Accreditation site visitors
needed immediately
The Committee on Accreditation (CoA) is actively recruiting accreditation site visitors. Site visitors serve a critical role in providing information to CoA about the quality of educational programs and 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.
Before participating in the site visits, prospective visitors receive training, which offers continuing-education credits. Training typically consists of a one-day workshop that includes didactic and experiential exposure to the guidelines and principles of accreditation and site visitor role and functions.
CoA invites nominations of individuals to serve. Nominators should provide a brief statement about why the nominee has the appropriate background and personal qualities to be included in the site visitor pool. Self-nominations are welcome. Mail the statement and a current curriculum vita to the Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation at the APA address.
CoA makes a special effort to ensure diversity among site visitors and therefore strongly encourages the nomination of women and members of other underrepresented groups. For more information about the criteria for becoming a site visitor, contact Betsy Horrocks at (202) 336-5995.
FYI: Changes made to Committee
on Accreditation documents
To improve the quality of, education and training in professional psychology, the Committee on Accreditation (CoA) has updated its Guidelines and Principles for Accreditation of Programs in Professional Psychology (G&P) and Accreditation Operating Procedures. (In accordance with APA's "Policies for Accreditation Governance," CoA made the proposed changes available for a six-month period of public review and comment, after which the proposed changes were finalized and subsequently adopted by APA's Board of Directors.)
Beginning with its April meeting, CoA will accredit internship programs for up to seven years. All other changes to the G&P and Accreditation Operating Procedures will be effective for all programs under review in 2003.
The full text of the amended documents is available at www.apa.org/ed/
G&P2.pdf. Request hardcopies by
calling (202) 336-5979; e-mail:
APA Accreditation.
Reminder: Candidates needed
for vacancies on Child, Youth
and Family Committee
APA's Committee on Children, Youth and Families (CYF) seeks two new members with experience and expertise in promoting the application of psychological knowledge to the well-being and optimal development of children, youth and families. Candidates should have experience advancing psychology as a science and profession and as a means of promoting health and human welfare. The committee is particularly interested in candidates with expertise in contemporary issues facing children, youth and families, including stress, juvenile justice, family violence, exposure to community disasters or war, and children's mental health treatment and prevention services. Members are encouraged to take leadership on a targeted project during their service on the committee.
For examples of projects and issues previously addressed by the committee, member requirements for biannual meetings, convention attendance and expected working hours, and nomination material requirements, see March's Monitor. Nomination materials must be received by Aug. 1.
Committee on Disability Issues seeks members
APA's Committee on Disability Issues in Psychology (CDIP) is seeking nominations for two new members to begin three-year terms on Jan. 1.
CDIP serves as a catalyst in APA's governance structure by recommending, influencing, developing and advocating on issues, activities and policies related to the equitable treatment of psychologists and others with disabilities.
Its mission is to promote the psychological well-being of people with disabilities, to promote the inclusion of knowledge about disabilities and disability issues in education, training programs, policies and professional development of psychologists, to promote the development and implementation of psychological service delivery modes that respond to the needs of people with disabilities; and to increase awareness of disability in psychological research as well as specific research activity in disability areas.
CDIP seeks psychologists with disability-related academic, clinical or research experience and with knowledge of APA governance. A strong priority will be given to applicants who have a disability (visible, invisible, or due to a chronic health condition or injury) or personal experience with disability. CDIP also welcomes applications from individuals who identify themselves as members of multiple minority groups. Nominations are open to APA members who are retired or employed less than full time.
CDIP members are required to attend two committee meetings a year in Washington, D.C., with expenses reimbursed by APA. In 2003, the committee will meet March 28-
30 and Sept. 19-
21. Members are expected to work on projects between meetings and encouraged to attend APA's Annual Convention, for which attendance is not subsidized.
Nomination materials, including a current curriculum vitae, a letter indicating a willingness to serve and a description of your personal or professional experience with disability, must be received by Aug. 16. Please forward materials to Anju Khubchandani at the APA address; e-mail..
Faculty of undergraduate
psychology: Attend June's
technology workshop
APA's Education and Public Interest directorates along with Spelman College's department of psychology are pleased to announce plans for a workshop for faculty of undergraduate psychology: "Using technology to enhance the teaching of psychology," June 28-
29, at Spelman College in Atlanta. The workshop begins with registration at 8:30 a.m., Friday, June 28, and continues for a half-day on Saturday, June 29.
The workshop will provide a unique opportunity for faculty to develop new skills for using technology in the classroom. It will offer exposure to Web-page construction, presentation software and ways to use technology in research and education. The workshop will provide valuable tools to promote excellence in the teaching of psychology. Participants will be involved in hands-on activities and have an opportunity for networking and sharing ideas.
Workshop presenters are Vincent Hevern, PhD, of Le Moyne College
in Syracuse, N.Y., and Tonja Ringgold, PhD, of Baltimore City Community College in Baltimore. Hevern is the webmaster for the site of Div. 2 (Society for the Teaching of Psychology): www.teachpsych.org. Ringgold (members.aol.com/Profring/
bccchome/bccchome.htm) taught a variety of psychology courses using a multimedia "smart classroom." Her specialty is designing modules and
presentations for use in multimedia classrooms.
Register by contacting Martha Boenau at (800) 374-2721, ext. 6140.
New and extended grants for the Office of Graduate Education
APA's Office of Graduate Education in the Education Directorate has received funding to support psychology's work with two important initiatives:
* The Preparing Future Faculty Program (PFFP), a comprehensive approach to doctoral education that exposes graduate students to the array of roles and responsibilities awaiting them as the professoriate in the 21st century. PFFP is a national initiative funded by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, the Council of Graduate Schools and an anonymous donor.
* The Campus Compact, a national initiative that supports project activities focusing on developing community-based initiatives related to advancing civic engagement and responsibility through service learning. The award partners psychology faculty who are national leaders in service learning with psychology faculty and graduate students at the PFFP in psychology at the University of Georgia.
To learn more about the higher education initiatives in which APA's Edu
cation Directorate is involved, contact Paul Nelson by e-mail.
Free membership in 2002
APA student affiliates who have paid affiliate dues and received or are about to receive their hard-earned doctoral degrees are eligible to become members at no additional cost in 2002. APA mailed applications to eligible individuals this spring; if you are eligible and have received this offer, please return the upgrade application immediately or as soon as you are eligible.
Those who have not received this offer and wish to step up to member status may contact APA's membership department at the APA address; by (800) 374-2721; e-mail: Membership
Volunteer network provides
information at colleges
and universities
Help psychology students and faculty at your college or university learn about APA services, products and membership benefits by joining APA's volunteer
network. APA will equip volunteers with a tool kit including publication catalogs, applications and other goodies and will occasionally ask volunteers
for their opinions and about the latest buzz on campus. To join this nationwide network, contact Kevin Spotts at
(800) 374-2721, ext. 5610.
--K. HEWLETT
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