Professional Teaching of Psychological Science from Arequipa, Peru (Sonqo Yachay)
摘要
This chapter offers a comprehensive analysis of psychology education and professional training in Peru, examining historical developments, current institutional practices, legislative frameworks, and emerging challenges. It traces the origins of psychology as a professional discipline in the country, beginning with its formal establishment in 1955 at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), and explores the expansion of academic programs across public and private universities. Particular attention is given to the variability in undergraduate curricula, internship structures, and degree durations, as well as the rise of intermediate certifications and dual-degree programs. The chapter also highlights issues in graduate and postgraduate education, including master’s and doctoral programs, second specialties, and the lack of standardization in course content and faculty qualifications. Legislative milestones, such as the Mental Health Law and the Psychologist’s Work Law, are discussed in relation to licensing and professional regulation. A critical concern addressed is the instruction of psychology courses by non-psychologists and the inclusion of pseudoscientific content. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for national academic standardization, stronger regulatory oversight, and the promotion of evidence-based pedagogy to enhance the scientific and ethical integrity of psychology as a discipline in Peru.