| Abstract: | Discusses whether master's-level psychologists should be eligible for regular membership in APA. The APA Council of Representatives has more than once decided that only doctoral degree holders can be regular members. During 1977, the Council decided that even school psychology, traditionally an area with a master's degree entry level, should also work toward a doctoral degree as a minimal credential. Smith and Soper (1978) conducted a survey at all mental health agencies in the US west of the Mississippi River to find out how master's-level psychologists are used in such agencies and results reveal that on the average, about 1 in 2 psychology positions in these facilities is filled by a master's- level psychologist. The author questions the realities of the survey results in relation to the policy makers and suggests that the policy makers need a massive campaign on the national, state, and local level. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
