Cultural and individual diversity play a central role in psychological phenomena and professional practice. The APA states that cultural and individual diversity includes but is not limited to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, and social economic status.
UNCW’s General Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program infuses diversity into its didactic and experiential training. This training is based on the multicultural conceptual and theoretical frameworks of worldview, identity, and acculturation, rooted in the diverse social, cultural, and political contexts of society, and integrated into the science and practice of psychology.
Students are trained to respect diversity and be competent in addressing diversity in all professional activities including research, training, supervision/consultation, and service.
Students develop competencies to prepare them to serve diverse individuals in our local community, and also to work with diverse individuals elsewhere, long after completion of their training. The acquisition of knowledge and competencies related to diversity are evaluated throughout the program by a variety of measures, including course grades and practicum supervisor ratings.
There are a variety of ways faculty and students contribute to efforts to create a supportive and welcoming learning environment and departmental climate. The Psychology Department Diversity Committee is comprised of faculty and students that plan and coordinate events and implement initiatives including guest speakers, experiential projects, curricular reviews, and networking with on-and off-campus organizations that promote diversity.
