The Applied Community Psychology Specialization equips students with psychological skills that are targeted toward non-individually oriented topics, such as community and organizational change, development and evaluation of community-based programs, and community-based education and training. The specialization attracts students in who have a deep, abiding commitment to the wellness and stability of the communities in which they live and work. The specialization emphasizes training community professionals who work in the public or private sector with diverse gender, ethnic, economic, and sexual orientation populations.

Students in the specialization are encouraged to be innovative designers of interventions, practitioners, and evaluators. Rather than emphasizing treatment, training focuses on prevention, wellness promotion, and empowerment, with a range of diverse populations. In a year-long course sequence, field study, and supplemental workshops, students learn the theory and application of prevention, promotion, program development, program evaluation, consultation, collaboration, psychoeducational programs, and in-service training through a series of community-based projects and activities.