Texas Psychological Association
Encyclopedia
The Texas Psychological Association (TPA) is a professional association representing psychologist
s in the U.S. state of Texas
. It was established in 1947 and is headquartered in Cedar Park, Texas
.
as a science, profession, and means of promoting human welfare. The TPA is a state affiliate of the American Psychological Association
. For full membership of the TPA, a PhD
degree in psychology is required, and for associate membership, a master's degree in psychology is needed. The TPA is governed by an elected executive committee. It was incorporated in December 1964. It concentrates on multiple aspects of psychology such as applied psychology
, school psychology
, and psychologists' trainers.
Texas Psychologist is the quarterly journal of TPA.
The original sixty members of the association shared scientific information through research and presentations at annual meetings of the association. The association concentrated on professional practice aspects of the discipline as licensure, education of practitioners, and applications of psychology in direct human services by the early 1960s. The early history of the association was dominated by the experimental psychologists
from university faculties, but later they were replaced by the practicing psychologists.
The legislative committee of the association achieved passage of the Psychologist's Certification and Licensing Act, a statewide certification and licensing law for psychologists, in 1969. The law established the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, and it took effect in 1970.
In 1987 an executive director was hired by the association after its membership reached 2,000. It also rented office space at Austin, Texas
. As the members and staffs of the TPA expanded, the associations' influence with the legislature ameliorated.
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
s in the U.S. state of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. It was established in 1947 and is headquartered in Cedar Park, Texas
Cedar Park, Texas
Cedar Park is a city in Travis and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population is 48,937. The city is a major suburb of Austin, the center of which is approximately to the southeast, although Austin directly borders Cedar Park at the latter's...
.
About TPA
The declared purpose of the Texas Psychological Association is to advance the field of psychologyPsychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
as a science, profession, and means of promoting human welfare. The TPA is a state affiliate of the American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. It is the world's largest association of psychologists with around 154,000 members including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. The APA...
. For full membership of the TPA, a PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degree in psychology is required, and for associate membership, a master's degree in psychology is needed. The TPA is governed by an elected executive committee. It was incorporated in December 1964. It concentrates on multiple aspects of psychology such as applied psychology
Applied psychology
The basic premise of applied psychology is the use of psychological principles and theories to overcome problems in other areas, such as mental health, business management, education, health, product design, ergonomics, and law...
, school psychology
School psychology
School psychology is a field that applies principles of clinical psychology and educational psychology to the diagnosis and treatment of children's and adolescents' behavioral and learning problems...
, and psychologists' trainers.
Texas Psychologist is the quarterly journal of TPA.
History
The TPA was established on September 28, 1947, and the first annual meeting of the accociation was held in February 1948.The original sixty members of the association shared scientific information through research and presentations at annual meetings of the association. The association concentrated on professional practice aspects of the discipline as licensure, education of practitioners, and applications of psychology in direct human services by the early 1960s. The early history of the association was dominated by the experimental psychologists
Experimental psychology
Experimental psychology is a methodological approach, rather than a subject, and encompasses varied fields within psychology. Experimental psychologists have traditionally conducted research, published articles, and taught classes on neuroscience, developmental psychology, sensation, perception,...
from university faculties, but later they were replaced by the practicing psychologists.
The legislative committee of the association achieved passage of the Psychologist's Certification and Licensing Act, a statewide certification and licensing law for psychologists, in 1969. The law established the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, and it took effect in 1970.
In 1987 an executive director was hired by the association after its membership reached 2,000. It also rented office space at Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. As the members and staffs of the TPA expanded, the associations' influence with the legislature ameliorated.