There are two forms of professional recognition of a Psychology Graduate's training that are of concern to most Sydney Graduates. The first is recognition by the NSW Psychologists Registration Board, the Board which determines who may practise Psychology in NSW. The second is recognition by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) which is the professional body representing Psychologists in Australia.

The requirements for membership of the APS and for registration as a Psychologist with the NSW Psychologists Registration Board are set out below. Note that the former requires six years of university training while the latter requires only four years (plus two years of supervision by a registered psychologist).

The basic four-year (honours) undergraduate degree programs offered by the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney are recognised by both of these professional bodies. These programs can be completed within the Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Science (Honours), Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Bachelor of Liberal Studies (Honours) or Bachelor of Economic and Social Sciences degrees.

At the completion of the Psychology Honours year University of Sydney graduates can seek conditional registration as a Psychologist in NSW and hence be employed within the profession. To gain membership of the professional society (APS) a further two years of APS accredited university training is required.

"Membership of the Australian Psychological Society requires six years of university training. These six years may take several forms, although all will be based on completion of a three year sequence with at least a single major in Psychology followed by either an Honours year or a Postgraduate Diploma of an equivalent standard. Following the basic four years of training, there is the choice between continuing a research training through a Masters or PhD or undertaking further university training of a professional and specialised nature through a coursework Masters or doctoral training." (APS Accreditation Guidelines, 1995, pi).

Note: All courses of study must be APS accredited.

More information can be found at: http://www.psychology.org.au/

Registration with the NSW Psychologists Registration Board is required in order to practise as a Psychologist in NSW.
"Registration may be granted to a person who is of good character who has successfully completed a course of at least 4 years full time study (or equivalent part time) specialising in psychology and provided by a tertiary institution recognised by the Board and has two years practical experience in psychology satisfactory to the Board" (NSW Psychologists Registration Board Registration Information Kit, 1996).

After completion of the four year program students must obtain two years of practical experience under the supervision of a registered psychologist before full registration can be granted. During this two year period of supervision Conditional Registration may be granted and the trainee refers to herself/himself as "a psychologist-in-training or an intern psychologist".

More information can be found at: http://www.psychreg.health.nsw.gov.au/