Mission

We are committed to preparing doctoral students in the minority wellness cluster to become multiculturally competent professionals who focus on overall wellness in diverse communities. We use a holistic model to conceptualize wellness along several dimensions including mental health, physical health and social health. Our model includes wellness factors such as cultural values, worldview, religious/spiritual beliefs, and community centeredness. We use the term minority to represent individuals from various underrepresented populations (e.g. ethnic/racial, gender, sexual, ability-status - for a more complete list please see the sidebar on this website). But we recognize that demographic distinctions do not capture the full spectrum of diversity and strive to prepare students to work with all individuals who live with stress related to a minority status.

Our vision is that multicultural competency is a lifelong commitment that extends far beyond the academy. In an increasingly diverse society, we believe it important that counseling psychologists fully embrace human diversity to optimally function as effective professional healthcare providers. To achieve this vision, our cluster provides our students with opportunities to supplement their classroom education with community engagement, advocacy and multicultural research to develop their lifelong learning and practice.

Expectations of Successful Students

We welcome all students, particularly those with specific interests in and who have a career aspiration to work with underrepresented communities. Previous research, community outreach or volunteer experiences with minority cultures are important for students interested in our cluster. Although a student in a doctoral program develops critical reasoning skills, we also expect successful students to be open to new worldviews, cultures and ways of being.

Required Cluster Courses

Students will complete 12 credit hours beyond the general psychology and core counseling course requirements. Students have some flexibility to choose courses based on their specific interests.

Required

• PSYC5590 Diverse Family Systems

And select THREE of the following:

• PSYC 5200 Psychology of Women and Gender
• PSYC 5670 Behavioral and Biopsychosocial Challenges within LBGT Communities;
• PSYC 6200 Cross-Cultural Psychology
• PSYC 6560 Psychology of Race in the U.S