Development of a Doctoral Level Psychology Program: History, Controversies, and Practical Needs

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Date
2014-09
Authors
Morrison, Brittany
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Publisher
Mount Saint Vincent University
Abstract
Every province within Canada has its own regulatory body that sets and upholds the registration (or licensing) requirements of all individuals seeking registration as a professional psychologist. Currently in Nova Scotia, a doctoral, master's, or equivalent degree in psychology is required for registration as a psychologist within the province; however, the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) supports a doctoral degree as the minimum training standard. In 2006, the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology (NSBEP) began discussing the possibility of making the doctoral degree the entry level qualification for registration of practicing psychologists within Nova Scotia. In order to be able to continue to offer adequate psychology training and produce well-trained psychologists capable of meeting the registration requirements within Nova Scotia, psychology training programs at the master’s level will need to evolve with the changing NSBEP standards, if and when they occur. The present study reviewed 24 doctoral level psychology programs in Canada in the areas of clinical and school psychology to generate recommendations for Mount Saint Vincent University’s School Psychology Program about what factors need to be considered in a transition from a master’s to a doctoral degree
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Keywords
Psychologists - education , Psychology training
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