Community Psychology is based on a philosophy of equality, social justice, peace, and sustainability. At the heart of this vision is respect for cultural diversity, that is, differences and similarities in gender, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background, class, age, and ability.

The program's action framework is expressed through an integration of theory, research, and practice in response to community needs, resources, and capacities. Members of the program integrate critical awareness of social issues with social intervention derived from an accessible, democratic partnership of sharing knowledge with citizens.

The Masters Program in Community Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University began in 1976 and remains the only free standing Community Psychology program in English-speaking Canada. In its 25+ years of history, it has produced over 150 MA graduates. In 2003, the Psychology Department began its PhD program.