Critique Psychology Boards

UPDATE 10/26/09: Health Resources and Service Administration National Health Service Corps (HRSA).

http://www.paloaltou.edu/news/national-health-service-corps-nhsc-loan-repayment-program

As part of the Obama stimulus package new scholarships and loan repayment plans have been funded through Health Resources and Service Administration National Health Service Corps.

Psychologists must have graduated from an American Psychological Association (APA) approved school.

Sign up for a minimum of two years to work within an under served population. It sounds as if it is possible to remain in your State or they will pay for travel expenses to the interview if you are willing to relocate.

It's based on a first come first serve basis. You can sign up to be alerted by email for application dates.

This includes LPCC (discussed below) which is new in California. Scholarships pay all tuition, reasonable school costs, and even include a stipend. You can sign up to be notified by email for the next school year 2010 -2011 application deadline and information.

The American Psychological Association (APA) offers an impressive and ever growing number of resources for psychologists at any point in their careers from those just beginning to be interested in the field who are in high-school to Post Doctorate psychologists.

Currently (2009) there are 56 divisions that span from Humanistic Psychology to Trauma Psychology. This organization boasts the largest psychologist membership worldwide. The APA's mission is to benefit society and people's lives by advancing knowledge and communication through psychologists.

The organizational purpose is to advance psychology as a science and as a profession with focus on health, education, and human welfare. The APA offers several membership levels. The affiliate program offers a discounted membership rate for high-school students, undergraduate, and graduate students.

The APA offers an International Students Affiliation for students that earned their degree outside of the United States but the education received was equivalent. Graduate students have their own section of the APA website called (APAGS) American Psychological Association Grad Students.

The affiliate membership also extends to psychology teachers that teach within high-school and community colleges. The next level is the Associate Membership and this is proper for master degree holders, whose degree is in psychology or a related field and was earned from an accredited school.

The dues for associate members are less than for full fledged members but is gradually raised for professionals that are licensed and working. APA membership is for Doctoral degree holders from a regionally accredited school, such as Western Association of Schools and Colleges, WASC.

Another criterion is that the student's thesis had to have a psychological emphasis in order to demonstrate proficiency. First year members referred to as, early career psychologists, pay dues based on a sliding scale that gradually rises over an 8-year period and continues to increase.

For members with outstanding contributions, nationally or internationally, there is a possibility of being bestowed with the title "Fellow Member" for their contribution within the psychological field.

Noteworthy, is the fact that the APA sets the standard for ethics amongst psychologists, which are being adopted by many state legislatures for professional regulation, and it is becoming increasingly important to be a member in good standing.

APA membership in good standing has the potential to signal safety for a client, letting them know that a bond of trust and respect would not be misplaced.

It also offers a channel for a client to make an ethical complaint, when such an action is warranted, that will be investigated. There are indeed some hospitals and institutions such as the Veterans Association Hospital that requires graduation from an APA approved school as a condition of being hired.

The resources APA standards and ethics can all be found on the user-friendly site that includes databases for discounted fees, librarian services, and discounts in insurance and financial services, politically charged advocacy programs including AIDS, GLBT, minorities, violence, and work issues.

The apa.org is a must read for anyone interested in psychology especially if they would like to promote the growth of psychology. The APA offers many scholarships, grants, and post doctoral residency programs and tutorials on APA formatting guidelines currently in its 6th edition. The APA website makes it easy for students to find schools that are approved the APA board.

Note that APA does not credential the master degree level.

APA ethical guidelines and rules are written broadly and are in no way exhaustive or rigid. Although a few areas may help the psychologist understand the APA's stance on an ethical decision, for the most part, is still open for interpretation and personal judgment. This is why it is imperative for all helpers to understand their own values and personal ethics.

Students should become aware of transfer policies if earning a masters degree from a school that does not lead into an APA approved doctorates degree. Chances are that the APA approved school will only transfer 12 units or less from the unapproved school.

Students could be forced to make the decision to basically earn a second masters degree in order earn a doctorates from an APA approved school or earn a doctorates degree from a school that is not approved by the APA.

There are many fine private and state psychology schools that serve founder's missions and student interests that do not want to follow strict and rigid guidelines set by the APA and do not desire APA approval.

This is strictly a choice and should not be a determinant on which schools are better than others however, it is a current situation and should be considered carefully in the beginning of a psychology students career.

The American Psychological Association does not want psychology students to chose a specialization until after they have earned a PhD. They want students to wait until they have a thorough enough background to make an intelligent decision.

What does this mean for you and I? Well, if you earn a Masters in say, Forensic Psychology at school A and then decide that you want to attend University B for your PhD... Well, most likely if University B is APA approved then they are going to require a Masters in general psychology. Although 3 or 4 classes overlap, for the most part, they are entirely different sets of classes.

However,there are (APA) approved schools that offer a Masters + Doctorates program. This means that even if a student decides to enter a program such as this with a previous Masters degree, he or she will basically have to earn a second Masters degree. Most programs will only transfer up to 12 credits.

That being said I can see benefits to having a previous Masters degree.

1: You will have the opportunity to teach online while you progress through the Master's + Doctorates program. I say online because you can basically set your own hours, which would be beneficial. Alternatively, you may be able to turn your specialization into an Independent consultant business that would also enable you to choose your own hours while getting through school.

2: A Master's degree, especially in the same subject area, will possibly make your second masters degree easier to get through. It will be a review for you while new students are struggling to learn it.

3: You may be able to consider your first Master's degree your specialization. At least on your resume. For example, I have a Master's degree in Psychology crisis management and response. I may enter a Masters + PhD program soon and I will just take the general program. On my resume I would put PhD candidate Psychology with a specialization in Crisis Management and Response.

4: A previous Master's degree may make you more competitive in the application process, especially if you have documented research experience. Former classes in statistics, research, and statistical software, and (APA) writing knowledge is a huge advantage.

In fact, a specialization such as this would be a good addition to any related field such as Psychiatric Nurse, PhD or PsyD, Social Work or Counseling.

A PhD is actually a Doctorates in Philosophy with a concentration on Psychology. It's more Research and Academia based.

A PsyD is a Doctorates of Psychology degree. It's based on counseling and hands-on work. Some schools do require a thesis but it's normally not weighted as heavily as in a PhD program.

There used to be a huge controversy... Which is better a PhD or PsyD? It appears that the gap is not as wide anymore. However, this is just my personal opinion, I have been convinced that a PhD is more versatile. A PhD supposedly has an easier time going from Research and Academia to counseling. A PsyD may have a more difficult time going from counseling to Research. Albeit, I have friends and colleagues that have shattered this theory.

I am going for the PhD because I want to graduate with a thesis that is publishable. The emphasis needs to be on research. I also found a program that makes my time spent on campus shorter than the PsyD program. All of these are factors that a student should consider because time is money especially if we're adult students.

Students should include checking their State laws and laws set by their psychological State board, and even checking job requirements if the student is aware of where he or she would like to work.

Lastly, if you are dependent on Financial Aid switching schools can jeopardize your standing. I was lucky and left unscathed. Just be careful. It's better to chose wisely beforehand.

In California currently (2009) one does not have to graduate from an APA approved school in order to sit for the CA State licensure. However, if one desired to work for the Veterans, Hospital, Federal institutions, and some hospitals APA approval may be mandatory and policies and laws change rapidly.

The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) is committed to the examination and credentialing standards for psychologists, stakeholders, and as a portal for up-to-date and accurate information necessary for psychologists, and consumer protection.

The National Register of Health Service Providers (NRHSPP) is a non-profit organization that enables mobility throughout the States for psychologists. Credentials are stored in a database and offer easy verification. This is for psychologists who have been licensed for a minimum of 5 years.

The NRHSPP also makes it easy for consumers to find a suitable psychologist and offers links to their personal web sites. Free continuing education courses are also offered through their resources.

Students are able to use the database as a one-stop-shop for easy access and sharing of every intern hour performed, each class ever taken, and professor recommendations ever given. The easy access is phenomenal when storage in our memory banks inevitably run out.

The California Board of Psychology (BOP) protects the safety and welfare of consumers of psychological services.

Board of Behavioral Sciences1625 N Market Blvd., Suite S-200Sacramento, CA 95834

(As of this writing)

Kim Madsen, Executive OfficerVacant - Assistant Executive Officer

Email: BBSWebmaster@bbs.ca.gov

Main Phone Line: (916) 574-7830Main Fax: (916) 574-8625Office Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM Monday - Friday (excluding holidays)http://www.psychboard.ca.gov/

The BBS is responsible for consumer protection through the regulation of Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT); Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW); Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP); MFT Interns; and Associate Clinical Social Workers (ASW) in the State of California. It is one of the boards within the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

http://www.bbs.ca.gov/

Another organization that may become central to graduate students holding master degrees in Clinical Psychology is the California Coalition for Counselor Licensure. California Governor, Swartznenager, (2009) recently signed into law Senate Bill 788 that creates a new category of psychotherapist in California.

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs) will be licensed and regulated by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.

TIMELINE

• Authorizes acceptance of LPCC Intern applications on 1/1/2011; • Authorizes acceptance of LPCC examination eligibility applications on 1/1/2012; • Authorizes acceptance of LPCC applications for out-of-state applicants on 1/1/2011; • Authorizes acceptance of grandfathered LPPC applications between 1/1/2011 and 6/30/2011.

GRAND-PARENTING LICENSURE (New Business and Professions Code section 4999.54) For Counselors:

• Applications must be received between January 1, 2011 and June 30, 2011. All deficiencies must be remediated within 12 months of the Board’s evaluation of the application. There are two ways to qualify for licensure during the grand parenting period:

Applicant has a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited institution, which is counseling or psychotherapy in content, meets specified supervision requirements and obtains a passing score on the following three examinations:

The National Counselor Examination NCE) or the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination (CRCE); The National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE); and; A California jurisprudence and ethics examination that has yet to be developed by the Board.

Processes, laws, and regulations for this new license in California are currently being written. The coalition claims that it will help assure consumers of quality services and help them locate qualified counselors in good standing.

California was the last state to sign this bill into law, which was heavily fought against by the Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and Licensed Social Workers (LSW) boards.

State laws pertaining to psychologists in California can be found by going to the Psychboard.ca.gov/ or if a person is not from California he or she can go to find your State, or view the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards web site: (http://www.asppb.net). The main state laws for psychologists that may be distinct from other states are required classes to sit for licensure and include the following:

1382. Human Sexuality Training.1382.3. Training in Alcoholism/Chemical Dependency Detection and Treatment.1382.4. Child Abuse Assessment Training Requirements.All persons applying for a license or renewal of a license as a1382.5. Spousal or Partner Abuse Assessment, Detection, and Intervention Strategies Training Requirements.1382.6. Aging and Long-Term Care Training Requirements.1383.2. W.A.S.C. Accreditation.1387. Supervised Professional Experience. See site for supervision laws.

Click if you are applying for California Licensure Psyche Board

Fellowship Years:

In order of standards:

American Psychological Association (APA)

These are all paid and have reached the highest standards.Extremely competitive.

National Institute of Health (NIH) http://www.training.nih.gov/

Association of Psychology and Post Doctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) http://www.appic.org/. For more Scholarly Essays re: Psychology and Creativity click the link below.

References

Creativity and Conflict Essays

Lastly, I'm not going to worry about students possibly copying anything. In fact, use whatever you find useful. I just wanted to make sure that you understand that Instructors, (especially if you submit your homework through the computer) normally use a software program that easily checks for similarly written material on the W.W.W. If you use anything change it up;-)

We hope that you find the information useful.