Policies and Standards for Graduate Programs in Psychology

November 18, 2010

CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 039-10

 

In accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994," CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 36, s. 1998, "Policies and Standards on Graduate Education," CMO No. 9, s. 2003, "Addendum to CMO No. 36, s. 1998 entitled Policies and Standards on Graduate Education" and by virtue of CEB Resolution No. 289-2010 dated November 12, 2010 and for the purpose of making relevant the general principles and guidelines for the establishment and operation of Master of Psychology, Master of Arts/Science in Psychology and Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology programs in all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the country, this set of Policies and Standards (PS) is hereby adopted and promulgated by this Commission.

ARTICLE I

Introduction

SECTION 1. Rationale and Background. — Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Psychology as a discipline and professional practice contributes to national development through basic and applied research and interventions aimed at solving problems and promoting optimal development and functioning at the individual, family, group, organizations/institutions, community, and national levels. The graduate programs in psychology provide high level training in teaching and research in psychology and in the practice of the profession.

ARTICLE II

Authority to Operate

SECTION 2. Master's Program. — Only Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with Level III accredited undergraduate programs including psychology may apply to offer the Masters Program. However, in the absence of a Level III accredited Psychology undergraduate program, the alternatives as provided for in paragraph 4.0, paragraph 2 (Alternative Criteria) of CMO 9, s. 2003 shall apply, to wit:

"Thus, the following are to be considered as alternatives to Level III accreditation for these programs: (1) The higher education institution has Level III accreditation in the Liberal Arts or in a discipline closely related to the program for which government authority is being sought; or (2) The higher education institution is a Center of Excellence (or where no COEs have been identified, a Center of Development) in the discipline of the program for which government authority is being sought or in a closely related discipline. In addition, a strong research program in the area of study being applied for is required. ADaEIH

A strong research program should be indicated by the following:

4.1 Research Unit. The university should have a research unit that manages, monitors and evaluates research activities and manned by permanent staff.

4.2 Pool of qualified faculty. The HEI should have faculty members who are holders of masters and/or doctorate degree responsible for handling the research activities specific to the discipline being applied for. For those applying to offer a master's degree program, the faculty profile should be 25% MS degree holders and 75% should be Ph.D.s. For those applying to offer doctorate degree programs, the faculty members must all be Ph.D. holders.

4.3 Policies. The HEI should have policies and guidelines on benefits and incentives for faculty undertaking research work e.g., deloading, research awards, patents and intellectual property rights (IPR).

4.4 Research Agenda. The HEI should have a clearly stated research agenda that includes the discipline being applied for. This agenda ideally should: 1) be anchored on the institution's philosophy and framework, 2) be responsive to identified goals and prioritized niches in the arts and sciences, 3) be aligned with the National Higher Education Research Agenda (NHERA) and other research thrusts, and 4) answer the needs of industry for economic development.

4.5 Publication and Presentation in Conferences. The HEI should show proof of publications in refereed national and international journals in the specified discipline. The faculty members should likewise present their research accomplishments in local and international fora.

4.6 Research Unit Facilities. The research unit shall have adequate facilities for the conduct of research in the specified discipline.

4.7 Research Budget. In order to ensure the continuous operation of the Research Unit and the conduct of research in the college/university, it is imperative that a provision for a reasonable budget of at least 25% of the total school budget be allotted for its research undertakings."

HEIs with Autonomous status may offer this program without seeking an authority to operate from the Commission but they have to comply with the minimum requirements provided for under this CMO.

SECTION 3. Doctoral Program. — Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that have a recognized Master's program in Psychology with at least Level I accreditation and having offered a successful Master's degree program for at least five (5) years may apply to offer the Doctoral program.

All HEIs shall operate the aforesaid programs only upon issuance of the corresponding authority by the Commission.

ARTICLE III

Program Specifications

SECTION 4. Degree Names. —

a. Non-Thesis Master's Program in Psychology: Master of Psychology (MP)

b. Thesis Master's Program in Psychology: Master of Arts/Science (M.A./M.S.) in Psychology EADSIa

c. Doctoral Program: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology

SECTION 5. Program Description. —

1. Objectives

a. Master's Program: This program aims to provide graduate students with high level training in teaching, research, and professional practice in psychology. These objectives apply to both the non-thesis and thesis programs, however, the non-thesis program has a slightly stronger emphasis on the development of professional skills relative to research skills; whereas the thesis program has a slightly stronger emphasis on research skills compared to professional skills.

b. Doctoral Program: This program aims to provide graduate students with high level training in teaching, research, and professional practice in psychology with emphasis on high level of specialization in a field within psychology.

2. Specific professions/careers/occupations that graduates of this program may go into.

a. Master's Program — Graduates of the Master's programs may become teachers and researchers in psychology and practice in a specific major area of psychology based on their training.

b. Doctoral Program — Graduates of the doctoral program are trained to do high level academic work in psychology as teachers and researchers as well as to be specialists in the practice of psychology within their field of specialization.

ARTICLE IV

Competency Standards

SECTION 6. Graduates of the Master's Program Should Be Able to:

1. Demonstrate theoretical knowledge in psychology; specifically,

(a) demonstrate an in-depth understanding of theories, principles, concepts and skills in a specific area of specialization in psychology,

(b) develop and sustain arguments about, and critically evaluate established principles in a specific area of specialization in psychology,

(c) comprehend and evaluate new information related to a specific area of specialization psychology (e.g., theory, concepts, data) that may be presented in various forms and from various sources.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of advanced methods of psychological inquiry in a specific area of specialization in psychology; specifically,

(d) understand and explain the advanced methods of inquiry in the area of specialization in psychology,

(e) critically evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to problem solving in the area of specialization, and

(f) apply this specialized knowledge to make judgments, create approaches to solving problems in an academic, research, applied or an employment context, in ways that involve rigorous thinking and independent work.

3. Apply specialized psychological theories and methods; specifically

(g) correctly apply the theories, principles, concepts and skills in creative and flexible ways in a specific area of specialization in psychology in an academic, research, applied or employment context, cTDIaC

(h) undertake advanced research in a specific area of specialization in psychology using the advanced knowledge and skills in psychology, and communicate the results of such research to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

4. Demonstrate understanding of the ethical dimensions of the use of psychological theories and methods, especially in research and professional practice.

5. Continue to advance their knowledge and skills in their area of specialization using the established sources of advanced information in the field.

6. Undertake further training for developing existing skills and acquiring higher level competencies either through further graduate education or in employment context.

As such, graduates of masters degrees in Psychology are capable of handling advanced academic and professional requirements in the field of teaching psychology, research, and professional practice in the graduates' area of specialization in psychology.

SECTION 7. Graduates of the Doctoral Program Should Be Able to:

1. Demonstrate theoretical knowledge in psychology; specifically,

(a) demonstrate a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of theories, principles, concepts and skills that are in the forefront of a specific area of specialization in psychology,

(b) develop and sustain arguments about, and critically evaluate both established and emerging knowledge in a specific area of specialization in psychology,

(c) comprehend and evaluate new information related to a specific area of specialization psychology (e.g., theory, concepts, data) that may be presented in various forms and from various sources.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of a broad range of advanced methods of psychological inquiry in a specific area of specialization in psychology; specifically, 

(d) Understand, explain, and critically evaluate the appropriateness of the various advanced methods of inquiry in the area of specialization in psychology, and

(e) conceptualize, design, and implement research projects for the generation of new knowledge and/or applications of knowledge, and adjust the project design in consideration of external exigencies.

3. Apply specialized psychological theories and methods; specifically,

(f) extend this body of advanced theoretical, professional, and methodological knowledge by generating new knowledge through research of a level of quality that meets standards of peer-review and eventually merit publication in scholarly refereed journals in psychology and related fields, cEASTa

(g) correctly apply the theories, principles, concepts and skills in creative and flexible ways in a specific area of specialization in psychology in varied academic, research, applied or employment contexts,

(h) apply this specialized knowledge in innovative ways to make informed judgments about relevant issues, create approaches to solving problems in an academic, research, applied or an employment context, in ways that involve rigorous thinking and independent work, and

(i) communicate with specialist and non-specialist audiences regarding how specialized knowledge in psychology can be applied to make judgments about relevant issues.

4. Demonstrate understanding of the ethical dimensions of the use of psychological theories and methods, especially in research and professional practice.

5. Continue to advance their knowledge and skills in their area of specialization using the established sources of advanced information in the field.

6. Undertake further specialized training for developing existing skills and acquiring higher level competencies in the employment context.

As such, graduates of doctoral degrees in Psychology are capable of handling advanced academic and professional requirements in the field of teaching psychology at the graduate level, conduct research that advances the body of basic and/or applied knowledge in psychology, and undertake professional practice in the graduates' area of specialization in psychology.

ARTICLE V

Curriculum

SECTION 8. Curriculum Description. — The institution is given the flexibility to design its own curriculum for its graduate programs subject to the Policies and Standards for Graduate Programs in Psychology.

SECTION 9. Curriculum Outline. —

			Doctor of Philosophy in
			Psychology
	M.P.	M.A./M.S.	W/ M.A./M.S. 1	W/O M.A./M.S. 2
Core Subjects
Advanced Statistics I	3	3		3
Advanced Research Methods I	3	3		3
Advanced Statistics II			3	3
Advanced Research Methods II			3	3
Major Subjects	15	15	12	27
Minor Subjects	3	3	9	9
Field Practicum	6
Research Project				Yes
Comprehensive Exams	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Thesis		6
Internship			6	6
Dissertation			12	12
Total (w/o Internship)			39	60
Total (w/ Internship)	30	30	45	66

SECTION 10. Thesis/Project Requirements. —

1. M.P. — The Master of Psychology (M.P.) is a practitioner's degree. In lieu of the thesis, a 6-unit Field Practicum is undertaken.

2. M.A./M.S. in Psychology — The Master of Arts/Science (M.A./M.S.) in Psychology is a teaching/research degree. It is intended for those pursuing the teaching/research career track in psychology and is considered as a preparatory degree towards the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology. Hence, a thesis is required for the degree. cDCHaS

3. Ph.D. in Psychology — The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology is a research and teaching degree. It also provides advanced practitioner training in the form of a 6-unit internship in appropriate fields such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and industrial/organizational psychology. Students with an M.A./M.S. degree in Psychology take a total of 45 units for the Ph.D. degree. Students without an M.A./M.S. degree in Psychology take a total of 66 units for the Ph.D. degree. In fields that do not require Internship, the total units are 39 and 60, respectively. Students without an M.A./M.S. degree in Psychology (including those with the M.P.) have to submit a research project before the comprehensive examinations. The research project is in the students' chosen area of expertise, and must be approved based on the department's criteria.

ARTICLE VI

Other Requirements

SECTION 11. Program Administration. —

1. Qualifications. For programs that offer a PhD in Psychology, the director/chair/head of the program shall be a holder of an earned doctoral degree in psychology. For programs that offer a Masters in Psychology, the director/chair/head of the program should have at least a Masters degree in Psychology.

2. Functions/Responsibilities. The director/chair/head of the program oversees the program, ensures that the faculty members meet the basic requirements and that the standards of quality of the program are maintained.

SECTION 12. Faculty. —

1. For the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology, there should be at least five (5) full-time faculty with Ph.D. in Psychology from a recognized HEI who are active in research and with publications in the areas of specialization offered in the program within the last five years.

2. For the master's programs, i.e., Master of Psychology (M.P.) and Master of Arts/Science (M.A./M.S.) in Psychology, there should be at least two (2) full-time faculty with Ph.D. in Psychology and three (3) full-time faculty with masters degree in Psychology from a recognized HEI who are active in research and with publications in the areas of specialization offered in the program within the last ten years.

SECTION 13. Library. —

1. Librarians. There should be an adequately equipped library that will provide all the basic textbooks, as well as reference materials for research and other scholarly purposes, as well as resources for current trends. The following are the minimum staff requirements:

b. A college/institution/department library should have a full-time librarian who is a holder of Master in Library and Information Science degree with a valid PRC license.

c. There should be one full-time librarian for the first 500 students enrolled, and for an enrollment of 1,000 students two (2) full-time librarians shall be required.

d. Library assistant/s must be a holder/s of Bachelor of Library and Information Science degree.

2. Library Holdings

a. The library requirements for undergraduate programs should be met. TCIDSa

b. At least five (5) refereed journals in psychology in the area of specialization offered by the institution.

c. At least five (5) graduate level books in every course/subject offered under the program, at least three (3) of which should have been published in the last five (5) years.

d. The use of CD-ROMs, Internet, subscription to e-journals and other education technologies is strongly encouraged and should be accessible to the graduate students.

SECTION 14. Laboratories and Other Facilities. —

1. There should be a psychological research laboratory with various equipment which may be relevant for conducting psychological research. For each institution, the type of equipment will depend on the research thrusts and interests of the psychology faculty.

2. There should be an up-to-date collection of psychological test materials (i.e., intelligence, aptitude, personality, and projective tests). A list of recommended psychological test materials is supplied (see Annex C). Each category of test should be represented in the collection.

3. There should be at least five (5) computers in the Department of Psychology with Internet access for the use of faculty and students.

SECTION 15. Admission, Retention and Maximum Residency Requirements. —

1. Admission. The institution shall have a valid entrance examination. The institution can likewise have additional requirements (e.g., essay, interview, teaching/work experience, etc.) as it may deem appropriate for admission into its programs.

2. Retention. Grade point average of not less than 2 or B, or the equivalent thereof.

3. Maximum Residency Requirement. Schools may have its own requirement but it should not be more than the number of years required by CHED.

SECTION 16. Prerequisites. — The following are the minimum undergraduate prerequisites in order to take the graduate level subjects in the M.P., M.A./M.S., and Ph.D. programs:

1. General Psychology, Psychological Statistics, Experimental Psychology, and the introductory undergraduate course of the area in which the student will specialize in his/her graduate program; for instance,

a. The undergraduate Abnormal Psychology course is a prerequisite for students majoring in Clinical/Counseling Psychology at the graduate level; DHcTaE

b. The undergraduate Industrial Psychology course is a prerequisite for students majoring in Industrial Psychology at the graduate level;

c. The undergraduate Developmental Psychology course is a prerequisite for students majoring in Developmental Psychology at the graduate level, etc.

ARTICLE VII

Transitory Provisions

SECTION 17. All HEIs with existing permit or recognition for Master of Psychology (M.P.), Master of Arts/Science (M.A./M.S.) in Psychology, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology programs are hereby given a period of three (3) years from the effectivity thereof, within which to fully comply with all the requirements in this CMO. SUCs and LUCs shall also comply with the requirements herein set forth.

ARTICLE VIII

Sanctions

SECTION 18. For violation of this Order, the Commission may impose such administrative sanction as it may deem appropriate pursuant to the pertinent provisions of RA 7722, in relation to Section 69 of BP 232 otherwise known as the Higher Education Act of 1982, and Sections 63 of Article XII and Sections 142-143 of Article XXVI of the Manual of Regulations for Private Higher Education of 2008 (MORPHE), CMO 33, series of 2009 and other related laws.

ARTICLE IX

Separability and Repealing Clause

SECTION 19. Any provision of this Order, which may thereafter be held invalid, shall not affect the remaining provisions. 

ARTICLE X

Effectivity Clause

SECTION 20. This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Quezon City, Philippines, November 18, 2010.

For the Commission:

(SGD.) PATRICIA B. LICUANAN, Ph.D.ChairpersonCommission on Higher Education

Footnotes

1. For those entering the Ph.D. program with a masters degree in psychology.

2. For those entering the Ph.D. program without a masters degree in psychology.

Attachments available upon request.