Psychopharmacology Educational Guidelines and Programs

1)   1996 APA Recommendations for Level III Training:

A: 300 contact hours of didactic instruction

B: Core content areas:

Neurosciences, pharmacology, psychopharmacology, physiology and pathophysiology, physical and laboratory assessment and clinical pharmacotherapeutics

     C: Internship of 100 patients, one year and multiple settings

2) Types of Psychopharmacology Training  Currently Offered:

A: National programs that contract with individual psychologists and make extensive use of Internet and video technologies or conduct education central locations and invite participants to travel to the sight of programming.

B: National Programs that contract with individual State organizations to provide “on sight and live” programming.

C: State, “home grown” programs, typically operated through a local, State University.

3) Current Nationally-Based Programs

A: First and largest: Prescribing Psychologists Register: Initial training was done in New York and California. Reported to be about 500 graduates from this class. Individuals can contact The Fielding Institute in California for online and video programming. Contact: 805.898.4009    www.fielding.edu/pph/index.htm

2: Fairleigh Dickinson University: Classes are primarily provided through videotaped presentations and textbooks.  Internet used to facilitate discussions, assignments and quizzes.  Contact: 877.471.1454

3: The Psychopharmacology Institute: All courses currently provided through extensive, web-based program. Contact: 402.423.6990 www.nmhc-clinics.com/pages/TPI/ppp.html

National Programs that Contract with Individual State Organizations

1. California School of Professional Psychology:

CSPP has currently active programs in California, Texas, Hawaii and Louisiana.

2. Prescribing Psychologists Register:

PPR is currently conducting classes in Florida, Texas, New Mexico.

“Home Grown” State Programs

1. Florida Psychological Association and Nova Southeastern University

2. Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology

3. University of Georgia and Georgia State University

4) National Psychopharmacology Exams:

  A. Prescribing Psychologists Register: Offered through PPR to graduates of all level III programs.

  B. APA College of Professional Psychology: Exam will be administered at local Sylvan Centers and will be offered to state licensing boards to be used for credentialing.

For more info or questions contact OPPA President David C. Deal, PhD, FICPP, drde@defnet.com Phone: 419.784.3393