Program Overview

The Graduate School of Professional Psychology is proud to offer a Master's Degree in International Disaster Psychology, a training program that is the first of its kind at a major United States university. Our graduate students are trained to address the psychological and psychosocial needs of international communities who are adversely impacted by human-made and/or natural disasters, HIV/AIDS and other health-related pandemics.

Our program offers an integrated course of study combining the fields of clinical psychology, public health, disaster mental health and humanitarian aid. Instruction is provided in such areas as international mental health, international disaster psychology, gender-based violence, and trauma treatment and interventions. Coursework also includes disaster mental health, international law, multicultural treatment, group dynamics, trauma and life-span development, family systems, cross-cultural foundations, psychotherapeutic models, program evaluation and research, and mental health systems in low and middle income countries.

In addition to coursework, students also participate in local and international field placements. Coursework and field work prepare our graduates to assist in strengthening community response, recovery and healing in the wake of disaster. As such, our graduates work to provide direct care, train and consult with community and government agencies to promote the psychosocial wellness of affected populations.

With a combination of skills in clinical psychology, trauma treatment, and attention to contextual factors influencing recovery and healing, our graduates are prepared to make a difference in the world.