Accreditation for Psychology Programs
How does accreditation impact the quality of your psychology degree and future career prospects? Check out this guide to find out why accreditation matters.
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Accreditation verifies that your school or program meets established standards of quality. Accreditation can determine whether your degree will be recognized by other institutions and prospective employers, and if you will be eligible for financial aid or state licenses. Learn why understanding accreditation is important, especially in the field of psychology.
What Is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a formal process of evaluating colleges and universities to determine if they meet established standards of academic quality. Accreditation is granted by independent accrediting agencies authorized by either the U.S. Department of Education (ED) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
When choosing a psychology program, it is important to consider both institutional and programmatic accreditation.
Institutional vs. Programmatic Accreditation
Institutional accreditation applies to an entire college or university, ensuring that the institution meets established standards of quality and integrity. Institutional accrediting bodies promote a comprehensive education for all enrolled students across disciplines and departments.
Programmatic accreditation evaluates specific departments, programs, and degrees within an institution, ensuring alignment with rigorous academic standards and industry best practices. Programmatic accreditation is required for professional licensure and certification in many fields.
Several programmatic accrediting bodies, each with its own focus, evaluate graduate psychology programs:
- The American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA) accredits doctoral degrees, doctoral-level internships, and postdoctoral programs in psychology.
- The Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) accredits master’s programs in psychology and counseling.
- The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) approves and accredits graduate degrees in school psychology.
- The Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAC) accredits clinical psychology Ph.D. programs that adhere to a clinical science training model.
Regional vs. National Accreditation
When researching a school or program’s accreditation, you may come across the terms “regional accreditation” and “national accreditation.” In 2020, the ED removed the distinction between regional and national accreditation.
However, higher education institutions and state licensing bodies have slowly updated their requirements to reflect the ED’s change.
If you plan to become a psychologist, counselor, social worker, or mental health care professional, you must meet the requirements of your state’s licensing board to practice. If your state still requires a degree from a regionally accredited institution, this is crucial to know before beginning an academic program.
Why Does Accreditation Matter?
Attending an accredited school assures you that you will receive a quality education, preparing you for a career in your chosen field of study.
- Quality and Accountability: Accreditation ensures that your school meets established standards in areas such as curriculum, student support, and faculty qualifications. Accreditation demonstrates a school’s commitment to quality education, best practices, and public accountability.
- Financial Aid Eligibility: You must attend an accredited institution to be eligible for federal student aid, including Pell grants, student loans, and work-study. Third-party providers of grants and scholarships also commonly require applicants to be enrolled at an accredited institution.
- Credit Transferability: Most accredited colleges and universities do not recognize credits earned at unaccredited institutions, which is crucial if you decide to transfer to a new school.
- Graduate Program Admission: Many graduate programs only consider applications from students who earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Professional Licensure: Most state licensing boards require a degree from an accredited psychology program, making accreditation essential if you plan to practice as a licensed psychologist or obtain specialized certifications.
- Employment Prospects: Employers often prefer or require applicants to hold degrees from accredited institutions, viewing their credentials as more credible and reliable.
How To Determine if a School or Program Is Accredited
Most colleges or universities display accreditation status on their websites. However, degree mills, sometimes known as diploma mills, may use tricky wording or advertise accreditation by a fraudulent agency to deceive potential students.
Use the ED’s search engine and/or the CHEA’s search engine to find out:
- If the institution or program is accredited by an ED or CHEA-approved agency
- Which ED or CHEA-approved agencies accredit the institution and each of its accredited programs
- What kind of accreditation do they hold
Check your state licensing board’s website to see:
- What kind of accreditation is currently required or preferred
- Whether they require regional, national, or programmatic accreditation
- If the licensing board’s requirement lines up with the accreditation that your university or program possesses
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology Accreditation
The American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA) is the most generally accepted programmatic accreditor for doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, required by most states for licensure. However, other psychology accreditations exist for different degrees or specializations.
