Lessons From the Classroom: Teaching an Individual Psychological Assessment Course

Abstract

In their focal article on individual psychological assessment (IPA), Silzer and Jeanneret (2011) noted that ''we know of few PhD level graduate programs in industrial-organization (I-O) psychology that offer individual assessment courses or experience.'' At The University of Akron, I have offered a graduate level summer seminar on this topic for the past decade. In this brief comment, I offer my reflections on lessons learned from this experience.The course does take a wider approach to the definition of IPA. I have found that the practice of IPA has morphed in recent years to include greater attention to both the front end (the identification of competencies) and the back end (feedback or coaching) of the process. Therefore, the course was designed to include discussions of issues, such as job and competency analysis, feedback, coaching, computerized testing, and consulting psychology. By way of relevant background, I am a licensed psychologist in the state of Ohio and hold a certificate in Organizational and Business Consulting Psychology (American Board of Professional Psychology).

Individual Psychological Assessment: A Core Competency for Industrial–Organizational Psychology

“…Ethics are not always easy to separate from standards and principles, but Doverspike (2011) notes that such issues as licensure, unproctored testing, and the conduct of global assessments have placed IPA ethics in a state of flux. Lowman (2011) points out that because IPA is an emerging practice, assessors should be confident of their IPA competencies and be sure to create no harm for participants or clients.…”

“…Only then will we be able to confidently and successfully identify and develop outstanding assessment psychologists and improve overall IPA success. Useful suggestions for research topics can be found in the focal article as well as in the commentaries by Hazucha et al (2011), Lowman (2011), Morris et al (2011), Tippins (2011), and Doverspike (2011). The likelihood that meaningful research is conducted and published will depend on IPA continuing to be a core competency in the education and training of I–O psychologists.…”

“…There is clearly a need for enhanced IPA training of future assessment psychologists in our I-O graduate programs (Lowman, 2011). Doverspike (2011) provides helpful information on an IPA course and identifies some critical challenges that need to be addressed in developing IPA expertise. We know of only a few other graduate programs that also offer IPA graduate courses (Baruch College, City University of New York and Northern Illinois University).…”