The Future of Professional Training in Educational Psychology

Abstract

Summary In this article we review some of the problems with the current system of training educational psychologists (EPs) and discuss four possible options for radically overhauling the current system. Common to all options is the recommendation that the qualification should be raised to that of a taught professional Doctorate and that the length of the one year Masters course should be increased to three years. Other suggestions, in particular removing the requirement for a teaching qualification and experience and the possibility of developing generic training courses in applied psychology, are also considered but do not feature in all of the options. However, the implementation of any of these proposals should strengthen links between training courses and the field; this can only work effectively if the services themselves are fully behind the proposed changes. Informal discussions have already taken place among the course tutors, the Division of Educational and Child Psychology (DECP) and its Trainin...