data effectively and ethically for both scholarly and community stakeholders. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 600, LAP 605, LAP 635, and LAP 698; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 2 semester hours

Students in this course revisit their vision and mission through exploring advanced strategies for leading change with communities. The course explores the structure and role of government and nonprofit organizations in maximizing benefit to the community, as well as how to work with organizations to influence broader cultural systems change. Interdisciplinary philosophy and theory are explored to examine how organizations influence broader community dynamics that sustain a variety of social problems for communities. Specific focus is placed on organizational culture and understanding how organizations must adhere to and adapt to outside changes and demands of stakeholders within a broader global context. Students examine the role of community psychologists in organizational performance and efficiency in the context of staying current on best practices and continuous quality improvement. Students learn about planning for and leading change in alignment with organizations’ goals and designs for change that ultimately result in community improvement. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 600, LAP 605 or permission of the Program Chair/Director or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course provides students with a philosophical background in community psychology and related including social psychology, sociology, personality, health psychology, social work, and urban studies. Students explore the following set of interdisciplinary theories: empowerment theory, sense of community, ecological theory, social psychology and personality, psychoanalysis, sociological models, and theories of stress. They further analyze theories and apply them toward interpreting real world situations. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 600; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

In this course, students investigate theory and practical aspects of culture and cross-cultural relationships. They explore psychological and cultural factors that both facilitate and challenge cross-cultural relationships and communication. They assess communication processes and challenges as they apply to community psychology and work within diverse communities. Students analyze dimensions of communication as well as strategies for improving communication skills within different community contexts. Students examine the community psychology Cultural Competency Framework, which includes cultural competence as an on-going process; engage in exploration of self as community psychologist; and network with professionals in the field. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 600, LAP 605; or consent of the Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 4 semester hours

This course examines the impact on community areas of the distribution of power and the tensions hat drive modern cities. Students consider racial and ethnic divides and common interests and explore the relationship between government, private economic interests, and residents’ interests. They further discuss theoretical and policy issues as they relate to urban politics and their effects on communities and residents. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 600, and LAP 605; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This experiential fieldwork/consultation sequence provides students the opportunity to explore multiple communities they seek to work with, both during the program and beyond. Students apply principles and concepts learned in the classroom to real-world action projects and build their professional networks. They gain hands-on community experience as they pursue personal learning objectives and professional development skills to community psychology in a variety of settings. The fieldwork sequence prepares students for the consultation project with local organizations, which focuses on research, advocacy, non-profit management, social marketing, community organizing and development, and/or grant writing. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to PhD in Community Psychology program. Co-requisite(s): None. 1-5 semester hours

This course will offer students introductory hands-on, supervised experience in the community. Students have the opportunity to pursue personal learning objectives related to community psychology in a variety of community settings. These learning objectives can focus on research, advocacy, non-profit management, or fundraising or other related activities. Prerequisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 1-3 semester hours

This course introduces students to different types of program evaluations, including needs assessment, formative and process evaluation, monitoring of inputs, outputs, and outcomes, impact assessment, and cost analysis. Students engage in practical experiences through a series of exercises involving the design of a conceptual framework, indicators, and an evaluation plan to measure impact. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 625 or PPA 565 or RES 520 or another graduate quantitative analysis/methods course by approval of Program Chair. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course is designed for Community Psychology doctoral students to pursue an independent study under the direction of a faculty member. The learning objectives for the independent study vary based on the choice of its focus, and typically draw from research, advocacy, non-profit management, resource development, social marketing, or community organizing and development, thus building toward the student’s career as a community psychologist. Students must obtain permission from the Program Chair prior to registration. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 1-3 semester hours

This course focuses community psychology doctoral students on developing successful dissertation proposals. Students learn the criteria of a successful proposal for the field of Psychology, identify and organize various sources of literature for writing a scientific literature review, discuss strategies for developing a written argument, formulate research questions, align research questions with data, identify strategies for successful collaboration with dissertation advisors, address project/time management strategies, and create peer support network for research. The course culminates in development of the dissertation proposal and its submission to the Institutional Research Review Board (IRRB). Pre-requisite(s): LAP 625 and LAP 630; or permission of Program Chair or designate. 3 semester hours

This course focuses on the complete dissertation process including conceptualization of a project, literature review, data collection, data analysis, final write up, and defense. Pre-requisite(s): LAP 625, LAP 630, LAP 635. Co-requisite(s): None. 1-6 semester hours

Continuous registration required until dissertation is complete. Pre-requisite(s) Doctoral standing, consent of instruction and prior registration or the required number of hours in LAP 699. Co-requisite(s): None. 0 semester hours.