Diversity Science Specialization
The goal of this specialization is to provide graduate students throughout the Psychology Department with a vehicle through which they can augment their understanding of human behavior through coursework and training that articulates and assesses: (1) the differing perspectives of diverse groups and how these perspectives intersect; (2) the synergistic effects associated with increased recognition and embracing of diversity; (3) the consequences associated with resistance to embracing diversity; and (4) the ways in which psychological theories and services can be developed and applied in ways that usefully and positively impact diverse communities. We consider human diversity as referring to groups of people who experience themselves as differing on one or more of a variety of dimensions including race, culture, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, economic class, and disability status. Students who complete the requirements for this specialization are expected to 1) understand how the experiences of diverse populations have been or could be reflected in research relevant to their major area of study and 2) have sufficient understanding of the relationship between diversity and psychological issues that they can readily utilize such information in teaching courses in one or more areas of psychology.
Requirements
1. Successful completion of at least three courses which focus on the relationship between diverse populations and some aspect(s) of psychology.
1A. At least two of these courses must be offered through the psychology department at the 400 or 500 level. Department courses which meet the diversity specialization requirements will be labeled as such by the faculty offering the courses on a quarter by quarter basis.
1B. One of the required courses may be taken outside the Psychology Department. This course can be selected from a pre-approved list of diversity related courses or the student may seek the approval of a Diversity Science faculty member to use an unlisted course to fulfill this requirement.
2. After the completion of required coursework, the student will prepare a capstone paper or presentation demonstrating their expertise and understanding of diversity issues in psychology. This paper may take one of 3 forms:
1. a critical review of research on diverse populations in their area of scholarly interest OR
2. a research proposal for or empirical paper reporting original studies assessing the relationship between diverse populations and a psychological phenomenon or issue relevant to the students scholarly interests OR
3. a prospectus for a course related to diversity science that the student might teach during their career.
The paper will be reviewed and approved by 2 members of the diversity specialization faculty.
Application
Documentation of Completion of the Diversity Specialization [printable .pdf]
