Therapist Directory - International Academic Credentials List
TherapyRoute
Clinical Editorial
Cape Town, South Africa
Medically reviewed by TherapyRoute
❝Over 100 academic credentials are mapped by level and region across psychology, counselling, social work, nursing, medicine, and related fields, supporting accurate credential selection and profile display in global mental health directories.❞
Table of Contents | Jump Ahead
- UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
- HONOURS DEGREES
- POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATES & DIPLOMAS
- MASTER'S DEGREES
- DOCTORAL DEGREES
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES (20)
Bachelor's Degrees - Psychology/Counselling
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| BA | Bachelor of Arts | Global |
| BA (Psych) | Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | USA, UK, Australia, Canada |
| BA (Couns) | Bachelor of Arts in Counselling | UK, Australia, Canada |
| BBSc | Bachelor of Behavioural Science | Australia, Canada |
| BPsych | Bachelor of Psychology | Australia, South Africa, Singapore |
| BSc | Bachelor of Science | Global |
| BSc (Psych) | Bachelor of Science in Psychology | Global |
| BSS | Bachelor of Social Science | Ireland, Hong Kong, South Africa |
| B.Sc. Psych | Bachelor of Science in Psychology | Germany, Austria, Netherlands |
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Find Your TherapistBachelor's Degrees - Social Work
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| BSW | Bachelor of Social Work | USA, Canada, UK, Australia |
| BA (SW) | Bachelor of Arts in Social Work | UK, Ireland |
Bachelor's Degrees - Nursing
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| BN | Bachelor of Nursing | Australia, New Zealand, Asia |
| BSN | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | USA, Philippines |
| BScN | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Canada |
| BScPN | Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing | Canada (unique) |
Bachelor's Degrees - Medical
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| MBBS | Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery | UK, India, Australia, Asia, Africa |
| MBChB | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery | UK, South Africa, New Zealand |
Bachelor's Degrees - European/Latin/Asian
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| Licence (Psych) | Licence en Psychologie | France, Belgium, Morocco, Tunisia |
| Lic. Psic. | Licenciatura en Psicología | Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Latin America |
| Laurea (Psic) | Laurea in Psicologia | Italy |
| 学士 (Xueshi) | Bachelor's Degree | China |
HONOURS DEGREES (5)
Commonwealth countries only - 4th year specialisation| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) | Bachelor of Arts Honours | UK, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand |
| BSc (Hons) | Bachelor of Science Honours | UK, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand |
| BPsych (Hons) | Bachelor of Psychology Honours | Australia, South Africa |
| BSocSci (Hons) | Bachelor of Social Science Honours | South Africa |
| BSW (Hons) | Bachelor of Social Work Honours | South Africa, some UK institutions |
POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATES & DIPLOMAS (8)
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| PGCert | Postgraduate Certificate | UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand |
| PGCert (Psych) | Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology | UK, Ireland |
| PGDip | Postgraduate Diploma | UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand |
| PGDip (Psych) | Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology | UK, Ireland, New Zealand |
| GradDip | Graduate Diploma | Australia |
| GradDip (Psych) | Graduate Diploma in Psychology | Australia (conversion programs) |
| G.Dip. | Graduate Diploma | Australia |
| PGCE | Postgraduate Certificate in Education | UK, Ireland |
MASTER'S DEGREES (45)
Master's - Psychology
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| MA | Master of Arts | Global |
| MA (Psych) | Master of Arts in Psychology | USA, UK, Canada, Australia |
| MA (Clin Psych) | Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology | USA, UK, Canada |
| MA (Couns Psych) | Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology | UK, Canada, USA |
| MA (Ed Psych) | Master of Arts in Educational Psychology | UK, USA, Canada |
| MACP | Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology | Canada, USA |
| MS | Master of Science | USA |
| MSc | Master of Science | Global |
| MSc (Psych) | Master of Science in Psychology | Global |
| MSCP | Master of Science in Clinical Psychology | USA |
| MPsych | Master of Psychology | Australia, Singapore |
| MPsych (Clin) | Master of Psychology (Clinical) | Australia |
| MPsych (Couns) | Master of Psychology (Counselling) | Australia |
| M.Psych (Clin) | Master of Psychology (Clinical) | Australia, Singapore |
| MPhil | Master of Philosophy | UK, India, Hong Kong |
| MPhil (Clin Psych) | Master of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology | UK, South Africa |
Master's - Counselling
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| M.Couns | Master of Counselling | UK, Australia, Canada |
| MC | Master of Counselling | Australia, Canada |
| MCP | Master of Counselling Psychology | Canada, Australia |
| MHC | Master of Mental Health Counselling | USA |
| MAPC | Master of Arts in Professional Counselling | USA |
Master's - Social Work
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| MSW | Master of Social Work | USA, Canada, UK, Australia |
| MSSW | Master of Science in Social Work | USA |
| MSS | Master of Social Science | Ireland, USA |
Master's - Marriage & Family Therapy
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| MMFT | Master of Marriage and Family Therapy | USA |
| MFT | Master of Family Therapy | USA, Canada |
| MA (MFT) | Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy | USA |
Master's - Education/Other
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| MEd | Master of Education | Global |
| MA (Ed) | Master of Arts in Education | USA, UK, Canada |
Master's - Nursing
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| MN | Master of Nursing | Australia, Canada |
| MSN | Master of Science in Nursing | USA |
| MScN | Master of Science in Nursing | Canada |
Master's - Creative Therapies
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| MA (Art Therapy) | Master of Arts in Art Therapy | USA, UK, Australia |
| MA (Music Therapy) | Master of Arts in Music Therapy | USA, UK, Australia |
| MA (Drama Therapy) | Master of Arts in Drama Therapy | USA, UK |
Master's - European Format
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| M.Sc. Psych | Master of Science in Psychology | Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland |
| Master (Psych) | Master en Psychologie | France, Belgium |
| Magistr | Magistr (pre-Bologna) | Eastern Europe, Russia |
Master's - Latin America
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| Maestría (Psic) | Maestría en Psicología | Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Latin America |
| Maestría (Clin) | Maestría en Psicología Clínica | Latin America |
Master's - Asia
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| 修士 (Shushi) | Master's Degree | Japan |
| 硕士 (Shuoshi) | Master's Degree | China |
DOCTORAL DEGREES (24)
Doctoral - Psychology (Research & Professional)
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Doctor of Philosophy | Global |
| PhD (Psych) | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology | Global |
| PhD (Clin Psych) | Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology | Global |
| PsyD | Doctor of Psychology | USA, Canada, Australia |
| DPsych | Doctor of Psychology | Australia, UK, South Africa |
| DClinPsy | Doctor of Clinical Psychology | UK, New Zealand, Ireland |
| DCouns Psych | Doctor of Counselling Psychology | Australia, UK |
| DEdPsy | Doctor of Educational Psychology | UK |
Doctoral - Education
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| EdD | Doctor of Education | USA, UK, Australia, Canada |
| DEd | Doctor of Education | Some USA institutions |
Doctoral - Social Work
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| DSW | Doctor of Social Work | USA, Australia |
| PhD (SW) | Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work | Global |
Doctoral - Nursing
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| DNP | Doctor of Nursing Practice | USA |
| PhD (Nursing) | Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing | Global |
Doctoral - Medical
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| MD | Doctor of Medicine | USA, Canada (post-graduate) |
| DrMed | Doctor of Medical Science | Germany, Austria, Switzerland |
| Dr.med. | Doctor medicinae | Germany, Switzerland |
Doctoral - European Format
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. phil. | Doctor philosophiae | Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia |
| Dr. rer. nat. | Doctor rerum naturalium | Germany (Doctor of Natural Sciences) |
| Doctorat | Doctorat | France |
Doctoral - Latin America
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| Doctorado (Psic) | Doctorado en Psicología | Latin America |
Doctoral - Asia
| Abbreviation | Full Title | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| 博士 (Hakase) | Doctorate | Japan |
| 博士 (Boshi) | Doctorate | China |
Important: TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
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