Spanish Language Psychological Service and Research Specialization

image of University of Oregon College of Education SLPSR student cohort

This specialization is offered to qualified Counseling Psychology, School Psychology or Couples and Family Therapy graduate students.

Students who complete the specialization acquire skills that support provision of culturally-relevant mental health services, and engaging in research with Latinx and Spanish speaking populations.

Our Spanish Specialization is designed to enhance preexisting linguistic and multicultural competencies, and increase cultural understanding of US Spanish-speaking populations.

Students learn to critically assess the unique social, historical, political, and cultural contexts that shape the experiences of Latinx peoples in the United States.

Particular attention is given to conditions of social injustice and inequity, and how these conditions influence the health and well-being of Latinx and Spanish-speaking communities, although these are just a few of the many goals and competencies the program aims to deliver. 


Spanish Language Specialization Requirements — Total Credits: 16

Title Term Offered CREDITS
CPSY 612 Professional Ethics1 Annual, fall term 3
CPSY 615 Counseling Diverse Populations1 Annual, winter term 3
CPSY 626 Psychological Services for Latinos2 Annual; fall term 3
CPSY 627 Topics in Latinx Mental Health2 Annual, spring term 3
CPSY 606 Practicum: Bilingual Supervision (1 credit for 3 terms) Annual, fall, winter, and spring term 3
CPSY / CFT / SPSY Practicum or Externship3 (In student’s major, clinical work with Spanish-speaking clients) Annual, offered through your home program 1

1 SPSY participants will take SPSY 633 Ethics and SPED 515 Diversity in Special Education.

2 The courses CPSY 626: Psychological Services for Latinx and Spanish Speaking Communities and CPSY 627: Topics in Latinx Mental Health are open to students outside of the specialization.

3A practicum or externship in the student’s major in which the student performs clinical work with Spanish-speaking clients.   

Additional Requirements

Once admitted, students must complete the Specialization Declaration Form and send it to slpsr@uoregon.edu.

Required Continuous Learning Activities

Twenty hours of participation in educational and cultural events specifically focused on Latinx and/or Spanish speaking communities. Examples include lectures, panel presentations, and conferences (e.g. see CLLAS website or NLPA conference) could also consist of a graduate level course of 2-4 credits focused on Latinx histories or cultures and approved by the SLPSR Director.

Required Capstone Project

The Spanish Language Psychological Service and Research Capstone Project requires preparing and delivering an oral presentation in Spanish that is a minimum of 15 minutes in length. The presentation must be either a case presentation on mental health services provided to a Latinx Spanish speaking client, or a presentation of clinical intervention research conducted with Latinx Spanish-speaking participants.