With the implementation of the Standards of Accreditation (SoA) in 2017, accredited programs were given a specific framework with which to describe the competencies in which trainees are prepared. For doctoral and doctoral internship programs, the profession-wide competencies (PWCs) offer nine (9) broad competency areas in which all trainees must be appropriately trained by the completion of training. Postdoctoral programs are to prepare residents in Levels 1, 2 and/or 3 competencies by the completion of residency. Information about these requirements are available in the following Implementing Regulations (IRs): C-8 D, C-8 I, IR C-9 P: Profession-Wide Competencies.
While PWCs were created to provide a standard set of applied training requirements for all programs, the CoA understood that many programs offer training that extends beyond the PWCs. For programs offering broader training, program-specific competencies (PSCs) were introduced. PSCs are measurable, specific areas of knowledge, skills, or attitudes related to Health Service Psychology that are comprised of multiple elements (see the definition of “competency” and “element” in the glossary), extend beyond the nine (9) PWC areas, and are consistent with the program’s stated aims and with general accreditation requirements.
PSCs are not required; instead, they offer programs an opportunity to describe training elements that augment and expand upon the nine required PWCs should they so choose. Programs may choose to articulate PSCs that speak to a specific emphasis area or to unique dimensions of their training settings. Examples of PSCs could include “advocacy” and “group intervention”.
PSCs must be described in self-study tables, and PSC-related data must be provided. Program-specific items are to be described in Table 4 for doctoral programs, Table 3 for doctoral internship programs and Table 2 for postdoctoral programs (PSCs are described as Level 2 competencies at the postdoctoral level). Programs are to refer to the data regulations for their level of training for information about proximal and distal PSC data; however, programs should note that data must be provided for all outcome measures including those for PWCs and PSCs (along with discipline-specific knowledge areas for doctoral programs). Those with additional questions about PSCs are encouraged to contact us.