Quality education in professional psychology: flowers blooming, Flexner, and the future

The educational system in professional psychology is reviewed, including how it utilizes its mission and core values to ensure quality-based educational experiences that graduate a quality "product" who ultimately provides quality health care services for consumers of psychological care. Education and training in, and the practice of, professional psychology must adopt and adapt to changes in accountability and quality expectations in the evolving health care system brought about by the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Definitions of "psychologist" and "specialist" are discussed, along with a rationale for a clearly articulated educational core that operationalizes learning objectives needed to be a competent, successful psychologist. Implications for quality assurance, including questions of educational outcomes and their impact on clinical outcomes of health care services, are related to the education and training sequence. Competency-based education, "pre-psych" requirements, evidenced-based care, specialization, and interprofessionalism, each a key component of a successful future for professional psychology, are also discussed.