About the National Council for Psychology Education & Standards

Advancing Quality, Ethics, and Impact in Psychology Education

The National Council for Psychology Education & Standards (NCPES) is a non-governmental body that supports universities, psychology departments, and education leaders to design and deliver high-quality, ethically grounded psychology programs.

NCPES at a Glance
  • Focus on psychology education, training, and supervised practice.
  • Global community of institutional and individual members.
  • Standards, guidance, and peer review for continuous quality improvement.
  • Commitment to student wellbeing, client safety, and public trust.

Who We Are

NCPES brings together experts in psychology, higher education, quality assurance, and professional regulation.

NCPES was established to respond to the growing demand for coherent, evidence-informed standards in psychology education. Our work spans undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional training programs, with a strong focus on ethical practice and real-world impact.

We collaborate with universities, professional associations, regulators, and employers to ensure that psychology graduates are prepared to work in diverse settings and serve communities with integrity and competence.

Psychology education leaders discussing quality and standards

Mission, Vision & Values

Our work is grounded in a clear sense of purpose and shared principles.

Mission

To advance high-quality psychology education worldwide by providing standards, guidance, and peer review that promote ethical, evidence-based practice.

Vision

A global community where psychology education is rigorous, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of individuals, communities, and societies.

Values

Integrity, transparency, collaboration, respect for diversity, and a commitment to safeguarding learners and those they serve.

What We Do

Core functions that define NCPES’s contribution to psychology education.

Standards Development

We develop and refine frameworks that describe good practice in curriculum design, supervised practice, and student support.

Review & Recognition

Through accreditation and recognition processes, we provide external validation of institutional and program quality.

Community & Membership

We convene a community of institutions and educators who share resources, case studies, and innovations.

Policy & Advocacy

We contribute expert perspectives to policy discussions on psychology training, regulation, and workforce development.

Governance & Council

NCPES is guided by an independent Council supported by advisory committees and peer reviewers.

President
Prof. Jordan Matthews

An academic leader with extensive experience in psychology curriculum design, accreditation, and higher education governance.

Vice President (Quality)
Dr. Amina Rahman

Oversees quality assurance frameworks and leads the refinement of NCPES standards and review methodologies.

Chair, Ethics & Public Interest
Dr. Luis Ortega

Provides oversight of ethical guidance, complaints processes, and the Council’s commitment to client and community safety.

Council Structure

The Council includes representatives from universities, professional associations, regulatory bodies, early-career psychologists, and public members. This diversity ensures that decisions reflect a wide range of perspectives.

Advisory Committees

Specialist committees advise on curriculum, clinical training, online delivery, and student experience. These groups provide detailed input into standards and good practice statements.

History & Milestones

How NCPES has evolved in response to the needs of psychology education.

2012
Foundation of NCPES

Established by a consortium of universities and professional bodies to promote coherent, discipline-specific standards for psychology programs.

2016
Launch of First Standards Framework

Publication of the first NCPES Psychology Education Standards, covering curriculum design, supervised practice, and assessment.

2019
Expansion to Online & Hybrid Delivery

Updated guidance to address digital learning, remote supervision, and virtual assessment in psychology education.

2023
Global Membership Network

NCPES membership network grows to institutions and programs across multiple regions, supported by thematic working groups.

Global Reach & Partnerships

Working across borders to support psychology education communities.

NCPES collaborates with partner organisations in higher education, professional psychology, and quality assurance. These partnerships help institutions align local requirements with international expectations.

We regularly participate in conferences, roundtables, and joint projects that explore emerging issues in psychology education, such as digital learning, interprofessional teamwork, and culturally responsive practice.

Regional Collaborations

Engagement with regional networks of universities and psychology associations to share practice and adapt standards.

Professional Bodies

Dialogue with psychology licensing and registration authorities on graduate capabilities and pathways to practice.

Quality Agencies

Cooperation with national quality assurance and accreditation agencies to align psychology-specific and system-level requirements.

Work with NCPES to strengthen psychology education at your institution.

Whether you are exploring membership, accreditation, or simply seeking guidance on standards, our team can help you identify the next steps.

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