The ACP Specialization consists of 17 units of study that are integrated into students’ program of study in the MA Psychology Programs.  The Specialization may be completed by students in both the Clinical MFT Program and the MA Individualized Concentration (MPIC).  Courses in the specialization provide students with a set of skills that uniquely prepare them to work in a variety of community settings, including community-based non-profit and not-for-profit organizations, schools, and community mental health centers.  In each of the program courses, students will work on projects with community organizations in a variety of capacities to apply theory learned in class and hone their applied community psychology skills.  Upon completion of the specialization, students will have had several real-world community-based experiences with concrete products to demonstrate to prospective employers and/or subsequent academic programs.

Students may enter the program at the time of admission or within the first several quarters of their residency in the MFT program or the MPIC program.  At minimum it takes five quarters to complete all of the requirements for ACP, so students should plan accordingly.  Before students are eligible to take any of the ACP Specialization courses, they are required to successfully complete Psychology in the Community (PSY 545C).  This course serves as a pre-requisite for all ACP courses and provides the foundational theory for all subsequent learning in the Specialization.