FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER?
Becoming a member is simple, easy and free! All you have to do is attend at least three events, maintain good academic standing, and be an undergraduate at Montclair State University.
HOW CAN MPS BENEFIT ME?
MPS can help you stay on track and focused on your professional goals, we can give you opportunities to meet other students and faculty who share your interests, and providing resources that can help you achieve your goals.
IS MPS A BIG TIME-COMMITMENT?
Only if you want it to be. To become an official member you must attend at least three meetings, which are only about an hour.
WILL MPS HELP ME ADJUST TO COLLEGE LIFE AS AN ETHNIC MINORITY STUDENT?
Absolutely! The events held by the club are focused on multicultural needs and interests within the field of psychology. The social events like socials and bowling will also help you in managing some of the stress that comes with college.
Can MPS HELP ME CHOOSE A PATH TO FOLLOW IN PSYCHOLOGY?
Yes! The events of MPS can inform you about many of the multicultural issues in psychology and how you can become part of the solution.
HOW DOES MPS DIFFER FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ON CAMPUS?
No other organization examines the intersection between multiculturalism, psychology, well-being, academic persistence, personal growth, and professional development. Creating multi-culturally competent individuals is salient to the mission of MPS. This organization focuses on issues of multiculturalism on a broader spectrum and does not specifically focus on one aspect of multiculturalism (e.g., ethnicity). Many graduate schools, professional training programs, and employers have become interested in students involved with multicultural organizations and training initiatives
HOW DOES MPS BENEFIT THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY?
By the year 2025, it is estimated that racial/ethnic minorities will account for more than 40% of the United States population. In light of these projections, the need for racial/ethnic minority psychologists will increase considerably in the next two decades. However, the recruitment and retention initiatives of ethnic minority students in higher education continue to be a national issue of concern for four-year colleges or universities. While there continues to be a steady increase of ethnic minorities amongst our nation’s population, the completion rates of ethnic minorities in higher education remain low. According to the American Council on Education (2002), approximately 78% of ethnic minority undergraduate students enrolled in four-year colleges or universities will not complete their bachelor’s degree. In addition, 26% of African American and Latino students will go beyond five years to complete their bachelor’s degree in comparison to their Caucasian counterparts (ACE, 2002). With respect to the discipline of psychology, only 19% of graduate students completing doctoral programs in psychology are racial/ethnic minorities. Moreover, only 18% of undergraduate ethnic minority psychology students will continue to pursue a graduate degree in the field of psychology (APA, 2001). This is especially concerning since only 7% of psychologists nationwide are racial/ethnic minorities (APA, 2004). As indicated by the research, the presence of racial/ethnic minority psychologists is beneficial to the field of psychology because it encourages the exploration and development of diverse worldviews and related treatment approaches.
Given the advantages of diversity, many colleges and universities should focus on addressing issues with the retention strategies and guidance for ethnic minority students, particularly those pursuing a career in the field of psychology. The Multicultural Psychology Scholars will aim to address this pressing issue in higher education by being a source of information and support to all psychology students at Montclair State University, to aid in the recruitment and retention of multicultural psychology students in order to prepare psychologists who will be effective in a diverse, multicultural society.