MA in Community Psychology

This 39-42 credit Master of Arts in Community Psychology focuses on the systems, practices and tools needed to effectively address mental health and community welfare issues.

Students from Program Evaluation present their findings at the 2008 Graduate Research Symposium

The goals of the program are to :

• Reorient the student's thinking from individually-focused to more community-focused and systems-oriented models
• Train the student in a variety of prevention and intervention strategies to facilitate behavior change in community settings
• Train the student to evaluate the progress of social service, educational, and other helping programs
• Provide the student with evaluation, assessment, and consultation skills.

Students may pursue a General Track or focus their studies by selecting tracks in either Children's Services or Community Health Education. A Certificate program in Gerontology is available to Community Psychology students through the Sage Department of Nursing and requires a separate application.

Course schedules are flexible and include evening and weekend options to meet the needs of working students. See current list of adjunct faculty.

Note: Admission to the New York State psychologist licensure examination requires a Ph.D. in psychology. The Community Psychology degree does not meet the educational requirements for licensure as a MHC in New York State.

Program Design

The program consists of a community psychology core, required for all students, combined with one track selected from three available: general track, child care/children's services track, or community health education track. The admission and completion requirements may vary depending upon the track selected.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the community psychology program must meet the general admission requirements:

1. For all tracks:

   1. Official transcripts of ALL previous undergraduate/graduate study.
   2. Two letters of reference (academic or professional).
   3. Undergraduate courses in statistics, history and systems of psychology (not required for undergraduate psychology majors), and at least three other courses in behavioral sciences.
   4. Satisfactory "Personal Prospectus" statement regarding rationale for interest in the program.
   5. Current Resume

2. In addition, for specific tracks:

   1. For Family and Children's Services track: one year of experience in a child care agency and 24 undergraduate credits in psychology including statistics, and history and systems of psychology.
   2. For General track and Community Health Education track, there are no additional admission requirements.

Applicants who meet all admission requirements will be admitted as regular graduate students. Those who do not fully meet the requirements may be admitted on a provisional basis if they show high promise for success in the program.

Degree Requirements

1. Completion of all required and elective courses.
2. Completion of externship in community settings.
3. Completion of a thesis (3 -6 credit hours) or research seminar (3 credit hours).

Community Psychology Program Summary

Capstone Requirements: