Become a Change-Agent

Individuals with a background in Community Psychology use their education and skills in roles that serve the community and advance social justice.

About Sage’s Community Psychology Master’s Program

This psychology master’s program is ideal for individuals working in community agencies, who seek a graduate degree but do not wish to pursue licensure as a mental health counselor (LMHC).

As a student in our graduate program in Community Psychology, you’ll complete coursework in community psychology and a research-methods sequence. You’ll add electives in Health Services Administration and areas of interest to you, and complement your coursework with an externship and capstone research. You’ll learn strategies to facilitate change and build program evaluation skills that you will be able to implement in your work right away.

This program does not meet the educational requirements leading to licensure as a mental health counselor or psychologist in New York state. If your goal is to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, please see Russell Sage College’s Master of Arts in Counseling and Community Psychology program.

Special Opportunities

You may opt to add a certificate in Forensic Mental Health. This opportunity is designed for students who want to work in forensic settings, with individuals with both mental
health needs and criminal justice involvement.

Evening Classes, Part-Time Options

Our master’s program in Community Psychology is convenient for working adults. Classes are held on Russell Sage College’s campuses in Troy and Albany, New York. Most classes are offered in the evenings; some weekend or reduced-seat-time classes are available.

Most students complete the master’s program in Community Psychology in two years by taking three classes during fall and spring semesters and one in the summer.

Faculty

As a Community Psychology graduate student, you will learn from respected practitioners and scientists, with expertise in:

  • Developmental psychology
  • Cognition and memory
  • Close relationships
  • Counseling and positive psychology
  • Biopsychology and evolutionary psychology
  • Statistical analysis/research design
  • Community psychology
  • Intimate partner violence
  • Multicultural, diversity and indigenous issues
  • Environmental concerns

“We hear from people who hire our psychology master’s students that they are prepared, they know what they’re doing, they are professionals.”

Gayle Morse, Ph.D., Professor

Spotlights Pattern

Careers with a Master’s Degree in Community Psychology

This psychology master’s degree will prepare you for rewarding and meaningful work that builds a stronger community.

Individuals with a background in Community Psychology are hired by state and county agencies, health care systems, universities, school districts, human service agencies and more.

Learning Experience

Hands-on experiences in community agencies and a research project will complement your Community Psychology coursework and provide opportunities for professional development.

Externships and Research

You will put your new intervention, facilitation and program evaluation skills into practice at an externship. Recent externs have developed outreach programs and designed and implemented program evaluations. You will also conduct original research that you present at Russell Sage College’s Graduate Research Symposium. You may be eligible for research funding from Russell Sage College’s Broughton Graduate Fellowship or Paul Search Research Award in Community Psychology.


Program Objectives

The master’s program in Community Psychology curriculum includes coursework in community psychology and research methods as well as electives in Health Services Administration and areas of special interest to you. You’ll complement this coursework with an externship and capstone research experience. With your master’s degree in Community Psychology, you will be ready for professional roles in a range of fields that serve the community and advance social justice.

Application Requirements

Applicants to Russell Sage College’s master’s program who didn’t major in Psychology should have completed undergraduate courses in statistics, history and systems of psychology and three additional courses in behavioral sciences.

Please include the following items with your with your application to Russell Sage College’s master’s program in Counseling and Community Psychology:

  • official transcripts from all the post-secondary institutions you attended
  • two letters of recommendation,
  • one-to-two page essay describing your career goals
  • resume

Students are accepted for the fall semesters. Priority deadline for fall admission is March 15. Final deadline for fall admission is June 1.

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Have questions about a Community Psychology master’s degree?

Associate Professor, Chair and Graduate Program Director