FAQs
If you have issues viewing any file, Download the full PDF of FAQs over here
1) With IGNOU MA Psychology can we
practice as Psychologists?
No, for practicing you will require to complete M.Phil. Clinical Psychology from the list of RCI approved colleges/institutions after
Distance M.A. Psychology from IGNOU.
Also, you can complete a full-time MPhil from a good college and apply for an RCI license separately which will require a good amount of practical experience.
(Note - MPhil is a FULL-TIME Course only.)
After receiving the RCI license on passing M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology, you will be able to practice as a Clinical Psychologist. PDF for RCI Act 1992 | RCI Act Amendment 2000
However, you can work as a Counsellor
(read points 12 & 13).
Read full documents here:
PDF for M.Phil. Clinical PsychologyPDF for M.Phil. Rehab Psychology
2) What is RCI and RCI License?
RCI is - the Rehabilitation Council of India
To become a registered Clinical Psychologist in India you need to take a license from the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). The course mentioned below are approved by RCI and after completion of the any of below courses you will get a license from RCI, and you can start your practice as a Clinical psychologist in India.
Visit RCI Website here
Courses:
RCI Distance Learning Mode University and courses
3) Is RCI License Mandatory to practice as a Clinical Psychologist in India?
In India, there are two degrees to receive an RCI license, one can either pursue an M.Phil in Clinical Psychology or one can pursue a Psy.D in Clinical Psychology.
The PsyD: Doctor of Psychology
The Ph.D: Doctor of Philosophy
Following enactment of the RCI Act in 1993, the 2-year supervised clinical training, as outlined in M.Phil. program, is officially recognized as a minimum qualification to work independently in the area of mental health as an expert and/or specialist with a defined professional role and responsibilities.
4) Where do we find the list of RCI-approved Colleges?
You will find them on the national RCI Website
This list keeps on updating with new
college names if they have been granted RCI approval for that year.
There are many
colleges/universities that offer M.Phil. Clinical Psychology in India like
NIMHANS, CIP, IHBAS, PGI, RML, KGMC, RINPAS, etc.
RCI updates its list
every year. Download PDF for List of RCI Approved Colleges
5) Is M.Phil. mandatory before going for a Psy.D / Ph.D in Clinical Psychology?
To practice as a clinical psychologist/mental health professional, you need to pursue MPhil in Clinical Psychology after Masters in Arts (Psychology).
For a Ph.D other than the field of clinical psychology, one can directly pursue post M.A. Psychology.
Candidates already registered with RCI as clinical psychologists following 2-year M.Phil. clinical psychology degree, shall join the Third Year (Part III) of Psy.D. program (hereafter referred to as ‘lateral entry’) and complete the final two years of full-time course work of Psy.D. i.e. advanced competency in two electives and one year of rotation internship.
6) Can I pursue M.Phil. Clinical Psychology from Distance Learning
and get an RCI license?
As of now, RCI doesn't approve of a distance learning
course. M.Phil. Clinical Psychology is
a rigorous practical course that makes a candidate ready for the next level
i.e. Ph.D.
RCI only approves Full Time or Part Time M.Phil.
from an RCI-approved college/institution.
RCI Distance Learning Mode University and courses
7) Is M.Phil. required to be Full Time
course?
Yes, Full Time (Regular Mode) from an RCI approved
institution is acceptable by RCI according to their Regular Mode course list.
8) What is the UGC NET exam?
The National Eligibility Test (NET), also known as
UGC NET or NTA-UGC-NET, is the examination for determining the eligibility for
the post of assistant professor and/or Junior Research Fellowship award in
Indian universities and colleges. The examination is conducted by National
Testing Agency on behalf of University Grants Commission.
Visit UCG NET for details.
9) Is UGC NET applicable for Clinical
Psychology
No. The National Eligibility Test (NET) is conducted on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC) for determining the eligibility of Indian nationals for the Eligibility of Assistant Professorship, Junior Research Fellowship or both, for Indian Universities and Colleges. It is not required for aspiring Clinical Psychologists.
However, MPhil Clinical Psychology with UGC NET Qualification can open a new window
for your career. Sometimes in the interview, if you are NET JRF
qualified it gives you extra weight. So this is a good idea to start
preparing for both.
Ph.D. candidates don't require UGC NET qualification. Those who don't have Ph.D. should qualify for UGC NET. However, the clearance of the UGC NET is a mandate if you want to be a lecturer or assistant professor.
UGC NET is useful for those who seek
research field. When you attend interviews, Ph.D. candidates
get a higher preference.
Visit UCG NET for details.
10) Can I pursue a
Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology after M.A and setup a practice?
Yes, The candidates on successful completion of
the Professional Diploma in Clinical
Psychology can register with RCI
as “Clinical Psychologist (Associate)” under CRR and function in
service settings as expert/specialist in non-academic service settings.
(About individual practice) This means it limits the practice in individual setup. However, an individual can work in Community Setup such as Organizations or Hospitals or Institutions as an "Associate".
Read more details | Or | Read Details Here
11) What is the
admission process for M.Phil. Clinical Psychology?
Each institution in India has their own entrance exam and process. Normally eligibility is M.A. Psychology (Clinical Psychology major) from UGC approved university. Not all colleges may permit a candidate with distance education. Hence, kindly enquire before applying to colleges.
12) What is the
Entrance Exam for M.Phil.? Who conducts it?
Each institution/college has their own entrance for M.Phil. Clinical Psychology. The dates and details are found on their respective websites.
If you select few colleges from the RCI College List, and visit their website, you
can find information about the month when admissions start and about entrance
exam. Once the candidate fills the
admission form, the Institution will share the details with the candidate.
13) Then what is the scope of M.A.
Psychology from IGNOU?
After completion, you can work or practice as a
'Counsellor' in any institution/firm or private setup. However, one can't
mention themselves as a 'Psychologist' without RCI License.
Read from Shiksha here.
14) What is the difference between a Counsellor,
Psychologist and Psychiatrist in India?
Counselor: All counselors in India have
to have at least a BA and/or a Master's degree in Psychology. They can provide general/emotional counseling but cannot practice 'Psychotherapies' on their clients, and cannot prescribe medication.
A psychologist often
addresses anxiety, melancholia, phobias, and depression, etc. and can use 'psychotherapy'. They cannot prescribe medication.
In India, to practice as a Psychologist, one must gain an RCI License after an M.Phil.
or a Ph.D.
Counseling Psychologists, in general, focus
more on healthier, less pathological populations whereas Clinical
psychologists focus on individuals with more serious mental health
issues such as hypomania (early stage of mania/less severe) or psychosis.
Psychiatrists primarily deal with mental disorders (They are MBBS/MD in Psychiatry). For Psychologists, it is just one branch. Psychiatrists are medical doctors and thus they mainly work in healthcare settings such as hospitals, mental health clinics, or private practice. Thus, Psychologists don't always work using therapies. Only Psychiatrists can prescribe medications if the patient requires to be induced sleep medication, calming medication, medication to reduce anxiety, etc.
Examples - Schizophrenia, Mania, Drug or Alcohol abuse that requires Psychiatric intervention and Rehabilitation, etc.
Psychologists & Counselors work with 'clients', whereas Psychiatrists work with 'patients'. If you are a counselor, you can say 'my client', not 'my patient'.
15) Are there any
Distance Mode Courses accepted by RCI?
Yes, there are. Find
them here: List of RCI Distance Learning Mode University and courses
Also find the List
of RCI Regular Mode courses
16) Can we pursue M.Phil. or Ph.D
abroad and practice once we are in India?
For practicing as a Psychologist in India, one must gain the RCI License. (Go to point no. 2 and 3)
Contact RCI for further information on such cases. There are similar norms for every country. If there is a plan to change the country after education, one must enquire about the laws and processes regarding practice; for example in UK it is General Medical Council (GMC).
17) Are there any FAQs shared by RCI?
Yes, there are FAQs to clear doubts regarding RCI processes.
Please find the FAQs here
18) Is there any Contact info for RCI?
Contact for RCI: As mentioned on their FAQs page:-
Q. Whom can one contact in case of any
difficulty in the process of registration of rehabilitation professionals/
personnel?
A: All concerned are requested to contact
the Member Secretary,
Rehabilitation Council of India,
B-22, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi - 110 016.
in case of any queries.
The contact numbers of RCI are :
Tele : 011 - 26532408, 26534287
Fax : 26534291
E-mail: rehabstd@nde.vsnl.net.in; rehabstd@ndc.vsnl.net.in
KINDLY NOTE:
List of approved Universities keep updating every year.
To download new list, Visit RCI Website here, then select from Menu as below:-
-------------------END-------------------
Extremely useful information which you have shared here about Behavioral health services in Fresno, CA. This is a great way to enhance knowledge for us, and also beneficial for us. Thank you for sharing an article like this.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the appreciation!😊😊
ReplyDelete