So you think you want a career in … Community Psychology
What are the best resources for me to learn about this area?
Take the Community Psychology course (48.340).
Read Pathways to the Helping Professions
Talk with Dr. Dalton about your interests and possible careers in community psychology.
Will I need a degree beyond my bachelor’s degree? Yes. You can pursue community psychology with either a master’s or doctoral degree. Your training can be solely in community psychology or combined with clinical psychology.
What types of employment will I be qualified for?
Master’s-level:
Administering/directing community programs in human services, mental health, prevention, community education, health promotion, and community development. Examples: Director of a mental health agency; Director of a United Way; Director of a women’s shelter.
Clinical/counseling work in community programs with children or adults, with a community/preventive perspective. Example: Prevention program coordinator and part-time clinician in a mental health center.
Organizational training and development, with nonprofit groups or businesses. Example: Leading workshops for employees on diversity issues or conflict resolution.
Doctoral-level:
University teaching and/or research on social/community issues.
Government or philanthropic foundation research or administration on social/community issues.
Administering/directing community agencies or organizations (see above).
Policy advocacy for legal/social change efforts, e.g. with a coalition for homeless families.
Some doctoral programs offer dual interdisciplinary training in community psychology and law, urban planning, gerontology, or child/family studies.
What courses should I take while at Bloomsburg University to prepare me for this career field? Should I take a minor or a concentration?
Community Psychology (48.340). Otherwise get a well-rounded background in scientific psychology.
Community psychology is a good match for students with an interdisciplinary interest in social issues. A minor or concentration in Women’s Studies, Ethnic Studies, or a similar area of interest would be one good way to do this. Upper-level (300-400) courses in another social science discipline would also be helpful.
Obtain experience through volunteer community service, Practicum, or summer jobs working in community programs. The best ones are those working with individuals different from you in terms of age, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or other dimension of human diversity. Community experience deepens your understanding of communities and strengthens your application for graduate study.
Within the Psychology Department, who is most knowledgeable about this area?
Dr. Dalton
Interesting Internet Sites
Society for Community Research and Action, http://www.scra27.org/
Website of the international professional body of community psychology. Information on SCRA mission and goals, membership benefits, interest groups, listserves, graduate schools and job opportunities in community psychology, conferences and activities (including those for students). The best website on community psychology.
The Community Psychology Net, http://www.communitypsychology.net
Information about community psychology research, action, and graduate education, with links to other community psychology sites.
The Social Psychology Network: Community Psychology, http://www.socialpsychology.org/community.htm
The community psychology page of the Social Psychology Network website. Information on journals, books, careers and graduate programs, service learning, teaching resources, and other topics.
Community Tool Box, http://ctb.ku.edu
Excellent site for learning about citizen participation and planning community change, maintained by community psychologists. Includes tools and recommendations for planning, implementing, and evaluating community initiatives, and links to many related sites. The best website for practical tips and planning for community and social change.
Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, http://www.CASEL.org
Psychologists for Social Responsibility, http://www.psysr.org
An organization of psychologists concerned with international and U.S. social issues, including peace and war, ethnopolitical violence, conflict resolution, social justice, and other issues. Includes entries on scholarly works and action initiatives, and links to other organizations.