The Culture, Identity, and Well-Being cluster is committed to preparing doctoral students to become multiculturally competent professionals who promote holistic well-being in diverse communities. We conceptualize well-being as a multi-dimensional construct that includes mental, physical, and social health, and we emphasize the ways in which well-being is shaped by cultural values, worldviews, religious and spiritual beliefs, and community contexts.

We use the terms culture and identity to broadly represent individuals from historically underrepresented and minoritized populations (e.g. race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability status). At the same time, we recognize that demographic categories alone do not capture the full complexity of human diversity. Accordingly, we prepare students to work effectively with all individuals and communities who experience stress, marginalization, or inequity related to minoritized identities and social positions.

Our cluster is grounded in the view that multicultural competence is a lifelong developmental process that extends beyond formal training and the academy. In an increasingly diverse society, we believe counseling psychologists must engage thoughtfully and ethically with human diversity to function as effective healthcare providers. To support this vision, the Culture, Identity, and Well-Being cluster provides students with opportunities to integrate coursework with community engagement, advocacy, and multicultural research, fostering habits of lifelong learning and culturally responsive practice.

Expectations of Successful Students

We welcome all students, particularly those with specific interests in and who have a career aspiration to work with underrepresented communities. Previous research, community outreach, or volunteer experiences with minoritized identities are important for students interested in our cluster. We also expect successful students to be open to new worldviews, cultures and ways of being.

Required Cluster Courses

Students will complete 12 credit hours beyond the general psychology and core counseling course requirements. Students have some flexibility to choose courses based on their specific interests.

Required

• PSYC 5590 Diverse Family Systems

And select THREE of the following:

• PSYC 5200 Psychology of Women and Gender
• PSYC 5670 Psychology of LBGTQ+ Communities
• PSYC 6200 Cross-Cultural Psychology
• PSYC 6560 Psychology of Race in the U.S