ICUPO’s Aims

The aims of this International Collaboration on Undergraduate Psychology Outcomes (ICUPO) are to:

(a) produce an international foundational psychology competence model for the undergraduate level;

(b) encourage/support adaptation of the model to local, national, and regional contexts, with the model serving as guidance only; and

(c) seek support for the model from international and national psychology and other relevant organizations, and from psychology education leaders.

The ICUP Model

Since October 2022, the ICUPO Committee (19 members from 14 nations) has, through an iterative and inclusive process, including consultation with the International Reference Group on Undergraduate Psychology Outcomes (IRGUPO; over 100 members from over 40 nations), produced the International Competences for Undergraduate Psychology (ICUP) Model, which is in a Gamma.R3 Version since January, 2025.

The Model consists of 24 competence statements grouped under 2 core competence categories—Psychological Knowledge and Psychological Research Methodologies & Methods—and 5 Psychology-relevant competence categories: Values & Ethics, Cultural Responsiveness & Diversity, Critical Thinking & Problem-solving, Communication & Interpersonal Skills, and Personal & Professional Development.

A cyclic process of broad dissemination, stakeholder engagement, and revision has now been initiated.

“Figure 1. International Competences for Undergraduate Psychology (ICUP) Model. The circular depiction was chosen to convey a socio-ecological perspective more suited to the UG level, including the broader set of stakeholders, given the often diverse career outcomes of graduates of UG programs…Psychology-relevant Personal and Professional Development is in the center of the diagram, reflecting both a student centered approach, and a socio-ecological perspective (Bronfenbrenner, 1979)” (Nolan et al., Gamma.R3 ICUP Model p. 5).