WISR Info

The Western Institute for Social Research (WISR) is known as a premiere academic institute for social change since its inception in 1975. WISR offers individualized BA, MA and PhD degree programs for working adults. Areas of study are: Psychology (including a program that leads to the State’s Marriage and Family Therapy License as well as for those seeking to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor), Social Sciences, Human Services and Community Development, and Education and Social Change.

The PhD program is especially for college professors, adult and community educators; community service professionals and activists; and self-employed consultants and therapists interested in teaching, community involvement, or writing for professional or lay audiences. Students design their learning activities with faculty assistance – pursuing readings, practical projects, action-oriented research, meaningful writing in their own voice, and building bridges to their desired (and sometimes quite distinctive) career paths.

A few WISR students study from great distances – from throughout California and as far away as Colorado, Boston, Canada, Nigeria and Chile–and confer frequently with faculty by phone between occasional visits. WISR is a multiethnic institution and we embrace and celebrate diversity among our faculty and students.

Students are encouraged to consider issues of community improvement, social change, multiculturality and organizational innovation in their studies.

More information about WISR is contained throughout this website and at our online blogging and news site, Wisrville.

Statement Verifying the Accuracy the of the Information Contained on this Website and in our Online Catalogue here.
This will certify that the statements included in this catalog, while subject to change without notice, are true and accurate as of the time of their issuance. This catalog is valid for the period beginning, August 1, 2011. This information incorporates and updates the information contained in WISR’s last printed catalogue (dated October 1, 2004) and the subsequent supplements to that catalogue. Any substantive changes at WISR after August 1, 2011 will be updated within 30 days on this website, and the online catalogue contained on this website.
verified and attested to by:
Robert Blackburn, Chair
WISR Board of Trustees
John Bilorusky, President
Western Institute for Social Research
3220 Sacramento Street,
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510)655-2830
mail@wisr.edu
August 1, 2011