Recommendations for a Postdoctoral Fellowship

Abstract

The dissertation or clinical internship is typically the final requirement fulfilled for the psychology doctorate, and its completion is certainly just cause for both celebration and relief. However, completing the doctorate does not necessarily denote the end of “trainee” status. In many of the settings in which psychologists work, a post-doctoral fellowship is increasingly recognized as a desirable, if not necessary, next step prior to employment or licensure as a professional psychologist. Academic institutions and university medical centers increasingly prefer job candidates with advanced postdoctoral training. Such experience may also be required for licensure. Finally, some specialty practice areas within the field (e.g., neuropsychology) now require formal postdoctoral training at an approved program for specialty certification.