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.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
PLO1. Students will be able to design a community-related research project which includes the collection and analysis of data, and reporting of findings.
PLO2. Students will be able to implement a community based approach to consultation with a community partner.
PLO3. Students will be able to demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills related to work in the community.
PLO4. Students will be able to articulate and put into practice community psychology principles.
In addition to the College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences 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 school with institutional accreditation 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 completion of all courses in the program with a grade of "B" or better. Any student receiving a "C" grade must repeat the course in order to meet the requirements for successful completion of the program.
- Requires that a student, in the event that a second Incomplete grade is issued, resolve both Incompletes in order to remain in good standing in the program. Students will not be allowed to register for future classes until the work and grading for both Incompletes are finalized.
- Requires an internship
- Requires LAP 601 (if thesis was not previously completed at master’s level)
- Requires a dissertation
- Credit for Prior Learning may be accepted for a maximum of 12 semester hours for the following courses: LAP 615, LAP 620, LAP 630, LAP 650, LAP 655, LAP 662, LAP 690, and LAP 693
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 620 | Advanced Community Development Planning and Policy | 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 Introduction to Statistical Software and Analysis | 3 |
| LAP 645 | Social Marketing and Thought Leadership | 3 |
| LAP 650 | Principles of Consultation in the Community and Consultation Proposal | 4 |
| LAP 655 | Grant Writing Focused on Community Needs | 3 |
| LAP 660 | Professional Writing for Community Psychology I | 3 |
| LAP 661 | Professional Writing for Community Psychology II | 3 |
| LAP 662 | Leadership and Organizational Change | 3 |
| LAP 665 | Advanced Theoretical Foundations of Community Psychology | 3 |
| LAP 670 | Cross-Cultural Dynamics in Context | 4 |
| LAP 685 | Urban Politics and the Community | 3 |
| 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 |
Notes: 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.