About the Ph.D. in Philosophy in Community Psychology
National Louis University's Doctorate of Philosophy in Community Psychology aims to develop skills necessary to promote positive change at a systemic level between individuals, organizations and communities.
Throughout the program, you will gain essential psychological, research and collaborative skills to address an array of social problems including, but not limited to, poverty, affordable housing, urban education, child abuse, substance abuse, violence, health and the environment. The Ph.D. in Community Psychology provides training in quantitative and qualitative methods, grant writing, prevention and intervention, evaluation, advocacy, community development, policy change and other areas. The program can prepare you for jobs as an educator, professor, program director, policy developer, consultant or researcher within universities, government agencies and community organizations, among other fields.
Program Highlights
Research-Focused Curriculum
Delve into research on topics that interest you. We build research directly into the curriculum so you are working on a subject you’re passionate about, not fulfilling someone else’s criteria.
Career Enhancement
Build on your previous academic work or transition into a new field. Whether you have a Master’s degree in Psychology or any other field, our Ph.D. program will help you hone your interests and reach your career goals.
Real-World Expertise
Learn from faculty with years of on-the-ground experience as community psychologists working with nonprofits, community organizations, and international universities to address a variety of social, political and cultural issues. Our faculty are also renowned scholars and active researchers in the field.
Community Impact
Make a difference by applying your research toward helping communities, nonprofit agencies, and social service organizations. Past students' research topics have included “The African Immigrant Experience,” “Children Success with Diverse Childhood Experiences," and “African American Women and Help Seeking Behaviors.”
Faculty Profiles:
What You Will Learn
The Ph.D. in Community Psychology requires 69-72 semester hours for completion, along with an internship and a dissertation. You’ll start by learning the foundational principles of community psychology and the history of the field, as well as how your own interests fit within the discipline. Additional highlights of what you’ll learn include:
Research Methodology
Qualitative and quantitative methodology; Building strong research questions and hypotheses; Compiling literature reviews; Experimental research design; Operationalizing variables; Conducting focus groups; Interviewing and compiling data; Observation and analysis.
Planning and Policy
Evaluating community planning practices; Asset mapping; Advocacy and equity planning; Gentrification and displacement; Program evaluation; Needs assessment, impact assessment, and cost analysis.
Communication Skills
Academic writing; Grant writing; APA style; Crafting a research presentation; Visual displays; Dissertation writing; Communicating research findings; Developing a written argument; Writing a research proposal.
Society and Culture
Strategies for addressing social problems; Cultural impact on community organizing; Cross-cultural relationships; Working within diverse communities; Cultural Competency Framework; Racial and ethnic divisions; Government, private, and resident interests.
Leadership and Change
Community organizing; Building relationships and organizations; Utilizing social media; Government and nonprofit organizations’ influence; Leading change within an organization; Organizational culture; Social Marketing; Thought leadership.
Career Outlook
With a Ph.D. in Community Psychology, you can find employment as a researcher, educator, advocate, policy analyst, program developer, evaluator and organizational consultant. Positions for community psychologists are available within governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, research centers and academic institutions.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions for Social and Community Service Managers are expected to increase 17 percent from 2019-2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.* Moreover, Illinois is among the top 5 states for employment of Social and Community Service Managers. Additionally, Policy Analyst positions are expected to grow 6 percent during this period and Social Work positions are projected to grow 13 percent.
A Ph.D. in Community Psychology will set you up for careers in these fields, as well:
- Counseling
- Community Organizing
- Nonprofit Management
- Higher Education
- Social Services
- Human Services Administration
*https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm
