The Specialist in Psychology (PsyS or Psy.S.) is a post-masters
specialist degree in
psychology, and is usually specialized in
school psychology.
[Fagan, T., & Warden, P. G. (1996). Historical encyclopedia of school psychology. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.] The degree is a four-year program, the first two years earning an MS (usually in general psychology,
developmental psychology
Developmental psychology is the science, scientific study of how and why humans grow, change, and adapt across the course of their lives. Originally concerned with infants and children, the field has expanded to include adolescence, adult deve ...
, or school psychology) and the last two earning the specialist degree. As a whole, the degree includes three years of course work (including practice) and a one-year internship.
This degree is primarily designed for practicing in the school setting, although after three years of post-grad field work one can operate in private practice. This degree is not designed for those who would like to attain a PhD, however, it is possible to switch over some credits in search of an EdD after the PsyS is completed.
This degree entails two years of course work including a
clinical practicum and is often the first part of a four-year
PsyD degree. The PsyD is a degree specializing in clinical psychology training, in lieu of the more
research based PhD.
This degree should not be confused with the Specialist Psychologist degree conferred in
Denmark, which corresponds to a full PsyD or DClinPsy degree in the U.S./UK.
Also, this degree should not be confused with the Specialist Degree in the Commonwealth of Independent States. The Diploma of Specialist ( • ) is a five-year higher-education
diploma
A diploma is a document awarded by an educational institution (such as a college or university) testifying the recipient has graduated by successfully completing their courses of studies. Historically, it has also referred to a charter or offici ...
that was the only first higher-education diploma in the
former Soviet Union (
the Candidate of Sciences was the first academic level degree while
the Doctor of Sciences was the highest academic credential) and continues to be offered throughout the USSR successor states in parallel with the new
bachelor's degree.
In terms of the number of instructional hours it is typically, 35 to 42 classroom hours per week, 34 weeks of instruction plus 6 weeks of exams per academic year. Commonly referred to simply as "Diploma" (russian: диплом • ), the Soviet/Russian-style Diploma of Specialist is believed to have originated in the
engineering education in the
Russian Empire. According to
the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, the specialist degree called qualification (degree) of "specialist" ( • ).
See also
*
Psychologist
A psychologist is a professional who practices psychology and studies mental states, perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior. Their work often involves the experimentation, observation, and interpretation of how indi ...
References
External links
National Association of School PsychologistsFlorida Association of School PsychologistsCenter for Psychological Studies
Academic degrees of the United States
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