Competencies Expected of Students

1. Research

Students will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and competence sufficient to produce new knowledge, to critically evaluate and use existing knowledge to solve problems, and to disseminate research. They are expected to

Demonstrate the substantially independent ability to formulate research or other scholarly activities (e.g., critical literature reviews, dissertation, efficacy studies, clinical case studies, theoretical papers, program evaluation projects, program development projects) that are of sufficient quality and rigor to have the potential to contribute to the scientific, psychological, or professional knowledge base.
Conduct research or other scholarly activities.
Critically evaluate and disseminate research or other scholarly activity via professional publication and presentation at the local (including the host institution), regional, or national level.
Demonstrate the substantially independent ability to critically evaluate and disseminate research or other scholarly activities (e.g., case conference, presentation, publications) at the local (including the host institution), regional, or national level.

2. Ethical and Legal Standards

Students will follow legal and ethical standards in increasingly complex situations with a greater degree of independence across levels of training. They are expected to

Be knowledgeable of and act in accordance with each of the following:

the current version of the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct;
relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing health service psychology at the organizational, local, state, regional, and federal levels; and
relevant professional standards and guidelines.

Recognize ethical dilemmas as they arise, and apply ethical decision-making processes in order to resolve the dilemmas.
Conduct self in an ethical manner in all professional activities.

3. Individual and Cultural Diversity

Students will demonstrate the ability to conduct all professional activities with sensitivity to human diversity, including the ability to deliver high quality services to an increasingly diverse population, in increasingly complex situations with a greater degree of independence as they progress across levels of training. They are expected to

demonstrate an understanding of how their own personal/cultural history, attitudes, and biases may affect how they understand and interact with people different from themselves;
display knowledge of the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base as it relates to addressing diversity in all professional activities including research, training, supervision/consultation, and service;
possess the ability to integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural differences in the conduct of professional roles (e.g., research, services, and other professional activities).
Demonstrate the requisite knowledge base, ability to articulate an approach to working effectively with diverse individuals and groups, and apply this approach effectively in their professional work.
Demonstrate the ability to independently apply their knowledge and approach in working effectively with the range of diverse individuals and groups.

4. Professional Values and Attitudes

Students will demonstrate professional values and attitudes in increasingly complex situations with a greater degree of independence across levels of training. They are expected to

Behave in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology, including integrity, deportment, professional identity, accountability, lifelong learning, and concern for the welfare of others.
Engage in self-reflection regarding one’s personal and professional functioning; engage in activities to maintain and improve performance, well-being, and professional effectiveness.
Actively seek and demonstrate openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision.
Respond professionally in increasingly complex situations with a greater degree of independence as they progress across levels of training.
Demonstrate the ability to independently apply their knowledge and approach in working effectively with the range of diverse individuals and groups encountered during internship.

5. Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Students will demonstrated professional communication and interpersonal skills in increasingly complex situations with a greater degree of independence across levels of training. They are expected to

Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, including colleagues, communities, organizations, supervisors, supervisees, and those receiving professional services.
Produce and comprehend oral, nonverbal, and written communications that are informative and well-integrated; demonstrate a thorough grasp of professional language and concepts.
Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and the ability to manage difficult communication well.

6. Assessment

Students will demonstrate competence in conducting evidence-based assessment in increasingly complex situations with a greater degree of independence across levels of training. They are expected to

Demonstrate current knowledge of diagnostic classification systems, functional and dysfunctional behaviors, including consideration of client strengths and psychopathology.
Demonstrate understanding of human behavior within its context (e.g., family, social, societal and cultural).
Demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge of functional and dysfunctional behaviors including context to the assessment and/or diagnostic process.
Select and apply assessment methods that draw from the best available empirical literature and that reflect the science of measurement and psychometrics; collect relevant data using multiple sources and methods appropriate to the identified goals and questions of the assessment as well as relevant diversity characteristics of the service recipient.
Interpret assessment results, following current research and professional standards and guidelines, to inform case conceptualization, classification, and recommendations, while guarding against decision-making biases, distinguishing the aspects of assessment that are subjective from those that are objective.
Communicate orally and in written documents the findings and implications of the assessment in an accurate and effective manner sensitive to a range of audiences.

7. Intervention

Students will demonstrate competence in developing, conducting, and evaluating evidence-based interventions in increasingly complex situations with a greater degree of independence across levels of training. They are expected to

Establish and maintain effective relationships with the recipients of psychological services.
Develop evidence-based intervention plans specific to the service delivery goals.
Implement interventions informed by the current scientific literature, assessment findings, diversity characteristics, and contextual variables.
Demonstrate the ability to apply the relevant research literature to clinical decision making.
modify and adapt evidence-based approaches effectively when a clear evidence-base is lacking,
Evaluate intervention effectiveness, and adapt intervention goals and methods consistent with ongoing evaluation.

8. Supervision

Students will demonstrate competency in supervision through mentoring and monitoring of trainees and others in the development of competence and skill in professional practice and the effective evaluation of those skills. They are expected to

Demonstrate knowledge of supervision models and practices.
Apply this knowledge in direct or simulated practice with psychology trainees, or other health professionals. Examples of direct or simulated practice examples of supervision include, but are not limited to, role-played supervision with others, and peer supervision with other trainees.

9. Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills

Students will demonstrate competence in consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary interactions in increasingly complex situations with a greater degree of independence across levels of training. They are expected to

Demonstrate knowledge and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions.
Demonstrates knowledge of consultation models and practices.
Apply this knowledge in direct or simulated consultation with individuals and their families, other health care professionals, interprofessional groups, or systems related to health and behavior. Direct or simulated practice examples include but are not limited to (a) role-played consultation with others and (b) peer consultation, provision of consultation to other trainees.