Undergraduate Certificate Program in Community Psychology
What is Community Psychology?
Community psychology is a field of psychology which developed in the 1960's to promote well-being, increase empowerment and sense of community, and prevent the development of problems in communities, groups and individuals.
What is an "Interest" in Community Psychology?
Pursuing an interest in community psychology provides you with the opportunity to take a series of courses that will help you enhance and develop the skills necessary to work effectively in a community setting. These experiences are designed to supplement and enhance the skills you will acquire with your degree in psychology. Regardless of whether you major in psychology, you may be interested in the following certificate program which was put into place beginning with the fall semester, 2009.
What is a "Certificate in Community Psychology?"
If you complete the program you will graduate with a "Certificate in Community Psychology" which will appear on your diploma. The Undergraduate Certificate Program in Community Psychology is designed to provide specialized skill training in community psychology for bachelor's level students planning to enter the work force or enter graduate school after graduation. It provides specialized information that will improve employability or chances of advancement within their current job. The certificate program consists of six courses, five required and one optional. The curriculum is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to function within a community psychology setting, such as a non-profit organization seeking technical assistance. Download Community Psychology Certificate (PDF)?
The five required courses (16 credit hours) in their preferred sequence are:
PSY 323 - Social Psychology
PSY 301 - Psychological Statistics
PSY 302 - Research Methods in Psychology
PSY 406 - Introduction to Community Psychology
PSY 428 - Field Work in Psychology - 3 credit hours (incorporates the completion of
projects under supervision in public and/or private community agencies)
PSY 608 - Special Investigation - 1-3 credit hours - Optional Course involves participation
with a faculty member's research team, aiding in data collection, analyzing data,
reviewing the literature and developing surveys.
Eligible students need not be Psychology majors, but must have a WSU GPA of at least 3.0, both overall and in their Psychology courses. Eligible students must apply to the Community Psychology Coordinator upon completion or current enrollment in PSY 323, 301, 311, and 406. Acceptance in the certificate program will allow enrollment in PSY 428 (which is usually offered during the spring semester).
Faculty Research Interests
Dr. Rhonda Lewis
- Adolescent health and development
- Reducing health disparities
- Program evaluation
- Community responses to sexual assault
- Survivors' social support needs after victimization
- Trauma-informed research methods and ethics