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Psychology > Graduate Programs > Community & Cultural Psychology

Community & Cultural Psychology

Overview

The Community and Cultural Concentration (CCC) was honored to be one of three graduate programs in North America to receive an Award for Innovation in Graduate Education in Psychology from the American Psychological Association (Board of Educational Affairs and the Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology). The central innovation of the CCC is the systematic integration of community psychology and cultural psychology within a single program. Other innovative features of the program include equal emphasis on qualitative and quantitative methodologies in course requirements, research projects, and practice, and five interdisciplinary Certificate options. All of these features are designed to support the integration of community and cultural psychology.

The CCC is a graduate specialization leading to the Ph.D. in psychology. The importance of multi-disciplinary education is recognized and, therefore, the core CCC curriculum is combined with offerings from other departments at the University of Hawai‘i. This multi-disciplinary curriculum is designed to provide systematic coverage of the major theoretical and empirical work in the field with sufficient flexibility to meet student interests, enthusiasms, and career goals.

The CCC also has a Cooperative Agreement with the graduate program in cross-cultural psychology at the University of Victoria in Wellington, New Zealand. This Agreement facilitates student exchanges with opportunities for courses, research, and practica. Students who complete at least a semester of graduate work at the University of Victoria receive a Certificate recognizing their work at graduation.

The Concentration's multi-disciplinary curriculum, including Certificate options in Conflict Resolution, Interdisciplinary Disabilities Studies, Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, Planning Studies, and Policy Studies, is grounded in an empirical orientation applied to professional activity. The skills people develop, the interpersonal relationships they form, and the organizations and settings in which people participate are regarded as so interwoven that human behavior is best understood as part of its social and cultural fabric. Consistent with this model, professional activities are guided by research and data-based assessment and directed toward social and cultural contexts and settings for the prevention of human problems and the enhancement of social competence. For these reasons, we believe that the CCC offers education relevant to employment and impact in a wide variety of settings, including academic, research, consultation, social services, advocacy, program planning, evaluation, and community development.

The CCC is a nucleus for the collaboration of faculty and students with common scholarly interests. It is an educational and professional specialization based on the scholarly foundations of community and cultural psychology, the enhanced intellectual and professional opportunities inherent in multi-disciplinary education, and the nationwide coordination provided by the SCRA Council of Education Programs (CEP). In this endeavor, we are united by three commitments: (l) a scientist-practitioner approach to the creation and application of knowledge, (2) a multi-disciplinary curriculum, and (3) a scholar-apprentice model of education. We seek to advance knowledge and influence social policy through research and the application of social intervention strategies.

Faculty

The heart of the CCC is the advisor-advisee relationship. This relationship is viewed as an apprenticeship in which a faculty advisor supervises each student's research. In many cases, these initial advisors move naturally into the role of thesis and dissertation supervisors. However, as interests develop, students as well as advisors may renegotiate the advisor-student relationship at any time. A statement on faculty-student relationships written by students and faculty is presented in Appendix A.

Charlene Baker (Ph.D. Georgia State University), Associate Professor of Psychology, serves as Director of the CCC. She conducts research on the effects of violence exposure on individuals, families, and communities. In her work, her interests include exploring the need to adapt fieldwork methods and measures so that research findings are valid in different cultural contexts. In particular, her research program focuses on understanding the different factors that contribute to health disparities and economic adversity among women and children who have been exposed to domestic violence. She seeks to identify the types of resources, both formal systems and informal social networks, which may alleviate these disparities. She is also interested in the intersection between violence exposure and homelessness. Her current work seeks to examine risk and protective factors that are associated with the high rates of homelessness in Hawai‘i. Recent publications include such topics as: violence and PTSD; intimate partner violence and homelessness; the need for culturally competent programs and services; and health consequences of disaster exposure. (bakercha@hawaii.edu)

Dharm P. S. Bhawuk (Ph. D. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Affiliate Graduate Faculty member in Psychology, is a Professor of Management in the Shidler College of Business Administration. He has research interests in indigenous psychology and management, cross-cultural training, intercultural sensitivity, diversity in the workplace, individualism and collectivism, culture and creativity, and spirituality. He is originally from Nepal, and has published more than 50 papers and book chapters and made more than 150 presentations internationally at conferences and universities. He has edited special issues of journals on Globalization and Diversity (IJIR, 2008, volume 32, no. 4) and Indian Psychology (PDS, 2010, volume 22, no. 1). He is author of the forthcoming book Spirituality, Indian Psychology and the Bhagavad-Gita (Springer, 2010) and co-editor of the book Asian Contributions to Cross-Cultural Psychology (Sage, 1996). He has received many awards including Best Paper Award from the Academy of Management (2009 and 1996), the Distinguished Service Award from the East West Center (1989), and the Lum Yup Key Outstanding MBA Student Award from the University of Hawai‘i (1990). He is a Founding Fellow of the International Academy for Intercultural Research and was H Smith Richardson, Jr. Visiting Fellow, Center for Creative Leadership for 2009-10. (bhawuk@hawaii.edu)

Velma A. Kameoka (Ph.D., University of Hawai‘i), Professor of Psychology, has research interests that include measurement and assessment issues in mental health and substance use among ethnic minorities; risk for substance abuse and related psychosocial problems among Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs); cultural conceptions of mental health and help-seeking; and psychometric and methodological issues in cross-cultural research. Examples of recent publications include: (a) Cultural differences in illness schema: An analysis of Filipina and American illness attributions (Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology); (b) Perceived control, self-reinforcement, and depression among Asian and Caucasian American elders (Journal of Applied Gerontology); (c) Psychometric evaluation of measures for assessing the effectiveness of family-focused substance abuse prevention intervention among Pacific-Island families and children (DHHS, U.S. GPO); and (d) Assessing children for posttraumatic stress symptoms after disaster: The Kauai Recovery Index (Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease). (velmak@hawaii.edu)

Ashley E. Maynard (Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles), Associate Professor of Psychology, conducts research broadly focused on the interplay of culture and human development. Her primary research interests are in the areas of sibling socialization, the impact of the daily routine on development, culture and the development of the self, and cultural learning environments varying from home to school. She uses both ethnographic and experimental methods to examine developmental processes in the context of culture. She has been conducting research in a Mayan field site since 1995. Dr. Maynard supervises students conducting research in Hawaii and Mexico in the areas of cultural, developmental, and community psychology. Some student research topics include: the relationship between adolescents' daily routines and the risk for juvenile delinquency or school dropout; home-school-community connections in a local Samoan community; Samoan mother-infant interactions; and moral development. Dr. Maynard has received awards for her research from the New York Academy of Sciences (James McKeen Cattell award) and APA Division 7. (amaynard@hawaii.edu)

CCC Emeritus Faculty

Anthony Marsella (Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University), Emeritus Professor of Psychology, has research interests in psychosocial and ethnocultural aspects of psychopathology, especially schizophrenia, depression, and PTSD. In more recent years, he has expanded his interest to issues of global peace and social justice, including the topics of cultures of war and international conflicts. For 20 years, he served as Director of the World Health Organization Psychiatric Research Center in Honolulu (one of 15 worldwide centers for the study of severe mental disorders) and as Director of the University of Hawai‘i Center of Excellence Collaborative Certificate Program for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance. He has published 14 edited volumes and 200 chapters, journal articles, technical reports, and popular pieces and served as a senior editor for the APA/Oxford Press Encyclopedia of Psychology. Dr. Marsella received the APA Award for the International Advancement of Psychology in 1997 and was awarded an honorary doctorate - Doctoris Honoris Causas - from the University of Copenhagen for his contributions to cultural and international studies. In 2003, he received the APA Division 52 Distinguished International Psychologist Award and, in 2004, the Presidential Award for Lifetime Contributions to the Advancement of Asian-American Psychology from the Asian American Psychological Association. He served as president of the Psychologists for Social Responsibility and remains an active voice addressing community social problems. He is a Fellow of numerous APA divisions. Retired from UH in 2003, he now lives in Atlanta where he continues to be active in professional and community activities. (marsella@hawaii.edu)

Clifford R. O'Donnell (Ph.D., University of Kentucky), Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He is a Fellow in the Society of Community Research and Action (APA Division 27), former Chair of the Council of Program Directors in Community Research and Action, and a member of the Scientific Board of The Melissa Institute for the Prevention and Treatment of Violence (FL), and of the Board of Directors of the Intermountain Centers for Human Development (AZ). His interests are in juvenile delinquency, social networks, cultural compatibility, and programs for at-risk youths. Recent publications are on the topics of delinquency prevention, school violence, youth mentoring, cultural community psychology, and employment opportunities in community psychology. His books include Culture, Peers, and Delinquency (2003) and Culture and Context in Human Behavior Change: Theory, Research, and Applications (2005) with Lois Yamauchi. He received recognition from the Melissa Institute for his “Dedication and Support” in the prevention of violence (1998) and an award from the Council of Program Directors in Community Research and Action for his “Outstanding Contributions to Training and Education in Community Research and Action” (2001). He served as President of the Society of Community Research and Action (APA Division 27) for 2004-2005. (cliffo@hawaii.edu)

Roland G. Tharp (Ph.D., University of Michigan), Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the Universities of Hawai‘i and California, won the Grawemeyer Award in 1993, for the book Rousing Minds to Life, based on twenty years' work as Principal Investigator of the Kamehameha Early Education Program (KEEP). His research and theory in the fields of psychotherapy, behavior therapy, family relationships, human development, education, culture, and linguistic diversity span 40 years and 250 publications. Behavior Modification in the Natural Environment, a study of intervention strategies for pre-delinquents, was in print for twenty years and is a recurrent Citations Classic. Currently, he is Research Professor and Senior Scientist of the National Center for Research on Education, Diversity & Excellence (CREDE) at the University of California, Berkeley. Major awards have been made to his fiction, poetry and films, and to his teaching. In 2006, he received the University of Hawai‘i College of Social Sciences Award for Distinguished Retired Faculty. (tharp@berkeley.edu)

Research

Students are continually involved in research during their participation in the CCC. This involvement typically begins with student collaboration in a faculty research project, proceeds to a master’s thesis, and continues to an independent dissertation. This ongoing research relationship is given formal status by each student's enrollment in Community Psychology Research (PSY 789) with his or her advisor, Thesis Research (PSY 700), or Dissertation Research (PSY 800). It is expected that students complete their master's thesis by the end of their second year in the program.

Curriculum

The Graduate Division requires a minimum of 30 credits for the master's degree in psychology, including 6-12 credits of thesis research. There are no Graduate Division credit requirements for the Ph.D., but all students are required to process the Graduate Division Student Progress Forms (Appendix B). The Department of Psychology has additional course requirements for the M.A. and the Ph.D.

The minimum course requirements for the Ph.D. in the CCC strive for a balance of core knowledge in community and cultural psychology, qualitative methodology, multi-disciplinary perspective, and flexibility. The requirements are (a) eight community and culture courses: Cultural Community Psychology (PSY 680), Practicum: Behavior Changes Community Issues (PSY 682); three semesters of Seminar in Community (PSY 781): Culture and Development, Qualitative Research Methods, and Community Interventions; and four of the following five courses (though students may petition two of the four with different courses that fit their interests): Program Evaluation (PSY 781), International Cultural Studies (CUL 610), Cross-Cultural Management (MGT 701), Intercultural Communication (COM 643), and Intercultural Training and Intervention (COM 646), (b) an advanced statistics course (e.g., PSY 612), and (c) five to six elective graduate courses, used to meet the requirements for a Certificate in Conflict Resolution, Disabilities Studies, Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, Planning Studies, or Policy Studies (see descriptions below).

For the required practicum course (PSY 682), students develop their own arrangements for practicum experience in consultation with their advisor. Practicum experience is arranged with a practicum site for the express purpose of fulfilling the practicum requirement. The student meets with the site supervisor and they jointly determine the nature of the experience, the duties and responsibilities, scheduling of practicum hours, supervision times, etc. When all of these details have been established, they are communicated to the student’s advisor and the CCC Director for review and approval.

Comprehensive examinations are required for the Ph.D. This exam is two parts. Part I consists of readings in community and cultural psychology; Part II consists of readings in the student’s area of interest (selected by the student and approved by the student’s advisor), with the goal of helping students prepare for their dissertation research.

To accommodate individual curriculum designs, students may petition the faculty for waivers and exceptions to the CCC requirements. An example of how course requirements may be integrated with research requirements and written comprehensive examinations is presented below.

An Example of a Curriculum Sequence (M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology)

In the following illustrative example, it is assumed that the student enters the Concentration with a bachelor's degree and earns a master's degree in psychology at the end of two years. The enrollment in 9 credits each semester is designed to allow for assistantships or employment for 20 hours each week during the academic year. Tuition for summer courses is in addition to any for the academic year. Students may petition to substitute other courses or take more advanced statistics courses than those listed. Courses may be offered in a different semester than those used in this example.

Certificate Options

Students select one of the five Certificate options below. Each option requires 15 credits, including a practicum. The courses selected must be graduate courses, i.e., level 600 or above. Alternatively, students may petition the CCC faculty to substitute 15 graduate credits outside of psychology for the Certificate.

Certificate in Conflict Resolution

The Certificate in Conflict Resolution is offered through the Program on Conflict Resolution in the Matsunaga Institute for Peace. This option requires 15 credits, including two core courses, two electives, and a practicum. A capstone paper is also required. These courses may be used to fulfill the CCC elective requirement.

This Certificate is designed to introduce students to the dynamics of group conflict, how group deliberations may falter, skills for organizing and leading group deliberations, and designing culturally appropriate dispute resolution processes. Additional information may be obtained at http://www.peaceinstitute.hawaii.edu/degrees-and-certificates.html.

Interdisciplinary Certificate in Disability Studies

The Interdisciplinary Certificate in Disability Studies is a graduate level program offered by the Center on Disability Studies (CDS) in the College of Education. "Students participate in interdisciplinary experiences with the goal to acquire skills in joint planning, decision-making, goal setting and to understand contemporary disability and diversity issues, research, and effective practices from a social, political, cultural and historical context."

This option requires 15 credits, including two core courses, two electives, and a practicum. These courses may be used to fulfill the CCC elective requirement. Additional information is available at http://www.cds.hawaii.edu/main/certificates.

Certificate in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (DMHA)

The Certificate in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance is offered with the College of Social Sciences at the University of Hawai‘i. This option requires 15 credits, including a DMHA foundation course and a field practicum. The remaining courses are selected from a variety of offerings. These courses may be used to fulfill the CCC elective requirement.

This option, international in scope with an Asian-Pacific focus, is designed to help prepare students to meet the urgent needs of disaster management and humanitarian assistance. Additional information may be obtained at http://www.hawaii.edu/graduatestudies/fields/html/departments/cd/dmha/dmha.htm#deg_requirements.

Certificate in Planning Studies

The Certificate in Planning Studies option is offered with the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Hawai‘i. This option requires five courses, including Planning Theory (PLAN 600), Planning Methods (PLAN 601) or Planning Models (PLAN 605), and Planning Practicum (PLAN 751). The remaining two courses are selected in consultation with the Director of the Planning Studies Certificate Program. These courses may be used to fulfill the CCC elective requirement.

The goal of this option is to combine the theoretical and applied emphases of the field of community policy and program planning with the theoretical and applied emphases in development and enhancement of social environments in community and cultural psychology. This option helps to prepare students for careers in social policy and program planning. Additional information may be obtained at http://www.durp.hawaii.edu/Cert. Planning Studies.html.

Certificate in Policy Studies

The Certificate in Policy Studies is offered through the College of Social Sciences. This option requires 16 credits, including three core courses, one elective, an internship, and a final integration seminar.

The goal of this Certificate is to prepare students for leadership in public affairs, involvement in the community, and the application of skills and technology to public issues. Additional information may be obtained at http://www.publicpolicycenter.hawaii.edu/program.html.

Financial Support

All applicants for admission to the CCC are automatically considered for financial support. Potential sources include teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and tuition waivers. Applicants with an interest in disabilities are encouraged, so they may be considered for research assistantships with the Center on Disability Studies. Additional information is available from the University Financial Aid Services: http://www.hawaii.edu/fas.

Application

Consistent with the multi-disciplinary character of the CCC, applications are encouraged not only from psychology majors, but also from those who have majored in such disciplines as anthropology, criminology, cultural studies, developmental disabilities, geography, government, history, political science, public health, sociology, and urban and regional planning, and have at least 12 credits in psychology.

Application may be made online at https://apply.hawaii.edu. Forms may also be downloaded from http://www.hawaii.edu/graduate/download/list.htm or obtained from the Graduate Division of the University of Hawai‘i and the Department of Psychology. The completed application form and transcripts should be addressed to the Graduate Division. Three letters of recommendation and GRE scores should be forwarded to the Department of Psychology with a note that you wish to apply to the Community and Cultural Concentration. All application materials must be mailed so that they are received by December 1. Students are admitted only for the Fall semester and are usually notified by April 1.

Important information about the University of Hawai‘i is available in the General Information Catalog. The catalog is available online http://www.catalog.hawaii.edu and through the University of Hawai‘i Bookstore. In addition, degree requirements and other important information are available from the Department of Psychology: http://www.psychology.hawaii.edu. Information for international students is available at http://www.hawaii.edu/issmanoa. Additional questions about the CCC may be addressed to the Director (bakercha@hawaii.edu).