After completing this interdisciplinary program, the graduate should be able to approach problems with a more integrated point of view and work cooperatively with community individuals and agencies toward practical solutions. Problems related to crime, education, child and family development, employment, the lack of effective social power, and other factors affecting psychological well-being are approached from bases in community service agencies or informal community groups. The majority of students work full-time in agencies or governmental units. To accommodate these working students, 500-level graduate courses are scheduled in the evening. Students with experience in carrying out planned social change are particularly encouraged to apply.
Most applicants hold degrees in psychology, sociology, or related disciplines.
Ideally, applicants will have taken courses in developmental, personality, and social psychology, along with work in social change, social problems, and social conflict. Students from diverse backgrounds are welcome to apply, particularly if they have had work or other experience effecting change in community settings. Applicants may be asked to take additional coursework without graduate credit, chosen after consultation with an adviser, if they have had no psychology or sociology courses beyond the introductory level. Applicants must have received a C or better in an introductory statistics course covering parametric and non-parametric inferential statistics. They will be requested to make up any deficiency without graduate credit.