The senior examination in Behavioral Psychology is intended to be fully as rigorous and thorough as the standard examination. However, it makes use of a different type of work sample and an examination format tailored to the unique situation of a professionally involved senior behavioral psychologist. DEFINITION OF A SENIOR BEHAVIORAL PSYCHOLOGIST All those applying for the senior examination must meet the basic eligibility requirements for the Diplomate in Behavioral Psychology (see the general manual for Behavioral Psychology). In addition, they must meet the following criteria:
2. Continuous contributions to the field of behavioral psychology as evidenced by at least two of the following criteria: a. Fellow status in the American Psychological Association in a professionally relevant division. b. Publications of books and/or articles in the field of behavioral psychology. c. Service on behaviorally-oriented journal editorial boards. d. Presentations at professional conferences on behavioral psychology topics, especially invited addresses. e. Workshop and/or seminar presentations in the community. f. Case consultations on behavioral psychology in community facilities or elsewhere. g. Behavioral Psychology supervision of students, independent practitioners, and/or employees. h. Conducting training sessions in behavioral psychology assessments, interventions, and/or ethical considerations for the professional community. 3. Known and respected by colleagues in the field of behavioral psychology by the above activities and/or involvement in professional psychology organizations. PROFESSIONAL STATEMENT AND WORK SAMPLE 1. Professional statement. The applicant for a senior examination should submit a vita and a two-three page summary of current and past activities as well as a description of his/her contributions to behavioral psychology. The vita should be organized to highlight the criteria. 2. Work sample. Instead of the specially prepared work sample required for the traditional examination, applicants for the senior examination may submit one or more of the following:
b. A statement of the candidate's professional practice and how it involves principles and procedures in behavioral psychology. This can typically be described in five to seven pages. c. Description of a clinical research project that has been influential in behavioral psychology along with a statement regarding how it has been influential. This can typically be described in five to seven pages. d. Description of teaching/training activities that have been influential in behavioral psychology along with a statement regarding how it has been influential. If appropriate, list doctoral advisees who have contributed professionally to behavioral psychology. This can typically be described in five to seven pages. In summary, the examining committee will be looking for evidence that demonstrates the candidate's sustained and high quality professional practice and involvement over at least 15 years. The professional statement and work sample should be prepared with that in mind. The application procedures are the same as those for the standard application for the Diplomate in Behavioral Psychology (see the general ABBP manual). Applications who wish to take the senior examination should note such when submitting their initial credentials. Stage One: Application Process The psychologist contacts the ABPP Central Office for an application, fills it out completely, and returns it to the Central Office. If the applicant is listed in the National Register, no documentation of transcripts or licenses is required but the National Register must release transcripts to ABPP. The Central Office then reviews the applicant's licensure status and conducts whatever additional verification seems appropriate. Once all records have been assembled and verified, the Central Office then sends the materials to the ABBP credentials reviewer who reviews the applicant's education, training, and experience for appropriateness in behavioral psychology. Following approval, the applicant is advanced to candidacy status and invited to submit the personal statement and work sample to the ABBP work sample coordinator. Stage Two: Materials and work sample review The work sample coordinator will examine these materials for completeness and appropriateness in behavioral psychology. The coordinator will either approve the materials as submitted or will send them back to Central Office with a request for additional materials, information, or clarification. Once the personal statement and work sample have been approved, the work sample coordinator will pass the materials on to the examination coordinator who will work with the candidate to construct an examining committee at a mutually convenient time and place. Stage Three: Oral Examination The examination will last about 3 2 hours at a time and place of mutual convenience of the examiners and candidate. All materials should have been submitted to, and reviewed by, the examiners in advance of the examination. The exam format will be approximately as follows: The committee chair then transmits the rating forms and committee decision to the ABPP Central Office for candidate notification. Appeal procedures follow those outlined in the materials for Behavioral Psychology examinations. |