College of Science and Health > Academics > Psychology > Undergraduate > Psychology (BA) > Concentration Requirements > Community Concentration

Community Concentration

The Community concentration focuses on research and community intervention strategies to address real-world issues, such as violence, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, chronic illness and mental health problems among diverse, at-risk populations. It also provides students with educational and practical skills for scientific and leadership development as community advocates of social justice and empowerment.

The Community concentration prepares graduates to work in collaborative ways with community agencies, nonprofit groups and grass-roots organizations.

Download the Community Psychology Concentration Application.pdf​

Course Requirements

Course Title Quarter Hours
PSY 354COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 14
PSY 356PRINCIPLES OF FIELD RESEARCH AND ACTION (spring/junior year)4
PSY 359FIELD WORK IN COMMUNITY RESEARCH AND ACTION (taken twice: autumn/senior year and winter/senior year)4

There are general areas that community psychology covers: social bases of behavior, social justice, diversity, human development, and public policy. We encourage you to keep these in mind when selecting the final four electives. Make sure to reach out to your advisor as soon as possible to help you plan your curriculum.

Students interested in trauma studies are highly encouraged to take: PSY 372 and PSY 378 as two of the four of their psychology electives.

Open Electives

Open elective credit also is required to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours.

Applications

Applications to the community concentration are due February 18th (winter quarter) of the applicant's junior year.  

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This concentration includes an internship.

Purpose of the Program
The fieldwork experience is an integral component of the Community Psychology Concentration for Psychology majors. Students can earn course credit for fieldwork done outside the classroom and gain practical experience in psychology. This experience can also be helpful in guiding decisions regarding career and graduate school choices.
Upon graduation, Psychology majors will be entering a competitive job market or applying to graduate school. Fieldwork in Community Psychology is one way to help prepare for this transition. This 2-quarter applied experience (PSY 359) will build upon training and skills obtained in previous community courses [Community Psychology (PSY 354) and Principles of Field Research and Action (PSY 356)], as well as the other core psychology courses in this concentration (e.g., diversity courses, research methods, statistics).
 
Program Goals 
The goals of our program are similar to those developed by the Liberal Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Internship Committee. These goals include: 
  • Providing unique training in community psychology, emphasizing collaboration and change strategies to promote well-being.
  • Understanding people within their social, cultural, economic, geographic, and historical contexts.
  • Promoting health and empowerment and preventing problems in communities, groups, and individuals.
  • Providing students with knowledge and practical skills to work effectively in the community.
  • Facilitating the development of students as community advocates of social justice and empowerment.
  • Actively illustrating the relevance of academic work in applied settings.
  • Providing opportunities to apply concepts and ideas learned in community settings.
  • Enhancing students’ employability by providing them with community-based skills and work experiences.

Those students interested in the internship program apply during winter quarter of their junior year. The application deadline is Feb. 18. Download the Community Psychology Concentration Application.pdf. 

A wide range of settings are available, including those which involve working in schools, rehabilitation settings, independent research institutions, and assisting in various community agencies. Working with faculty on community-based research (at DePaul or other institutions) can also serve as a fieldwork experience. During spring quarter of the Junior year, students select their fieldwork agency. Students may have an opportunity to meet some agency supervisors to learn more about the nature of the agencies and the actual internship responsibilities. Most undergraduate fieldwork experiences are unpaid.

Directors:
McMahon, Susan, PhD
Byrne 518
Phone: (773) 325-2039

Olya Glantsman

Jason, Leonard, PhD
Director of Center for Community Research
990 W Fullerton, #3100
Phone: (773) 325-2018

The Internship Program is an integral component of the Community concentration. Students complete an internship to earn course credit for fieldwork done outside the classroom and gain practical, real-world experience in psychology. By working in various environments, students may gain a better understanding regarding career paths and graduate school decisions. Finally, students will be prepared to enter a master's or doctoral program in the field of psychology.

Students interested in the internship program apply during winter quarter of their junior year.

For more information on the Internship Program requirements and for an application, see the Psychology Department.