Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association APA-CoA

Overview

The Commission on Accreditation (CoA) of the American Psychological Association (APA) is the primary programmatic accrediting body in the United States for professional education and training in psychology. Established to promote consistent quality and excellence in education and training in health service psychology, the CoA accredits doctoral graduate programs, predoctoral internships and postdoctoral residency programs in clinical, counseling, school and other developed practice areas of psychology. Its accreditation process ensures that programs meet standards that produce graduates ready to provide excellent clinical psychological services to the public.

History and Legal Framework

The APA CoA was established to provide accreditation for psychology programs, ensuring they meet professional and scientific standards that support the successful, ethical and skillful delivery of psychological services. It operates under the auspices of the American Psychological Association and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a programmatic accrediting body. The CoA's policies and procedures are outlined in the "Guidelines and Principles for Accreditation of Programs in Professional Psychology" and the "Accreditation Operating Procedures," which are periodically reviewed and updated to reflect changes in the field and educational practices.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

Mission: The APA CoA's mission is to promote consistent quality and excellence in education and training in health service psychology. This mission is achieved by accrediting programs that provide tangible benefits for prospective students, the public and the discipline of psychology itself.

Vision: To ensure that accredited psychology programs produce graduates who are competent, ethical and prepared to meet the diverse psychological needs of society.

Objectives:

• Accredit programs that meet established standards of quality and relevance to the healthcare industry.
• Promote continuous improvement in educational practices within accredited programs.
• Support the development of a competent workforce in health service psychology.

Governance, Structure and Independence

The APA CoA operates as an autonomous body within the American Psychological Association. It is governed by a commission composed of members from academic institutions, professional psychology practice and the public. The commission is appointed by and reports to the APA's Board of Educational Affairs. This structure ensures that the CoA's accreditation decisions are made independently and are free from external influence, maintaining the integrity of the accreditation process.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

The APA CoA's accreditation process involves a comprehensive evaluation of programs against established standards. These standards cover various aspects, including curriculum, faculty qualifications, student outcomes and institutional resources. Programs seeking accreditation must undergo a rigorous review process, which includes a self-study, site visits and evaluations by peers in the field. The CoA's accreditation ensures that programs meet high standards of academic quality and rigor, preparing graduates to succeed in their chosen psychology professions.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

While the APA CoA primarily accredits programs within the United States, it recognizes the importance of international collaboration in the field of psychology. The APA maintains international affiliations and engages in partnerships with global organizations to stay informed about international standards and practices. This engagement ensures that the CoA's accreditation processes remain relevant and aligned with global developments in psychology education and practice.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

The APA CoA's accreditation activities have a significant impact on higher education by ensuring that psychology programs meet high standards of quality. This, in turn, enhances the employability of graduates and supports the development of a skilled workforce capable of addressing the complexities of modern psychological services. Looking forward, the CoA continues to adapt its accreditation processes to reflect advancements in research, technology and changes in healthcare delivery, ensuring that accredited programs remain responsive to the evolving needs of the profession and society.

Summary

The Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality and relevance of psychology education in the United States. Through its rigorous accreditation processes, the CoA ensures that educational programs prepare graduates who are equipped to meet the challenges of the psychology profession. Its commitment to quality assurance, continuous improvement and global collaboration underscores its dedication to fostering a robust and globally competitive psychology education system.

FAQs

• What is the APA CoA? The APA CoA is the primary programmatic accrediting body in the United States for professional education and training in psychology.
• What programs does the APA CoA accredit? The APA CoA accredits doctoral graduate programs, predoctoral internships and postdoctoral residency programs in clinical, counseling, school and other developed practice areas of psychology.
• Who governs the APA CoA? The APA CoA is governed by a commission composed of members from academic institutions, professional psychology practice and the public. The commission is appointed by and reports to the APA's Board of Educational Affairs.
• Is the APA CoA recognized by any accrediting bodies? Yes, the APA CoA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a programmatic accrediting body.
• How can I find accredited psychology programs? A list of accredited programs is published annually in the December edition of the American Psychologist and is available on the APA's accreditation website.

Organization Name

Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association

Acronym

APA-CoA

Year of Establishment

1/01/1947

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); U.S. Department of Education

Affiliations or Memberships

Association for Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA)

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

852

Address

750 First Street, NE
Washington
20002-4242 District of Columbia United States

Phone

+1 (202) 336 5979

Fax

+1 (202) 336 5978

List of universities offering programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA-CoA):

Alabama

1. University of Alabama at Birmingham
2. University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
3. University of South Alabama
4. Auburn University

Alaska

1. University of Alaska Fairbanks-Anchorage

Arizona

1. Arizona State University
2. Midwestern University
3. Northern Arizona University
4. University of Arizona

Arkansas

1. University of Arkansas
2. University of Central Arkansas

California

1. Alliant International University, Fresno
2. Alliant International University, Los Angeles
3. Alliant International University, Sacramento
4. Alliant International University, San Diego
5. Alliant International University, San Francisco Bay
6. Azusa Pacific University
7. Biola University
8. California Lutheran University
9. Fielding Graduate University
10. Fuller Theological Seminary
11. John F. Kennedy University
12. Loma Linda University
13. Palo Alto University
14. Pepperdine University
15. San Diego State University - UC San Diego
16. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Irvine (TCSPP/I)/Argosy Teach-Out
17. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles
18. The Wright Institute
19. University of California, Berkeley
20. University of California, Los Angeles
21. University of California, Riverside
22. University of California, Santa Barbara
23. University of La Verne
24. University of San Francisco
25. University of Southern California
26. Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine

Colorado

1. Colorado State University
2. University of Colorado Boulder
3. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
4. University of Colorado Denver
5. University of Denver
6. University of Northern Colorado

Connecticut

1. University of Connecticut
2. University of Hartford
3. Yale University

Delaware

1. University of Delaware

District of Columbia

1. American University
2. Catholic University of America
3. Gallaudet University
4. George Washington University
5. Howard University
6. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology - Washington, D.C. Campus

Florida

1. Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine
2. Carlos Albizu University, Miami Campus
3. Florida Institute of Technology
4. Florida International University
5. Florida State University
6. Nova Southeastern University
7. University of Central Florida
8. University of Florida
9. University of Miami
10. University of South Florida
11. National Louis University, Tampa/Argosy Teach-Out

Georgia

1. Emory University
2. Georgia Southern University
3. Georgia State University
4. Mercer University
5. University of Georgia

Hawaii

1. Chaminade University of Honolulu/Argosy Teach-Out
2. University of Hawaii at Manoa

Idaho

1. Idaho State University

Illinois

1. Adler University - Chicago
2. Chicago School of Professional Psychology - Chicago Campus
3. DePaul University
4. Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
5. Illinois Institute of Technology
6. Illinois State University
7. Loyola University Chicago
8. National Louis University, Chicago/Argosy Teach-Out
9. Northwestern University
10. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
11. Northern Illinois University
12. Roosevelt University
13. Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
14. Southern Illinois University Carbondale
15. University of Illinois at Chicago
16. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
17. Wheaton College

Indiana

1. Ball State University
2. Indiana State University
3. Indiana University - Bloomington
4. Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
5. Indiana University of Pennsylvania
6. Purdue University
7. University of Indianapolis
8. University of Notre Dame

Iowa

1. Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
2. Iowa State University
3. University of Iowa

Kansas

1. University of Kansas
2. Wichita State University

Kentucky

1. Eastern Kentucky University
2. Spalding University
3. University of Kentucky
4. University of Louisville

Louisiana

1. Louisiana State University
2. Louisiana Tech University
3. Tulane University
4. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Maine

1. University of Maine

Maryland

1. Loyola University Maryland
2. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
3. University of Maryland, Baltimore County
4. University of Maryland-College Park

Massachusetts

1. Boston College
2. Boston University
3. Clark University
4. Harvard University
5. Northeastern University
6. Springfield College
7. Suffolk University
8. University of Massachusetts Amherst
9. University of Massachusetts, Boston
10. William James College

Michigan

1. Andrews University
2. Central Michigan University
3. Eastern Michigan University
4. Michigan School of Psychology
5. Michigan State University
6. University of Detroit Mercy
7. University of Michigan
8. Wayne State University
9. Western Michigan University

Minnesota

1. Augsburg University/Argosy Teach-Out
2. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
3. University of Minnesota
4. University of St. Thomas

Mississippi

1. Jackson State University
2. Mississippi State University
3. University of Mississippi
4. University of Southern Mississippi

Missouri

1. Saint Louis University
2. University of Missouri Kansas City
3. University of Missouri, Columbia
4. University of Missouri, St. Louis
5. Washington University in St. Louis

Montana

1. The University of Montana

Nebraska

1. University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Nevada

1. University of Nevada Las Vegas
2. University of Nevada, Reno

New Hampshire

1. Antioch University New England
2. Rivier University

New Jersey

1. College of Saint Elizabeth
2. Fairleigh Dickinson University
3. Kean University
4. Montclair State University
5. Rowan University
6. Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey
7. Seton Hall University
8. William Paterson University

New Mexico

1. New Mexico State University
2. University of New Mexico

New York

1. Adelphi University
2. Alfred University
3. Binghamton University, State University of New York
4. City University of New York
5. City University of New York, Graduate Center
6. The City College of New York, The Graduate Center, CUNY
7. Fordham University
8. Hofstra University
9. John Jay College of Criminal Justice & The Graduate Center, CUNY
10. Long Island University
11. Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus
12. New York University
13. Pace University
14. Queens College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York
15. Roberts Wesleyan College
16. St. John's University
17. Stony Brook University, State University of New York
18. Syracuse University
19. Teachers College, Columbia University
20. The New School
21. University at Albany
22. University at Buffalo, State University of New York
23. University of Rochester
24. Yeshiva University
25. New York College of Podiatric Medicine

North Carolina

1. Duke University
2. East Carolina University
3. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
4. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
5. University of North Carolina, Greensboro
6. North Carolina State University

North Dakota

1. University of North Dakota

Ohio

1. Bowling Green State University
2. Case Western Reserve University
3. Cleveland State University
4. Kent State University
5. Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine
6. Miami University
7. The Ohio State University
8. Ohio University
9. The University of Akron
10. University of Cincinnati
11. University of Toledo
12. Wright State University
13. Xavier University

Oklahoma

1. Oklahoma State University
2. University of Oklahoma
3. University of Tulsa

Oregon

1. George Fox University
2. Pacific University
3. Pacific University, Oregon
4. University of Oregon

Pennsylvania

1. Carlow University
2. Chestnut Hill College
3. Chatham University
4. Drexel University
5. Duquesne University
6. Immaculata University
7. Indiana University of Pennsylvania
8. La Salle University
9. Lehigh University
10. Marywood University
11. Pennsylvania State University
12. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
13. Point Park University
14. Temple University
15. University of Pennsylvania
16. University of Pittsburgh
17. West Chester University of Pennsylvania
18. Widener University
19. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Podiatric Medicine
20. Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine

Puerto Rico

1. Carlos Albizu University, San Juan Campus
2. Ponce Health Sciences University
3. Universidad Ana G. Mendez, Gurabo Campus

Rhode Island

1. University of Rhode Island

South Carolina

1. University of South Carolina

South Dakota

1. The University of South Dakota

Tennessee

1. East Tennessee State University
2. The University of Memphis
3. Tennessee State University
4. University of Tennessee - Knoxville
5. Vanderbilt University

Texas

1. Baylor University
2. Our Lady of the Lake University
3. Sam Houston State University
4. Southern Methodist University
5. Texas A&M University
6. Texas Tech University
7. Texas Woman's University
8. University of Houston
9. University of Houston- Clear Lake
10. University of North Texas
11. University of Texas at Austin
12. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Podiatric Medicine
13. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Utah

1. Brigham Young University
2. University of Utah
3. Utah State University

Vermont

1. University of Vermont

Virginia

1. Divine Mercy University
2. George Mason University
3. James Madison University
4. Radford University
5. Regent University
6. University of Virginia
7. Virginia Commonwealth University
8. Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology
9. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Washington

1. Antioch University Seattle
2. Northwest University
3. Seattle Pacific University
4. University of Washington
5. Washington State University

West Virginia

1. Marshall University
2. West Virginia University

Wisconsin

1. Marquette University
2. University of Wisconsin, Madison
3. University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
4. Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology

Wyoming

1. University of Wyoming

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