fbpx Commitment to Diversity | Chestnut Hill College Skip to content Skip to navigation
Menu

Commitment to Diversity

Commitment to Diversity

The Psy.D. Program at Chestnut Hill College  values and welcomes diversity in all its forms. The program encourages applications from students who represent diversity, as we believe that a diverse student body enriches the educational experience for all. The program sponsors three student groups that focus on diversity issues: the Rainbow Forum, the Human Rights Forum, and the Multicultural Forum.

All students are required to complete two courses on diversity issues in psychology and psychotherapy: PSYG 716 (The Role of Culture and Gender in Counseling and Psychotherapy) in Year I, and PSYG 816 (Advanced Topics in Human Diversity) in Year IV.

The Department of Professional Psychology subscribes to and practices a policy of nondiscrimination in admission, enrollment, and employment.  This Policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, age, race, color, national or ethnic orgin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or marital status.

Students must comply with all of the Program’s competency requirements. Students in the Psy.D. Program are required to develop competency working with individuals of diverse backgrounds. It is the ethical obligation of students to develop the competency to work with individuals of diverse racial, ethnic and social backgrounds. The Program adopts the APA definition of “ diversity,” which includes, but is not limited to, the following characteristics: age, disabilities, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. Students must be prepared to develop competency working with individuals in each category and may not, for example, decline to work with a client because of a client’s particular characteristic(s). In keeping with the ethical standards of the profession, a client cannot be refused treatment based solely on their diversity status. While all students are encouraged to be aware of their own values, these values should not be used as a justification for refusing service to a client seeking treatment. Further, the APA has published recommendations and/or guidelines for working with clients who represent diverse racial, ethnic, and social backgrounds.  Students are expected to develop competency working in conformity with the published recommendations or guidelines of the APA.  Students who fail or refuse to meet the competency requirements of the Program face dismissal from the Psy.D. Program.

Several faculty members have clinical and research interests related to human diversity.

The Multicultural Forum, The Human Rights Forum, and the Forensic Interest group worked collaboratively to present the Spring 2020 Grand Rounds, which can be viewed here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9o6k7cvQw0.   

Read More