Accreditation Homepage Newsletter Cover Page Guidelines and Principles Online Annual Reports Contact Information » Site Visitor Information Committee Membership Important Accreditation Dates Attend An Accreditation Site Visitor Workshop Site visitor workshops are conducted throughout the year to prepare visitors to evaluate programs undergoing review for initial or continued recognition. Training sessions are frequently held at the annual or biannual meetings of psychology education and training groups, as well as at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association (APA). Training typically consists of a one-day workshop including both didactic and experiential exposure to the Guidelines and Principles for Accreditation and the role and functions of the site visitor. Continuing Education credits are given to all participants. For more information on becoming a site visitor or attending a site visitor workshop, go to http://www.apa.org/ed/sitevisitors.html, or call 202-336-5979. The site visit is an essential and unique step in the accreditation process, and as such site visitors serve a critical role in providing information to the Committee about the quality of educational programs. Site visitors act as the "eyes and ears" of the Committee. It is through the written report of the site visitors that it is possible to verify self-study information and receive a perspective about the program operation that can only be obtained through direct observation. In addition, since representatives of the programs do not appear before the Committee, it is only the site visit team that has face-to-face contact with the psychologists involved in the program. The Committee on Accreditation conducts, per year, approximately 75 visits to doctoral programs and 125 visits to internship/postdoctoral programs, necessitating the participation of well over 400 visitors from all areas of psychology Criteria for Site Visitors Site visitors are classified either as professional psychologists (i.e., the areas of clinical, counseling, and school) or generalists (from areas of psychology outside the scope of accreditation). Because the CoA needs site visitors who are engaged in educational activities and participate in training programs like those accredited by the CoA, strict criteria are maintained for inclusion and retention in the site visitor pool. For site visitors who are in professional psychology Received a doctoral degree from an accredited program and have a minimum of five years of professional experience Have an involvement as faculty in an accredited training program, or an association with an accredited training program within the past five years   If primarily engaged in private practice, have a formal ongoing association (such as adjunct faculty or external supervisor) with a training program Considered to be concerned with, and knowledgeable about, educational, professional, and scientific issues in psychology Hold appropriate licensure and/or certification Are active members of professional and/or research organizations within psychology For site visitors who are generalists Received a doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution and have a minimum of five years of professional experience Have involvement as faculty in a department or school which has an accredited training program, or if retired, had such association Considered to be concerned with, and knowledgeable about, educational, professional, and scientific issues in psychology Are active members of professional and/or research organizations within psychology Becoming a Site Visitor Prior to participating in the site visit process, prospective site visitors must first receive training. Training sessions are frequently held at the annual or biannual meetings of psychology education and training groups, as well as at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association (APA). Training typically consists of a one-day workshop including both didactic and experiential exposure to the Guidelines and Principles of Accreditation and the role and functions of the site visitor. The Committee invites nominations of individuals to serve as APA accreditation site visitors. In submitting a nomination, the nominator should provide a brief statement about why he or she thinks the nominee has the appropriate background and personal qualities to be included in the site visitor pool. Self-nominations are welcome. Please mail statement along with a current vita to: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20002-4242 The CoA makes a special effort to ensure diversity among site visitors. Therefore, the Committee strongly encourages the nomination of women and members of underrepresented groups. Once approved, you will receive information regarding all upcoming Site Visitor Workshops. For more information, contact Betsy Horrocks at (202) 336-5995