Master's level accreditation in health services psychology: A primer to the special section with commentary

Abstract

This introduction to the special section on accreditation of master's programs in health service psychology (HSP) describes the driving forces, within and beyond the discipline of psychology, that have contributed to recent developments pertaining to accreditation of HSP master's programs. Projected workforce needs and accreditation pathways are overviewed before summarizing accreditation requirements that have been recommended by a recent American Psychological Association (APA) Board of Educational Affairs task force. As APA moves forward with accreditation of master's programs in HSP there are several key areas requiring concerted effort: (1) addressing the risk of further constriction of diversity in the training-to-doctoral workforce pipeline, (2) defining the scope of practice at the master's level, and (3) articulating the additional value of the doctoral degree. A data driven rubric for defining and distinguishing HSP competences according to level of practice is proposed. Taking a rigorous and defensible, evidence-based, approach to defining the scope of practice in psychology at the master's level elevates the profile of the entire discipline and demonstrates our collective commitment to quality in the service of the public.