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FORMAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS - FRANCE
The title. Access to psychological professional practice is
limited to those with a university degree that gives them the
'titre de psychologue' (title of psychologist). This title is
protected by law (1985). Two academic diplomas may lead to this
title. The first is the 'Diplome d'Etudes Superieures
Spécialisées' (DESS: specialised superior studies
diploma) which is a professional diploma obtained after 5 years
of university study. The DESS permits holders to practice
immediately in any area of professional psychology. The other
diploma is the 'Diplome d'Etudes Aprofondies' (DEA : thorough
studies diploma, which is the first year of doctoral studies).
To obtain the title of psychologist, the holder of a DEA must
have a probationary period in a professional area of 14 weeks.
For psychologists who were qualified before the law of 1985,
other diplomas are accepted and a regional committee gives the
title depending on the diploma possessed, the highest diploma
in psychology which existed in France when this diploma was
obtained, and the professional experience. For non EU people
who wish to gain the title of psychologist, a national
committee of the Ministry of National Education decides on
equivalence for French diplomas, based on the candidate's
record. If the Equivalence given is lower than DESS, the
candidate must complete in France.
Some Child and educational psychologists are trained in the
general university system (DESS in child and adolescent
psychology), but most of the educational psychologists (and
specifically those employed by the Ministry of Education) are
trained through a specific program. School psychologists, who
work in elementary schools need to have the elementary school
teachers diploma and work for a minimum of five years as
elementary school teachers. They then can apply for a specific
course in school psychology (1 year). Orientation counsellors
(psychologists who work in high schools and in universities)
are recruited after an entrance examination at level 3 post
baccalauréat and a specific course of one year.
The law of 1985 concerning the title of psychologist defines
a psychologist as the holder of a DESS or of a DEA with a
probationary period of 14 weeks in a professional area.
Further specialist education and training is not globally
organised in France. However university diplomas are now
rapidly expanding.
Research. After the DEA, students study for the doctorate
(PhD), of which the legal duration is 3 years. The mean
duration is 4 years. After the doctorate, the usual
professional route is university or CNRS (National Centre for
Scientific Research) but the French government strongly
promotes PhD employment outside the teaching and research
area.
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