Ph.D. in Community Research and Action

The doctoral degree in Community Research and Action (CRA) prepares action-oriented researchers for academic or policy-related careers in applied community studies. If your areas of interest include community psychology, development or health, organizational change, mental health, prevention, and/or ethics, the CRA program offers a vibrant intellectual setting where your knowledge and field skills will be enhanced.

CRA is the successor to Peabody's long-standing program in Community Psychology and reflects a move in the field toward interdisciplinary thinking. Requirements include evaluation research as well as qualitative and quantitative course work. As a CRA student you will focus on four thematic areas:

• Analysis of problem solving at multiple levels: individual, family, organization, community, and society
• Interdisciplinary perspectives and approaches to practice
• Collaborative action research aimed at transforming institutions and promoting lifelong human development
• Dynamic understanding of social change to inform and evaluate community action.

Learn more:

• Meet our core community studies faculty.
• Read our detailed program prospectus.
• See details on the application process for CRA.

Note: This program does not offer clinical training. However, Peabody and Vanderbilt offer a M.Ed. in Human Development Counseling as well as doctoral training in clinical psychology.