Perspectives of psychology graduates on the registration of psychologists in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study sought to explore the views of psychology graduates on the process of registration as a psychologist in Zimbabwe. Specific areas of interest to the researchers were the views of psychology graduates on the academic qualifications required for registration, the post graduate internship programme, continuing professional development and the board examinations. An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was done by conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews to twelve purposely selected psychology graduates. All participants had a master’s degree of which five were registered psychologists and the rest were not registered. Three major themes were generated from the analysis of the participants’ interviews and these were: academic qualifications for registration, post graduate internship, board examinations and continuing professional development. Generally, the results reveal lack of choices at masters’ degree programmes resulting in participants embarking on counselling and community psychology degrees. They also showed dislike on the continuing professional development points due to barriers such as localisation of workshops and lack of time to do research. The board of examination was viewed positively. The study recommends that the Allied Health Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe needs to collaborate with universities, psychology interns and registered psychologists in the best way forward in registration and practice of psychologists.

Key Words: Registration; Internship; Psychologist; Qualification; Board Examination