Doctorate of Philosophy in Community Psychology

National Louis University's Doctorate of Philosophy in Community Psychology aims to develop skills necessary for advanced work at the interface of individuals, organizations, communities, and public policy. Students who enter this program 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 program provides training in quantitative and qualitative methods, grant writing, prevention and intervention, evaluation, advocacy, community development, policy change, and other areas.

Consider getting your Doctorate of Philosophy in Community Psychology at National Louis University (NLU) if you:

• Have a master's degree in psychology or a related field
• Want to address community problems holistically and influence communities and families as well as individuals
• Need flexible options that allow you to balance work and life

Why NLU for Community Psychology

Since 1886, National Louis University has been preparing students for success in serving the needs of others. NLU provides a foundation for those who desire to contribute to the needs of their local and global communities through personal attention and coursework that is both practical and proven. NLU's founders were rooted in community activism. Our Doctorate of Philosophy program continues to carry out this legacy by educating students toward bringing about community change.

NLU provides an environment that values strong community-based experiences as much as academic background and test scores. Your fellow doctoral students will have master's degrees in a variety of disciplines ranging from traditional psychology to business administration. In addition, the dissertation is integrated into the coursework, and the curriculum is designed to be completed more quickly than traditional daytime programs.

What You Will Learn

• Quantitative and qualitative methodological training necessary to conduct quality research
• Strong facilitation skills necessary to partner effectively with a variety of stakeholders within diverse communities
• How to view individuals in the context of family, community, and society
• How to build upon the strengths within the community to alleviate concerns defined by the community
• How to facilitate an empowerment process that leads to sustainable results

Career Outlook

Individuals with a Doctorate of Philosophy in Community Psychology from National Louis University can expect to find employment as researchers, educators, advocates, policy analysts, program developers, evaluators, and organizational consultants. Positions for community psychologists are available within governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, research centers and academic institutions.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet NLU's general admission requirements. Refer to the appropriate application checklist available online at www.nl.edu/applyonline.

In addition to NLU’s general admission requirements, applicants to the Community Psychology program must also submit the following:

• Official transcripts showing completion of a master's degree in psychology or related field
• Verifiable completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores
• Three professional letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant's ability to perform in a doctoral program
• Personal statement describing the applicant's expectations of the program and core beliefs regarding the role of community psychologists
• A written statement reflecting the applicant's research interest (800 words)
• Master's thesis; applicants without a master's thesis will be considered for admission but are required to complete a thesis or thesis equivalent