Training and Education in Professional Psychology, Vol 20(2), May 2026, 91-101; doi:10.1037/tep0000547
Only about half of those in need of mental health services in the United States actually receive such services. The current approach to delivery of health service psychology interventions, with a reliance on doctoral providers, is unlikely to meet the ever-growing need for mental health services. However, the American Psychological Association has recently begun accrediting master’s programs in health service psychology, with the aim of increasing master’s degree clinicians. This change provides an opportunity for the field to reconsider how psychologists are educated and trained and their respective roles. This article presents an overview of what a unified education and training continuum may look like, with differentiation across the roles and responsibilities at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees, and recommendations for education and training. We propose the development of an undergraduate health service psychology concentration, describe the importance of ensuring quality training for master’s degree clinicians, and recommend an emphasis on advanced skills in doctoral training. While such a radical change to the field would be an undoubtedly complex process, it is critical that the field of health service psychology takes advantage of this opportunity to meet today’s mental health needs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)