Celebrating Diversity

How is Diversity Incorporated into Baylor's School Psychology Program?

Baylor's commitment is illustrated through in-class curriculum, through the clinical program, and with special programming outside of the classroom. Some examples are listed below:

1. The Graduate Association of School Psychologists (GASP) Multicultural Subcommittee meets regularly to plan program events and workshops. This subcommittee is composed of students and faculty in the School Psychology program.

2. GASP hosts one workshop each year on a topic related to diversity and inclusion. 

3. Faculty host a virtual open house geared towards diverse and underrepresented prospective applicants. 

4. There is a Baylor Box specifically set up for students and faculty in our program to access and post resources related to clinical work with diverse populations, and outside training opportunities are dispersed to school psychology students.

5. Faculty and graduate students regularly lead poster and presentation sessions at local and national conferences on topics related to diversity.

6. Planned program meetings are scheduled to discuss ideas about incorporating diversity into the program and addressing multicultural issues.

7. Elements of diversity and inclusion are incorporated across our scheduled program of courses. A few examples include:

• EDP 5393 – Cultural Issues with Children and Families: This class is intended to build graduate students’ understanding and knowledge when working with a diversity of children, families, and colleagues. We will discuss the impact of culture and diversity on the psychological and educational needs of youth.
• EDP 5366 – Psychology of Exceptional Children: This course provides information about exceptionalities and disabilities, with a focus on children and youth. Topics covered include historical foundations, laws, policies, and issues regarding definitions and the identification of individuals with exceptional learning needs, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• EDP 5341 – Professional Practice, Law and Ethics for School Psychologists: This course discusses ethical implications associated with practicing psychology with diverse clients.  This content is covered throughout the course and students are asked to read a book that emphasizes cultural issues (e.g., LGBT, religion, age, race, ethnicity, disability, military) that impact society.
• EDP 5360 – Psychological Interventions with Children and Adolescents II: Counseling: This course is intended to build graduate students’ skills in counseling theories and techniques, with a focus on children and adolescents.  Topics covered include major counseling models, elements of an integrative model of counseling, developmental aspects of counseling, ethical and professional issues in counseling, case conceptualization, and the impact of culture and diversity on the counseling interventions. Emphasis is placed on understanding the cultural context for student behavioral and emotional regulation and for creating interventions to support students.