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What programs, extracurriculars, or resources do you recommend for someone interested in going to graduate school for community psychology?
I'm currently an undergraduate student with five years of experience in nonprofit and community development hoping to go to graduate school with a focus on clinical and community psychology. Unfortunately, because I invested so much in community development I don't have much experience in psychology outside of class experience! I would love to learn more about potential pathways I can take in order to get some more experience as I consider my options for graduate school. Thank you!
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Angelica, please understand that your background in nonprofit and community development provides a strong and meaningful foundation for graduate study in community psychology—especially given the field's emphasis on social justice, systems change, and community-based interventions. While it’s true that many graduate programs look for applicants with research or clinical psychology experience, there are several strategic ways you can strengthen your profile and bridge the gap between your community work and academic preparation.
First, Angelica, consider joining psychology-focused student organizations or national associations like Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology - www.psichi.org, even if your school doesn’t have a chapter. These organizations offer networking opportunities, access to research presentations, and even funding for conference attendance or research projects. Volunteering or interning with organizations that provide mental health services—such as Crisis Text Line - www.crisistextline.org or NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness, www.nami.org/Support-Education)—can also be a great way to gain practical experience in mental health and crisis response, even on a flexible schedule.
Academically, Angelica, you might want to explore research assistant positions in your university’s psychology department. Even if you haven’t done research yet, your five years of community development work likely reflect transferable skills like data collection, program evaluation, and working with underserved populations—skills highly valued in community psychology research. Don’t hesitate to email faculty members whose research interests align with your goals; express your passion for learning and describe how your community background can contribute to their work. You can search faculty interests on university websites or platforms like ResearchGate - www.researchgate.net.
Additionally, enrolling in online courses or certificate programs related to clinical, counseling, or community psychology can strengthen your theoretical background. For instance, Coursera - www.coursera.org and edX - www.edx.org offer courses taught by professors from top universities, including classes in psychological first aid, abnormal psychology, or program evaluation in community settings. For hands-on training, look into trauma-informed care workshops, Motivational Interviewing (MI) certification, or Mental Health First Aid - www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org, all of which are valuable in both clinical and community contexts.
Finally, Angelica, please consider attending professional conferences like the Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) Biennial Conference - www.scra27.org, which is the Division 27 of the American Psychological Association focused on community psychology. These events provide a platform to learn from leading experts, network with graduate students and faculty, and get inspired by innovative community-based research projects. Even attending virtually can give you insight into current trends and expectations in the field.
While your academic psychology experience may be limited, your real-world impact and passion for community work make you a compelling candidate. By proactively seeking research, clinical exposure, and professional development opportunities, you’ll be well-prepared to make the transition to graduate-level training in clinical and community psychology.
First, Angelica, consider joining psychology-focused student organizations or national associations like Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology - www.psichi.org, even if your school doesn’t have a chapter. These organizations offer networking opportunities, access to research presentations, and even funding for conference attendance or research projects. Volunteering or interning with organizations that provide mental health services—such as Crisis Text Line - www.crisistextline.org or NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness, www.nami.org/Support-Education)—can also be a great way to gain practical experience in mental health and crisis response, even on a flexible schedule.
Academically, Angelica, you might want to explore research assistant positions in your university’s psychology department. Even if you haven’t done research yet, your five years of community development work likely reflect transferable skills like data collection, program evaluation, and working with underserved populations—skills highly valued in community psychology research. Don’t hesitate to email faculty members whose research interests align with your goals; express your passion for learning and describe how your community background can contribute to their work. You can search faculty interests on university websites or platforms like ResearchGate - www.researchgate.net.
Additionally, enrolling in online courses or certificate programs related to clinical, counseling, or community psychology can strengthen your theoretical background. For instance, Coursera - www.coursera.org and edX - www.edx.org offer courses taught by professors from top universities, including classes in psychological first aid, abnormal psychology, or program evaluation in community settings. For hands-on training, look into trauma-informed care workshops, Motivational Interviewing (MI) certification, or Mental Health First Aid - www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org, all of which are valuable in both clinical and community contexts.
Finally, Angelica, please consider attending professional conferences like the Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) Biennial Conference - www.scra27.org, which is the Division 27 of the American Psychological Association focused on community psychology. These events provide a platform to learn from leading experts, network with graduate students and faculty, and get inspired by innovative community-based research projects. Even attending virtually can give you insight into current trends and expectations in the field.
While your academic psychology experience may be limited, your real-world impact and passion for community work make you a compelling candidate. By proactively seeking research, clinical exposure, and professional development opportunities, you’ll be well-prepared to make the transition to graduate-level training in clinical and community psychology.