The APA is required to undergo periodic review to maintain recognition as an accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education (ED or Department) and the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The APA’s scope of recognition includes the accreditation of doctoral programs in health service psychology (i.e., clinical, counseling, and school psychology, combinations of two or more of these practice areas and other developed practice areas in health service psychology), doctoral internship programs in health service psychology, and postdoctoral residency programs in health service psychology. As such, accreditation standards and procedures must align with the recognition criteria of both the ED and the CHEA. Revisions include clarifying the CoA’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion as well as explaining how specialty postdoctoral practice areas become CoA-recognized.
In accordance with the APA “Policies for Accreditation Governance” and the US Department of Education regulations for public notice and comment, the CoA is making the proposed revisions available for a ninety (90) day period of public review and comment at http://apps.apa.org/
Telesupervision
The Standards require that all students receive some supervised work experience during the course of their education or training (Doctoral II.B.3, Internship II.C.3, and Postdoctoral Residency II.C.4). An opportunity for clarification has arisen regarding corresponding IRs for programs at these three levels. IRs C-13 D, C-15 I, and C-15 P focus on telesupervision at the doctoral, internship, and postdoctoral residency levels respectively. The Commission is proposing a removal of the timeline and maximum amount of telesupervision a student/intern/resident may receive.
In accordance with the APA “Policies for Accreditation Governance” and the US Department of Education regulations for public notice and comment, the CoA is making the proposed revisions available for a sixty (60) day period of public review and comment at http://apps.apa.org/
Licensure, Credentialing, and Employment Rates for Master’s Programs
The Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology, Master’s Degree Programs (SoA-M) outlines education and training requirements for the accreditation of health service psychology programs at the master’s level. An opportunity for clarification has arisen regarding IR C-19 M. The CoA is proposing an expansion of the index of preparation for entry-level practice for graduates of master’s programs to include employment rates.
In accordance with the APA “Policies for Accreditation Governance” and the US Department of Education regulations for public notice and comment, the CoA is making the proposed revisions available for a thirty (30) day period of public review and comment at http://apps.apa.org/
Student Achievement Outcomes Thresholds
The Accreditation Operating Procedures (AOP) outline training requirements for programs at the doctoral, doctoral internship, and postdoctoral levels. Interim Regulations (IRs) are official policy documents that “elucidate, interpret and operationally define” the Commission on Accreditation’s (CoA) policies and procedures. An opportunity for clarification has arisen regarding an IR in Section D, which relate specifically to the AOP. IR D.4-7(b) outlines the thresholds for student achievement outcomes in doctoral programs, and the CoA is proposing some changes to these thresholds.
In accordance with the APA “Policies for Accreditation Governance” and the US Department of Education regulations for public notice and comment, the CoA is making the proposed revisions available for a thirty (30) day period of public notice starting on May 1, 2023 at http://apps.apa.org/
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation at (202) 336-5979 or apaaccred@apa.org. On behalf of the CoA, thank you for your review and comments.