Developing a Blueprint for Accrediting Health Service Psychology Programs
Board of Educational Affairs Task Force to develop a blueprint for APA accreditation of master's programs in health service psychology.
APA has discussed the role of master's training in psychology through numerous initiatives dating as far back as 70 years, with no consensus. However, in August 2017 the APA Council of Representative voted that:
“Current issues and developments have risen to the level that APA should consider options related to master's level training and/or practice and that staff and governance should identify and explore options for APA to consider.”
In March 2018, council was provided this information and voted to approve pursuing accreditation of master's level programs in areas where APA already accredits (clinical, counseling, school). Council directed staff and governance, in particular the Board of Educational Affairs, to take steps to develop an accreditation system.
Task Force Charge
The task force was charged with outlining a plan by which APA could pursue development of an accreditation system for master's programs in health service areas (clinical, counseling, school) of psychology. Specifically, the charge of the task force included:
Developing a statement that broadly delineates the scope of accreditation for training at the master's level as contrasted with the current scope at the doctoral level.
Prioritizing possible pathways for APA to establish accreditation of master's programs in psychology. For example, what are the advantages and disadvantages of creating an entirely new accreditation system vs. expanding the scope of APA's current accrediting body. Included would be a review of how the accreditation body would (or would not) overlap with existing accreditation systems for individuals trained at the master's level in health service areas of psychology.
Identifying the necessary expertise to comprise the accreditation decision making body.
