Training for psychologists in French universities:

1. Third International Conference on Teaching of Psychology (ICTP-2008). St.-Petersburg Psychological Society, St-Petersburg State University,  July 12-16, 2008. Training for psychologists in French universities: an introduction and a look at the current debates in this area Benoît Schneider President of the AEPU Association des Enseignants-chercheurs en Psychologie des Universités, Catherine Wieder Secretaire of the AEPU St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

2. Introduction: Training in psychology and university training for psychologists, in France St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

3. Introduction: training in psychology and university training for psychologists, in France  Main characteristics of the model used in training future psychologists St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

4. 1.Introduction: training in psychology and university training for psychologists, in France  Main characteristics of the model used in training future psychologists  Assets and weaknesses St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

5. 1.Introduction: training in psychology and university training for psychologists,in France Main characteristics of the university model used in training future psychologists • Assets and weaknesses • Evolution factors St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

6. Characteristics of the university model used in training for psychology and future psychologists St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

7. Characteristics of the university model used in training for psychology and future psychologists  Specifications of the training for psychologists within and via university education • One of the most attractive subjects in higher education • Studying psychology or becoming a psychologist? • At Master level: a late selection St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

8. Characteristics of the university model used in training for psychology and future psychologists (1) Specifications of the training for psychologists within and via university education The 25 july 1985 law: a protected title Degree + Master + stage  No selective entry for admission St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

9. Characteristics of the university model used in training for psychology and future psychologists (2) One of the most attractive subjects in higher education  More than 65.000 students - 1997 : 57.500 - 2001: 62.500 - 2006: 67.200 - 2007: 64.400 25% of the European students of psychology St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

10. Characteristics of the university model used in training for psychology and future psychologists (3) Studying psychology or becoming a psychologist? At bachelor’s degree (licence) level: - a « weakened » specialization - diversified expectations poorly taken into account St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

11. Characteristics of the university model used in training for psychology and future psychologists (4) At Master level: a late selection Restricted intake at M2 entrance only St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

12. 2. Assets and weaknesses St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

13. Assets and weaknesses (+) • A high level requirement: a research training using research • A flexible and reactive vocational training system St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

14. Assets and weaknesses (+) (1) A high level requirement: a practical training coupled with a research training based on research • Diplôme national de Master, Arrêté du 25-04-02, art.6. « La formation comprend (…) une initiation à la recherche et notamment la rédaction d’un mémoire (…). » « The training includes (…) an initiation to research and a dissertation (…). » • Arrêté du 19-05-2006 relatif aux modalités d’organisation du stage professionnel [en vue de l’obtention] du titre de psychologue, art.2. « Le stage professionnel est d’une durée minimale de 500 heures (…) » « A more than 500 hours long vocational training course (…) » St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

15. Assets and weaknesses (+) (2) A flexible and reactive vocational training system : From DESS to Masters Pro, from DEA to Masters Recherche St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

16. Assets and weaknesses (-) • A flexible training system… but with a lack of visibility for the employers • An excess quantity of degrees and/or graduates? • A selection applied too late • A lack of trainers • A too strict status of the occupation of Professor-Researcher • Wrong relations between training and teaching • A subject facing strong theoretical and ideological divergences • An overall university context little suitable for evolution St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

17. Assets and weaknesses (-) • A flexible training system… but with a lack of visibility for the employers  Complicated titles  Unclear degree listings  Badly identified training courses and competences St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

18. Assets and weaknesses (-) (2) An excess quantity of degrees and/or graduates? St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

19. Assets and weaknesses (-) (3) A too late applied selection Two times more students in M1 than in M2  Systematized strategies in holding back or repeating years  Years of studies without any valuable degree  A major problem in degrees educational consistency  Integration difficulties  A deskilling of the profession St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

20. Assets and weaknesses (-) (4) A lack of trainers  2004 facts  One trainer for 67 students St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

21. Assets and weaknesses (-) (5) A too strict and too lenient status of the occupation of Professor-Researcher  Dispensatory status of the Professor-researcher  Not well known practice  No contractual agreement St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

22. Assets and weaknesses (-) (6) Wrong relations between research and teaching  Vocational degrees based on research?  A loose link between research and professionalization St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

23. Assets and weaknesses (-) (7) Psychology: a subject facing strong theoretical and ideological divergences  Organisations and decision making processes St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

24. Assets and weaknesses (-) (8) An overall university context little suitable for evolution  Exemple : the selection process St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

25. 3. A few potential factors for change St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

26. 3. A few potential factors for change • A progressive clarification of the training plan • External pressures compel to define the required competences • The enrolment of professionals in the training course has started • The control of the integration into the world of work and the employment must be supported • The beginning of work among professional organizations St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

27. 3. A few potential factors for change • A progressive clarification of the training system  Bachelor’s degrees and vocational degrees  Restricted admission at M1 entrance  The « Master unique » (merging of master pro and research) St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

28. 3. A few potential factors for change (2) External pressures compel to define the required competences • The national committee for authentification of foreign degrees in psychology(« Commission nationale chargée d’évaluer le niveau des diplômes étrangers en psychologie ») 2007: 194 applications (92 in UE ; 102 out UE) 138 accepted • Authentification of Skills and Experiences (VAE : « Validation des acquis de l’expérience ») Europsy St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

29. 3. A few potential factors for change (3) The enrolment of professionals in the training course has started: The May 19th 2006 decree  This enrolment is to become institutionalized and vocational St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

30. 3. A few potential factors for change (4) The control of the integration into the world of work and the employment must be supported  The observers of student paths and their integration into the world of work  Number of psychologists in France? St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

31. 3. A few potential factors for change (5) The beginning of work among professional organizations St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

32. 4. Conclusions St Petersburg - ICTP 2008

33. Thank you for your attention! St Petersburg - ICTP 2008