The American Psychological Association’s recent decision to pursue accreditation of master’s programs in health service psychology is a critically important issue for the profession of psychology, which has historically been defined as requiring a doctoral degree for entry into the profession. In March 2018, APA Council approved a motion to pursue master’s accreditation. In January 2019, the BEA Task Force developed a blueprint for APA accreditation of master’s programs in health service psychology. At the August 2019 NCSPP summer meeting, the NCSPP Masters Accreditation Task Force was 1) Participants will be able to describe the history of master’s accreditation in psychology. 2) Participants will be able to list reasons why master’s accreditation for health service psychology programs is being pursued by the American Psychological Association 3) Participants will be able to identity and discuss the differentiating scope of practice and competencies for
appointed. This symposium will serve as a platform for the NCSPP Task Force to disseminate information to the NCSPP Membership about the accreditation of master’s programs and will include: a brief history, current issues. information about the existing accreditation organizations at the master’s-level (i.e., CACREP, MPCAC, NASP), differentiating master’s level scope of practice and competencies, and an update from the NCSPP Task Force on their charge and the work they have completed to-date. NCSPP’s advocacy on behalf of Schools of Professional Psychology, and input to the APA, will be essential as the scope of practice is defined for master’s-level health service psychology clinicians and programs.
Learning Objectives:
1) Participants will be able to describe the history of master’s accreditation in psychology.
2) Participants will be able to list reasons why master’s accreditation for health service psychology programs is being pursued by the American Psychological Association.
3) Participants will be able to identity and discuss the differentiating scope of practice and competencies for masters- and doctoral-level health service psychology professionals.