Psychology, Community

College of Liberal Arts
Department of Psychology
(907) 474-7007
www.uaf.edu/psych/

B.A., B.S., M.A. Degree

Minimum Requirements for Degree: Option A: 30 credits; Option B: 48 credits

Admission to the M.A. program in community psychology is suspended for the 2006-07 academic year.

Downloadable PDF (62K)

The Department of Psychology offers an M.A. degree in community psychology. Doctoral study in psychology is only available through the interdisciplinary studies program of the Graduate School. Interdisciplinary programs in psychology are housed within the Department of Psychology.

The focus of this department is to provide breadth and depth in the science and profession of psychology with a commitment to honoring diversity and promoting human welfare. The curriculum develops cross-cultural knowledge, critical thinking, imagination, creativity, ethical principles, concern for social justice, as well as respect for and knowledge of diverse perspectives that include feminist, multicultural, indigenous, gay and lesbian.

In addition to active engagement in the classroom, students participate in research and community service. Programs in psychology facilitate an understanding of the human experience as interaction of biological, psychological, social and cultural processes.

The community psychology program trains master's-level practitioners in mental health and community development who can work sensitively and effectively in cross-cultural community contexts, particularly in Alaska Native settings in rural areas and urban settings with multicultural populations.

The graduate program attempts to meet the demand for trained mental health professionals in rural Alaska; however, graduates have also found employment in rural America and internationally.

The program prepares individuals who are interested in strengthening a sense of community and promoting the assets of communities as resources for primary prevention. The objectives of the program are:

1. To train master's-level psychologists for rural and cross-cultural settings.
2. To place master's-level psychologists in human and social service agencies in Alaska in both rural and semi-urban areas having large cross-cultural and rural populations.
3. To provide in-service and continuing education for mental health professionals with a special emphasis on rural and cross-cultural issues.

The program prepares generalists who are capable of designing and evaluating community-based interventions, facilitating social change and prevention, individual counseling, assessment and diagnosis. Students are expected to become cross-culturally competent in those areas critical for a rural community psychologist. The program is practice-oriented and seeks to educate reflective practitioners who can integrate theory and practice and have the requisite research skills to facilitate change at the individual and community level.

Graduate Program--M.A. Degree

1. Complete the following admission requirements:
   1. Students are accepted in the spring for the fall semester. Contact the department for application deadline, application packet and required supplementary materials. Notification of admission will occur prior to the end of the spring semester.
   2. Completion of the baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in counseling, psychology, sociology, social work, human services, education or a related helping profession. Student with other undergraduate backgrounds may be accepted, but must complete the necessary undergraduate prerequisites as delineated by their advisor prior to advancement to candidacy. These prerequisites include abnormal psychology, developmental, social or community psychology, research methods, and statistics. It is strongly recommended that students complete these prerequisite courses before beginning their graduate course work.
   3. Have a GPA of 3.00 or higher and/or evidence of personal and professional suitability for community psychology work, and have an interest in rural practice. In part, this will be inferred from the applicant's academic and employment history, and an interview when possible.
   4. A statement of career goals and how the M.A. degree program fits these goals (see application packet for specific instructions regarding statement).
   5. Three letters of reference with recommender forms (supplied in application packet), endorsing the applicant's admission to the community psychology program.
   6. If enrolling as a part-time student, applicant must enroll in at least 1 required course during the first semester, and register for at least 6 credits each academic year.
2. Complete the general university requirements.
3. Complete the master's degree requirements.
4. Complete Option A or Option B:
   Option A:
   1. Complete the following core program courses:*
      PSY 630--Community Psychology--3 credits
      PSY 631--Community Psychology: Cross-Cultural Applications and the Ethics of Change--3 credits
      PSY 635--Field-Based Research Methods--3 credits
      PSY 636--Program Evaluation--3 credits
      PSY 650/COUN 650--Cross-Cultural Psychopathology--3 credits
      PSY 660/COUN 623--Counseling Theories and Applications I--3 credits
      PSY 662--Clinical Team/Practice--3 credits
      PSY 678--Multicultural Psychological Assessment--3 credits
      PSY 698--Project (6) or PSY 699--Thesis (6)--6 credits
   2. Minimum credits required--30
   Option B:
   1. Students desiring a master's degree that allows them to be eligible for licensure as a Psychological Associate in the state of Alaska must complete Option A and the following additional 18 credits:*
      PSY 644--Advanced Multicultural Lifespan Development--3 credits
      PSY 647/COUN 647--Professional Ethics--3 credits
      PSY 661/COUN 660--Cross-Cultural Counseling--3 credits
      PSY 666/COUN 666--Family and Network Therapy--3 credits
      PSY 674/COUN 674--Group Counseling--3 credits
      Approved electives--3 credits
   2. Minimum credits required--48

*Student must earn a B grade or better in each course.