Psychologist Degrees in Colorado - CO

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 7 2010

Post-graduate Exposure Requirements for a Psychology Degree in Colorado:

• The Board of Examiners will approve the post-doctoral supervised practice experience as it meets the requirements listed for licensure
• All practice hours compiled must be filed with the Board, accompanied by a verified statement signed by the approved supervisor(s) affirming the acceptable completion of the required practice of psychotherapy under their supervision

The Board will accept any of the following, but not limited to, as an approved supervisor:

• A licensed psychologist in the concentration stated by the individual in which the applicant’s hours were attained
• A psychiatrist certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, where the applicant attained hours under supervision of an area of psychology
• A psychologist who is licensed under the highest possible level of another area of psychology not pronounced by the applicant, but must document knowledge of the individual in that observed area

The approved supervisor is required to keep records of training techniques, experience and job task evaluation, and recognize the applicant with the exact number of hours completed under their supervision

Number of Hours Needed for Post-Doctoral Practicing under Guidance to Earn a Psychology Degree in Colorado:

• These hours cannot be completed in less than 12 months, but graduates can obtain these hours under more than one approved supervisor
• The individual must have at least 1,500 hours obtained and dispersed over a minimum of 12 months
• Teaching psychology can count for up to 50 hours of supervised experience in courses with a similar concentration specified by applicant
• Hours obtained under a certified psychiatrist can account for up to 375 hours
• Hours researching psychology can count for up to 500 hours
• Each applicant must have at least 50 hours of training in the subject of racial and ethnic basis of behavior

Number of Hours of Post-Doctoral Supervision Required to Earn a Psychology Degree in Colorado:

• A minimum of 75 hours of supervision needs to be acquired, 50 of which must be with direct contact with an approved supervisor, and the remainder of the hours under group supervision
• These hours must be divided evenly among a minimum of a 12 month time span

Continuing Education for Psychologists in Colorado:

According to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) current survey, Colorado is one of eleven states in the United States that does not require any continued education credit hours for the renewal of license for those who hold a psychology degree in Colorado. Although, there are many schools in the state of Colorado that offer continuing education programs for psychologists. However, it is not mandatory in order to renew a license or continue practicing psychology in Colorado. If a licensed psychologist in Colorado decides to continue his or her education, they are given numerous opportunities, but must still comply with the regulations set up by the American Psychological Association. By taking the step of continuing education, a psychologist is given the chance to showcase his or her own ideas, better develop personal skills in researching, writing, and presenting psychological ideals, or other related information on current issues. Continuing education programs also allow an individual to teach others in various formats and concentrations of psychology.

The following are 6 areas in which an individual can acquire approved credit hours for continuing education:

1. Attending speakers, program meetings, or psychology seminars
2. Participating in study groups
3. Attending psychology workshops
4. Successfully completing continuing education psychology courses (can be obtained through an accredited continuing education program or through approved online courses)
5. Teaching a psychology related course at an accredited college or university
6. Having his or her professional writings (article, book, chapter in textbook) published by a psychological association or related journal

• In order to acquire credit for these 6 areas, each must be sponsored, co-sponsored, or approved by the American Psychological Association
• Workshops or courses not approved or sponsored by the APA will not count as credit hours toward continuing education
• Each area is only allotted a certain number of credit hours
• Credit hours must be obtained by the time of the two-year renewal date
• The regulation of continuing education credit hours typically includes 40 credit hours