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 Psychological Aspects of Marriage/Family Interaction
- PSYC5900 Special Problems
This Special Problems course can be a research project, a practicum experience or a community engagement project that focuses on a specific minority group selected by the student. The course must be approved by the Advisor.]
And select TWO of the following:
- PSYC 5200 Psychology of Women and Gender
- PSYC 6200 Cross-Cultural Psychology
- PSYC 6200 Psychology of Race in the United States
- EPSY6280 Qualitative Research in Education
The following courses offered in other departments at UNT may fulfill the MW Cluster's requirements with the approval of the student's advisor (note: online courses will not be accepted).
- RHAB5710 Multicultural Rehab
- RHAB5715 Disability/Human Development
- COUN 5540 Women's Emotional Health
- WMST 5200 Contemporary Issues in Global Feminisms
- PHIL 5300 Social and Political Philosophy
- PHIL 6560 Religion and Philosophy (or alternate graduate level religion course subject to committee approval)
Click here to view faculty.