Policy on Training for Psychologists Wishing to Change Their Specialty
Adopted by the APA Council of Representatives
Inasmuch as it is to the advantage of psychology and society to provide for a change of specialty or the development of dual specialties so as to encourage unique contributions that might be made by psychologists with broadly diversified backgrounds, Council adopts the following as official policy of APA.
1. We strongly urge psychology departments currently engaged in doctoral training to offer training for individuals already holding the doctoral degree in psychology who wish to change their specialty. Such programs should be individualized, since background and career objectives vary greatly. It is desirable that financial assistance be made available to students in such programs.
2. Programs engaging in such training should declare so publicly and include a statement to that effect as a formal part of their program description and/or their application for accreditation.
3. Psychologists seeking to change their specialty should take training in a program of the highest quality and, where appropriate, exemplified by the doctoral training programs and internships accredited by the APA.
4. With respect to subject matter and professional skills, psychologists taking such training must meet all requirements of doctoral training in the new psychological specialty, being given due credit for relevant coursework or requirements they have previously satisfied.
5. It must be stressed, however, that merely taking an internship or acquiring experience in a practicum setting is not, for example, considered adequate preparation for becoming a clinical, counseling, or school psychologist when prior training has not been in the relevant area.
6. Upon fulfillment of all formal requirements of such training programs, the students should be awarded certificates indicating the successful completion of preparation in the particular specialties, thus according them due recognition for their additional education and experience.
7. This policy statement shall be incorporated in the guidelines of the Committee on Accreditation so that appropriate sanctions can be brought to bear on university and internship training programs which violate paragraphs 4 and/or 5 of the above.
