Psychological studies in Spain have been established in the uni-
versities only in recent years. In general, the master's degree is necessary
for applied work in psychology, while the doctoral degree is required for an
academic career.

The Professional School for Psychology and Psychotechnology was estab-
lished at the University of Madrid in 1953 as a postgraduate school that
granted a "certificate" (diploma) for professional work. A similar center was
opened at the University of Barcelona. The curriculum covered the main
psychological topics, distributed over 3 years. A master's degree (most fre-
quently in education, philosophy, or medicine) was required in order to
enroll. Thus the training in psychology provided a complementary qualifi-
cation.

In 1968 these studies became a specialty within the area of the humani-
ties (Filosofia y Letras). But this arrangement did not prove to be the cor-
rect solution. Psychology was seen by the students more as a literary field
than a scientific one. Later an independent curriculum was established for
psychologists, and some faculties of psychology ( 1980) and psychology de-
partments were created. That is the present situation, and the career of
psychologist has received the same academic status as scientific studies.

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