1) How does this model below titled Scholar-Practitioner Model apply to my future work in becoming a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst? Be sure to discuss both parts of the Scholar-Practitioner Model as well as becoming future a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst.

2) Discuss how a practitioner can further enhance his/her scholarly knowledge, even after educational and degree goals are met.

3) As a college student what should be some of my professional goals in psychology?

4) What should I hope to accomplish through a psychology program from a top college university?

Scholar-Practitioner Model (Please read to help with answering questions)

A top college university embraces the scholar-practitioner model within their psychology program. A scholar is one who studies and masters their discipline. Scholars are highly educated and naturally inquisitive professionals. In psychology, becoming a scholar involves long hours of studying and learning psychological theory, reading and analyzing research in ones area of interest, and engaging professionally in the field by attending conferences and other learning opportunities.

A practitioner is someone who practices an occupation or a technique to help clients resolve a variety of problems. Practitioners, in a broad sense, are visible in all fields of the social sciences and psychology under varied positions and titles. For example, a professor of psychology is a scholar-practitioner; while a licensed clinical psychologist is a practitioner-scholar who focuses on clinical practice, academic research, or both. A professor of psychology is usually required to have a Ph.D. A practicing clinical psychologist is required to have a terminal degree, or a doctorate degree (a Ph.D. or a Psy.D.) and appropriate state licensure in the state where he/she intends to practice. At a top college university, their goal is to furnish students with the tools to be successful scholar-practitioners. A college university define practitioner in terms of one being able to apply the scientific knowledge and research in psychology to an emphasis area. Titles, positions, areas of interest, etc. vary with each individual, and as stated above, the "practice" of psychology requires state licensure. The completion in psychology program at some of the two college universities is not a professional counseling program, nor does it lead to state licensure and/or practice as an independent psychologist.

It is important that a student learn the foundational underpinnings of the scholar-practitioner model, that a student can develop and build on that model, and then apply that knowledge in your future endeavors. While the scholar-practitioner model indicates that one may practice in the field of psychology upon fulfilling all requirements to do so, it is also important to realize that not all scholars plan to become practitioners. Even if student have no interest in pursuing state licensure, it is imperative that student understand state licensure. Regardless of that student emphasis area, as a student in a program of psychology and future professional in the field, the students need to understand this process.

The top college universities programs involves both study of theory and research leading to mastery of one's emphasis area of interest and the ability to apply that mastery to real world situations. Scholar-practitioners take their knowledge and use it to synthesize, evaluate, and add to their chosen professions. It is also important to realize that regardless of how you plan to apply your knowledge, scholar-practitioners do not cease being scholars once they reach their educational requirements and meet their degree goals. The process of becoming a scholar is one that continues even after goals are met and licenses are earned. Professionals are required to renew their licenses periodically, take continuing education credits, and attend conferences, seminars and annual meetings. It is also important for practitioners to stay active and productive in their fields, to stay informed regarding new research findings and technological advancements, and to network and consult with other professionals.

When you think of the scholar-practitioner model, remember that your professional journey is not first scholar and then practitioner. Rather, you, the scholar, and you, the practitioner, journey together side-byside and hand-in-hand, learning and improving your skills, and applying your knowledge on a day-to-day basis.