What Is Community Psychology?
Community psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on how individuals relate to their communities and the reciprocal effect of communities on individuals. “Communities” are not only identified as a neighborhood or a geographic region. Schools, church groups, or other organizations are communities that have their own social and psychological dynamics. The community psychology degree program applies knowledge from a variety of fields, including psychology, public health, organizational development, sociology, social work, and others to understand and solve community, organizational, and societal problems.
Through examining these disciplines together, community psychology emphasizes understanding individuals within their social and cultural context and aims to promote community well-being through research and action. The community psychology program focuses on identifying community needs and the development of resources to address those needs, such as using research to determine the need for a food kitchen in a lower-income community.
The community psychology degree program, including the bachelor’s or master’s programs, aims to help those looking to build their community. This psychology program prepares graduates to understand people, their actions, perspectives, and experiences, then leads to a stronger and more supportive community.
Why Choose a Community Psychology Degree at Pacific Oaks?
At Pacific Oaks, we apply well-established community psychology principles and techniques to improve well-being and effectiveness at individual, organizational, and community levels. We do so with an explicit concern for social action, inclusiveness and participation, the value of diversity, collaboration, prevention, and a focus on strengths.
Our Community Psychology program offers two degree programs, the B.A. in Community Psychology and the M.A. in Cultural and Family Studies aims to enhance factors that improve community interaction while limiting detrimental influences in communities, groups, and families.
The psychology program, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, is designed to teach students the skills to identify the needs of a community and design interventions that lead to positive and sustainable results. The bachelor’s and master’s psychology programs are offered on-campus in Pasadena, California. Pacific Oaks does include an online bachelor’s degree in community psychology for students looking to complete the program with a more flexible schedule.Â
Community Psychology Careers
Graduates from the bachelor’s in Community Psychology degree program, both online or on-campus in Pasadenda, California, have a diverse range of career paths and community psychology jobs to choose from. They may find opportunities in higher education or public education; governmental health and human service agencies; law enforcement or probation departments; nonprofit groups, such as community-based organizations, advocacy groups, religious institutions, or neighborhood groups; and public policy organizations, research and evaluation firms, and independent or consulting groups.
Some community psychology jobs may include:
- Credentialed K-12 teacher
- Social and community service manager
- Probation officer
- Correctional treatment specialist
- Residential caseworker
- Peer support specialist
- Behavioral interventionist
- Entry-level counselor
- Special events development manager
- Social media content analyst
- Community parent educator
- Community programs director
- Family support specialist
What Is Cultural and Family Studies?
As part of Pacific Oaks’s Community Psychology area of study, Cultural and Family studies master’s degree addresses the interaction between cultural setting contexts and family structures in an interdisciplinary way. Students in this family studies graduate program will develop an understanding of families across different cultures and societies, while emphasizing cultural competence. Graduates will be prepared for occupations in a range of community and social service settings. This family studies program is well-suited for those who have interest in Marriage and Family Therapy but don’t wish to pursue licensure.
Cultural and Family Studies Careers
Graduates of cultural and family studies master’s programs can pursue a variety of rewarding careers such as leadership or administrative positions in social and community services organizations, establishing themselves as difference makers. Potential careers for degree-holders from family studies graduate programs include:
- Family services manager
- Client services manager
- Family services advocate
- Administrative services manager
- Program manager
- Program coordinator
- Family life educator
- Child welfare specialist
- Human services program director