Date of Award
1-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College/School
College for Education and Engaged Learning
Department/Program
Psychology
Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair
Jeremy K. Fox
Committee Member
Sally Grapin
Committee Member
Milton Fuentes
Committee Member
Michael Lau
Abstract
Students of color are significantly underrepresented in the field of health service psychology, including at the doctoral level. Doctoral programs in health service psychology utilize various strategies to foster the recruitment and retention of students of color, though limited research has investigated which strategies are used most frequently. As part of the present study, 18 APA-accredited doctoral programs in health service psychology submitted narrative sections from their APA accreditation self-study report describing their efforts to recruit and retain students of color and evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts, as well as the racial/ethnic breakdown of their students. Qualitative analysis of the narratives revealed that programs most commonly reported recruitment efforts focused upon marketing, outreach, demonstrating commitment to diversity, and inclusive admissions practices. Programs most commonly reported retention efforts focused upon faculty, financial support, program curriculum and training, social community, support for diversity, and program climate. Programs most frequently evaluated effectiveness by assessing program demographic data. Correlates of student representation included the availability of grants/fellowships, responsiveness to diversity-related needs, and spaces for open dialogue. Findings highlight some innovative efforts to address barriers to student recruitment and retention, including increasing accessibility of the application process and supporting current students in establishing and maintain their racial/ethnic identities. Implications for ongoing recruitment and retention practices are discussed.
File Format
Recommended Citation
Sital, Melissa, "Examining Strategies for the Recruitment and Retention of Students of Color in Health Service Psychology Doctoral Programs" (2025). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 1494.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/1494
