On the Right Track

By Ben Neale, Fall 2010

CSPP, San Francisco, has embarked on an exciting path to the creation of a PsyD Social Justice Track. The Social Justice Track Planning Committee, comprised of several faculty members and students, is in the beginning stages of the Track’s creation and implementation.

CSPP has long paid attention to issues of racial and sociocultural understanding, which has laid the groundwork for the creation of the SJ Track. In recent history, organizations such as I-MERIT and the multicultural and gender emphasis areas have recognized the clinical importance in addressing issues of inclusion and equity. Starting in the fall of the 2011-2012 academic year, the new SJ Track will continue to provide a space for faculty and students to advocate against oppressive social systems on a micro and macro level. Officially, the SJ Track Planning Committee’s mission for the Track is to, “Educate psychologists to become competent in social justice work. This education must include traditional clinical psychology education plus ability to understand, analyze and intervene at the social systemic level.”

The SJ Track Planning Committee is in the preliminary stages of configuring a program that provides opportunities to gain knowledge of how systemic oppression impacts both the individual (micro level) and how to develop competencies in working as a change agent in society (macro level). Moreover, an emphasis will be placed on the embodiment of the psychologist as a social change agent, which will include educating students in program development, community group consultation, and program evaluation.

Basic logistical considerations of the Track include admission and the selection process, curriculum development and planning (including a developmental progression vis-à-vis first, second, and third year course offerings, dissertation research projects, and practica placements). The planning committee is addressing these and other SJ Track issues by garnering input from the rest of the PsyD core faculty and students. PsyD faculty have met for their October meeting and shown great interest and encouragement for the proposed SJ Track. Additionally, the planning committee has begun to consult with CSPP’s Office of Professional Training to identify practica placements in a community setting that serves members of an oppressed group.

On Oct. 11, PsyD students shared their feedback, ideas, and questions related to the Social Justice Track planning at an SGA sponsored student input forum. Several student and faculty members of the SJ Track Planning Committee were present to respond to students’ thoughts. The Committee was encouraged by the students’ thoughtful and critical insights and has planned to continue similar conversations as the committee continues to elucidate the Track’s scheduling and curriculum development. Students’ ongoing involvement will surely strengthen the growing potential of this emerging program. As the Committee’s development process continues throughout this academic year, Committee members look forward to hearing from any student interested in sharing their thoughts.

Interested students should email the two student planning committee representatives: Ben Neale (bneale@alliant.edu) and Kate Ramsaur (kramsaur@alliant.edu).