As part of the broader American Psychological Association (APA) efforts related to master’s level training and practice in in health service psychology (HSP), the Board of Educational Affairs (BEA) and the Board of Professional Affairs are convening two (2) ad hoc groups and seek nominations by Friday, September 3, 2021.
The BEA/BPA Task Force on Doctoral Competencies in HSP will be charged with:
- Reviewing and updating the Heath Service Psychology Education Collaborative (HSPEC) competencies document, which was prepared by the HSPEC and approved as policy by APA Council in 2013 with a specific focus on distinguishing doctoral competencies from the expected competencies of graduates of master’s degree programs in health service psychology.
- Proposing other actions APA may need to take to adequately distinguish doctoral level training in HSP from master’s level training in HSP beyond the ongoing efforts by BEA, BPA, and the APA Commission on Accreditation (CoA).
The BEA/BPA Task Force will work closely with the BEA/BPA Task Force to Delineate Competencies for Students Completing Master’s Level Programs in HSP, which has drafted proposed competencies for graduates of master’s programs in HSP.
For questions about the BEA/BPA Task Force Call for Nomination above and linked here and/or to submit nomination materials, please contact Bob Walsh at rwalsh@apa.org.
The BPA Working Group to recommend an appropriate Master’s Title and Scope in HSP will be asked to:
- Develop specific recommendations or options for an appropriate title, as distinguished from doctoral-level practice and not to include “psychologist.” Recommendations should include an appropriate professional title for master’s level, psychology-trained practitioners that is (a) clearly distinct from that of a doctoral psychologist, but (b) accurately conveys the profession’s base within psychology as a discipline.
- Develop recommendations or options on appropriate scope of practice, as distinguished from doctoral-level practice and taking into consideration several factors, including supervision.
For questions about the BPA Working Group Call for Nomination above and linked here and/or to submit nomination materials, please contact Sarah A. Rose at optq@apa.org
Self-nomination materials for both calls must be received by Friday, September 3, 2021. Both groups are expected to begin work early Fall 2021.