The ICUP Model for Psychology Education

Abstract

This paper presents the development and implementation of the International Competency Model for Undergraduate Psychology Students (ICUP). In particular, it emphasizes how the goals and content of the project development activities, organisational, managerial and other operational aspects of this project are developed and structured. It argues the importance of creating task- specific small groups and provides the following recommendations for effective project implementation: evidence-based theory; using competency frameworks; ensuring incentives are in place; creating a plan; creating multiple engagement mechanisms; a commitment to ongoing development of cultural responsiveness; fostering openness to using new technology tools; and establishing formal and informal mechanisms for external and internal process review. The significance of the developing model of competencies for psychology students project enebles in creating or revising the content of educational programmes for the formation of basic psychological competencies at the undergraduate level.