A Vision for the Future of Community Psychology Education and Training |
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| Authors: | Tiffeny R. Jimenez Bernadette Sánchez Susan D. McMahon Judah Viola |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychology, National Louis University, Chicago, IL, USA;2. Department of Psychology, DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA |
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| Abstract: | As we reflect on the founding vision of the field of community psychology in the United States, we assess our progress toward achieving, building upon, and refining this vision. We review early literature regarding the US vision of the field, provide a historical overview of education and training within the field, and provide recommendations to guide and strengthen our approach to education. Our recommendations include the following: 1) serve as a resource to communities, 2) promote a sense of community within our field, 3) diversify students, faculty, and leadership, 4) evaluate our efforts, 5) be current and relevant, 6) enhance the visibility and growth of our field, and 7) create globally minded and innovative CPists. We provide strategies for programs, faculty, linkages between researchers and practitioners, and the Society for Community Research and Action. We conclude that community psychology education and training continues to reflect the early vision; however, we believe we must make more intentional efforts to align with the mission and values of the field, and to engage in a critical analysis of our pedagogy. Enhancing and growing undergraduate and graduate education can facilitate the achievement of our goals to promote social justice, prevent and address social problems, and build community connections to become more effective, impactful, and global social change agents. |
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| Keywords: | Community Psychology Training Diversity Education History Social Change |
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