Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2-.06

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 750-X-2-.06 - Area Of Specialization

(1) The Board recognizes specialization in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and School Psychology. Applicants who meet all other requirements for licensure and who are graduates from programs accredited by the American Psychological Association in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and School Psychology, and who have completed an acceptable internship accredited by the American Psychological Association or who have met the internship criteria defined in Rule 750-X-2-.07 will be recognized as having a specialty in one of those areas. Applicants who meet all other requirements for licensure and who present a Diplomate awarded by the American Board of Professional Psychology in an area other than the areas of specialization recognized by the Board will be evaluated by the Board to determine whether or not the applicant meets the requirements for any of the specializations recognized by the Board.

(2) Applicants who seek recognition in a specialty area and who do not meet the above criteria must satisfy the criteria below:

(a) Clinical Psychology

1. Qualifying coursework must have been taken while enrolled in a doctoral program which specified in pertinent institutional catalogs and brochures its intent to educate and train clinical psychologists.

2. Qualifying coursework must have included the following areas (minimum of 27 semester hours or 40 quarter hours):

(i) Abnormal Behavior/Psychopathology

(ii) Intellectual Assessment

(iii) Personality Assessment

(iv) Theory of Intervention and Treatment of Mental Disorders

(v) Practicum in Psychological Assessment

(vi) Practicum in Psychological Intervention

(vii) Advanced Clinical Electives

3. An internship in clinical psychology which emphasized assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders and which met the criteria outlined in Rule 750-X-2-.07 must have been completed.

(b) Counseling Psychology

1. Qualifying coursework must have been taken while enrolled in a doctoral program which specified in pertinent institutional catalogs and brochures its intent to educate and train counseling psychologists.

2. Qualifying coursework must have included the following areas (minimum of 27 semester hours or 40 quarter hours):

(i) Theory of Counseling/Psychotherapy

(ii) Assessment of Aptitude and Abilities and/or Personality

(iii) Human Adjustment or Development, or Abnormal Behavior

(iv) Vocational Assessment

(v) Practicum in Assessment

(vi) Practicum in Intervention

(vii) Advanced Electives in Counseling Psychology

3. An internship in counseling psychology which emphasized the application of psychological principles to facilitate effective functioning during lifespan development and which met the criteria outlined in Rule 750-X-2-.07 must have been completed.

(c) Industrial/Organizational Psychology

1. Qualifying coursework must have been taken while enrolled in a doctoral program which specified in pertinent institutional catalogs and brochures its intent to educate and train industrial/organizational psychologists.

2. Qualifying coursework must have included the following areas (minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours):

(i) Assessment and Measurement in Industrial/Organizational (Organizational Behavior)

(ii) Theory of Industrial/Organizational Psychology

(iii) Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods

(iv) Electives from such areas as Consultation, Management, Human Factors, Motivation, Applied Research and Training and Development

(v) Supervised practicum, field placement, or internship in industrial/organizational psychology which emphasized the application of psychological principles to problems of organizations and the problems of individuals in work and organizational settings

(d) School Psychology

1. Qualifying coursework must have been taken while enrolled in a doctoral program which specified in pertinent institutional catalogs and brochures its intent to educate and train school psychologists.

2. Qualifying coursework must have included the following areas (minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours):

(i) Intellectual Assessment

(ii) Assessment of Educational Abilities and Achievement

(iii) Theory of Intervention in Educational Settings

(iv) Practicum in School Psychology

(v) Child/Developmental Psychology

(vi) Consultation and Program Planning

(vii) Electives in School Psychology

(viii) An internship in school psychology which emphasized the application of psychological principles and skills to learning problems and which met the criteria outlined in Rule 750-X-2-.07 must be completed.

(3) The Board will review transcripts and related material to assess the applicant's area of specialization.

(4) Applicants should claim specialization based upon their education and training. Board recognition of specialty areas at the time of licensure requires the licensee to identify his/her specialty area and to practice within the limits of his/her education and training.

(5) An individual desiring to add to or alter specialization areas should apply to the Board. Any changes in major areas of specialization should be accomplished through enrollment in an appropriate doctoral training program and appropriate internship where relevant. Continuing education is not sufficient to substantiate a change in specialization area.

Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2-.06

Rule entitled "Reciprocity" filed September 21, 1982. Repealed and new rule entitled "Area of Specialization" filed November 5, 1987. Amended: Filed April 6, 1989, April 5, 1990. Amended: Filed September 21, 1994; effective October 26, 1994. Amended: Filed November 25, 1997; effective December 30, 1997. Amended: Filed May 14, 1998; effective June 18, 1998. Amended: Filed September 17, 2002; effective October 22, 2002.

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 34-26-1, etseq.; 34-26-22.