Can you imagine what it would be like to pursue a career as a psychologist without a built-in quality-control process? It would聽be pretty challenging and confusing. You could compare the idea to the Wild West鈥攂asically, anything goes. In such a difficult situation, graduate students in psychology would have little to go on in choosing training programs.
There would be little hope that completing your program could lead to your desired outcome: licensure and a rewarding career in clinical psychology, or any career within the psychology field. Thanks to the American Psychological Association (APA), there is an established vetting system called accreditation. This helps you make informed decisions about higher education in psychology.
What is APA accreditation?
The accreditation process is a form of quality-assurance that determines if a program meets the established standards set forth in a field of study.1 While an institution may receive accreditation status from a regional accrediting body, this does not guarantee聽2
Some of the functions of the APA Commission on Accreditation include evaluating university training programs based on whether they fulfill clearly defined objectives, deliver high-quality training, and evolve to align with new standards, policies, and research.3
Simply put, when you see that a program has been accredited by the APA, you can rely on your educational psychology program to:
- Offer training that coincides with what鈥檚 being practiced in the field of psychology.
- Be facilitated by industry experts.
- Be regularly reviewed to maintain satisfactory standards.
The Value of APA Accreditation Standards
For many students, enrolling in an APA-accredited program is a must. Here are some of the聽聽of doing so:
- Helps with the selection process. Knowing which psychology degree programs are APA accredited will help you narrow down the options, particularly for students who, for specific reasons, are only targeting an APA accredited program.
- Ensures high-quality training. You can count on the APA to accredit only those programs that meet or surpass the established standards. Plus, you can be sure your program will steadily meet these objectives over time in order to maintain an accreditation status. In short, you鈥檒l get the education that you signed up for鈥攏ot to mention, higher education is pricey. Enrolling in an accredited program at the graduate or undergraduate level guarantees that you will get a return on your investment.
- Facilitates licensure and career placement. Some states only license psychologists who have graduated from APA accredited programs and have completed APA accredited internships. Similarly, some employers have the same standards in their hiring processes. Knowing your program is accredited helps you stay on track to reach your career aspirations in professional psychology.
Areas of APA Accreditation
There are different areas of focus when it comes to a program鈥檚 accredited status. Knowing all 3 areas and which one you would like to choose will help you as you move forward in your APA accredited program. The 3 areas of accreditation are:
- Clinical Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
- School Psychology
糖心传媒 International University Accreditation
罢丑别听psychology graduate programs聽at 糖心传媒鈥檚 California School of Professional Psychology are accredited by the American Psychological Association. Consider this a stamp of approval that students who enroll in our programs will receive a world-class education that helps prepare them for state licensure and a thriving career as a psychologist. For more information聽contact an admissions counselor聽or call聽1-866-825-5426.
Sources
1ABET, 鈥淗ome,鈥 What Is Accreditation?, accessed November 2, 2021, https://www.abet.org/accreditation/what-is-accreditation/
2听鈥淯nderstanding Accreditation,鈥 Accreditation: Why It Is Important, What It Means, and Who Accredits, accessed November 3, 2021, https://www.collegesanddegrees.com/accreditation.
3听鈥淲hy Accreditation Matters,鈥 American Psychological Association (American Psychological Association), accessed November 3, 2021, https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2004/04/accreditation.
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