The Accreditation Operation Procedures for Master’s Programs (AOP-M) and Accreditation Operation Procedures (AOP) guide the process for program accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA). As such, the Commission on Accreditation (CoA) has determined the need for systematic and comprehensive review of the AOP-M and AOP.
Public Comment: AOP-M and AOP
The systematic review process of the AOP-M and AOP begins with notification to the public and relevant constituent groups of the upcoming review. Reviews are conducted in accordance with 34 CFR 602.21 of U.S. Department of Education accreditation regulations. The CoA is soliciting feedback from the general public and its relevant constituencies on areas of the AOP-M and AOP that may require revision. The CoA reviews all public comments received and in its process of review and revision, as deemed appropriate, incorporates public comment.
In accordance with the APA “Policies for Accreditation Governance” and U.S. Department of Education regulations for notice and comment, the CoA will make these policies available for a ninety (90) day period of public review and comment. The comment period began at 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time on March 18, 2026 and will continue through 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time on June 16, 2026. Information about the proposed standards and public comment is available at http://apps.apa.org/
Public Notice
The Accreditation Operation Procedures (AOP) outline procedures that guide the accreditation process for programs to be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The AOP corresponds to the Implementing Regulations (IRs), which are official policy documents that “elucidate, interpret and operationally define” the APA Commission on Accreditation’s (CoA) policies and procedures. IRs are divided into several different sections (A through E), which are subject to regular review and revision by the CoA. Through this iterative process, opportunities for clarification have arisen regarding an IR in Section D, which relates specifically to the AOP and Section E, which addresses Self-Governance and Regulation.
Processing and Review of Complaints against Accredited Programs and the Commission on Accreditation
The CoA has clarified the complaints process in IR D.6-1(a) to include complaints against the Commission.
Procedures for Notification of CoA Actions in Accordance with the Secretary of Education’s Standards for Recognition of Accrediting Agencies
The Commission has rewritten IR D.8-2 to include quotes from relevant regulations from the Department of Education and a detailed breakdown of steps that the CoA will take to notify stakeholders of CoA actions.
Procedure for Notice of Reasons for Denial or Revocation of Accreditation or Denial of a Site Visit by the APA Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
The CoA has updated IR D.8-4 its procedure for notifying stakeholders of a program’s adverse action with an emphasis on denial of accreditation, revocation of accreditation, and denial of a site visit.
Implementation Procedure for Notification by the Commission on Accreditation of Initial and Final Decisions of Adverse Action to the U.S. Secretary of Education, Appropriate State Licensing Agency, and Appropriate Institutional Accrediting Agency
The Commission has amended IR D.8-5 to explain the CoA’s process of notifying stakeholders of a program’s adverse actions with an emphasis on probation.
Groups to Receive Notification of Proposed Changes in the SoA and AOP
The CoA has revised IR E.1-2 to fully describe how the Commission completes the SoA and AOP systematic review processes. The Commission also added to the list of psychology groups to which seats on the CoA are formally allocated in order to align with the Commission’s current structure.
Conflict of Interest Policy for Appeal Panel Members
The Commission has edited IR E.3-6 to reflect its current action of requiring appeal panel members to sign a Statement of Impartiality before serving on an appeal panel.
In accordance with the APA “Policies for Accreditation Governance” and the US Department of Education regulations for notice and comment, the CoA is providing additional information and is making the changes available for a thirty (30) day period of public notice which started on March 18, 2026. On behalf of the CoA, thank you in advance for your review. Information about the proposed standards and public notice is available at http://apps.apa.org/
To promote thoughtful discussion, the CoA is providing an electronic-based form for public comment submission. Comments and other information, including users’ identities will be public while email addresses used in the registration process will be confidential. The CoA will consider all comments received and make appropriate revisions should they be deemed necessary before approval of the final versions of the IRs.
Should you have any questions of 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.