Through this article, we will show you what it is, what the objective of APA accreditation is about, and you will understand the importance of its functions in addition to its role in regulating good professional behavior.
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What is APA?
The American Psychological Association “APA” is a scientific and professional organization with more than 100,000 members, making it an association of American psychologists.
This association is one of the most influential authorities in psychology and is divided into associations, among which can be named the general psychology association; the teaching psychology society, and the developmental psychology association.
It is a professional and scientific organization, its main function is the development of psychology; both as a science and as a profession, and it has 50 divisions, managed by a council of representatives with a board of directors.
Its advances and guidelines in psychology are considered throughout the world, they are valued as a science and profession, health promotion, education, and human well-being, it contributes a beneficial and unique weight in the practice of the psychologist.
Today they are certifying more than 20,000 researchers; who are divided into interest groups, representing the sub-disciplines of psychology, while others focus on particular fields in a more general way.
As you can see, the sub-disciplines deal with different areas, among them the ones that stand out the most are those of the education, clinical, consulting, and student sectors.
In summary; APA is one of the largest psychological associations in the world.
And among each of its disciplines, there are various institutions that promote improvement in the appropriate way, the way to act and make the difference between a high level of professional capacity.
What Does APA Certification Mean?
The accreditation commission of the APA accredits the doctoral programs in clinical psychology and school counseling; as well as the training programs for pre-doctoral internships and post-doctoral residency.
This serves as a quality control guide for students in accordance with published guidelines and procedures with a certain level of supervision and appropriate supplementary resources, professionals demanded by a more efficient society.
What Are The Advantages of APA Certification?
The APA certification is very beneficial, as it has advantages; one of which is that in some states it is essential to graduate from an APA accredited school to obtain the respective license.
Another reason is that on a professional level as well, it will open up more opportunities for employment and membership in professional organizations.
Becoming a member of the APA certifies you as a qualified professional in psychology.
Its advances and guidelines in psychology are considered throughout the world.
They are valued as a science and profession, health promotion, education, and human well-being, it contributes a beneficial and unique weight in the practice of the psychologist.
Their certification generates a lot of prestige; since they can be considered a graduate student in psychology from a regionally accredited institution, which is important and valuable for your curriculum.
What Is the Purpose of Accreditation?
Accreditation is a specific program and does not extend to other programs in the same department or institution.
The accreditation commission of the APA is a specialized professional accreditor that assures the educational community and the public a program; whose objectives are defined to preserve the conditions in the doctoral study or postdoctoral internship.
Preparing graduates to provide services based on education and training provided and external review; publicly notifying that the quality standards established by an agency of this accreditation are met.
It only extends to specific doctoral graduate programs, doctoral internships, and postdoctoral residencies in health services, psychology and encourages excellence in post-secondary education and ongoing testing.
All of this is possible through the development of principles and guidelines to evaluate; the educational effectiveness of graduates to provide psychological services in a successful and ethical manner.
What Is the Difference Between APA Accreditation and Institutional Accreditation?
The APA accreditation commission is a professional specialized accreditor who demonstrates that a doctoral, internship or postdoctoral residency program has met accreditation standards.
It only extends to specific postgraduate doctoral programs in health services psychology, and not to other programs in the same department or institution; APA-accredited graduate doctoral programs.
They must be housed in an institution that has regional accreditation; this is done in order to evaluate the educational effectiveness of graduates to provide psychological services in a successful and ethical manner.
All this is through the training given by the accrediting agency, the institution or the program commits itself and external review, publicly notifying that the graduates meet the established quality standards.
While regional accreditation, graduate programs cover institutions consisting of the formation of six regional accreditation bodies in the United States.
Each one is authorized to accredit institutions in specific states; divided by geographic region, and you can have regional accreditation without having completed an APA-accredited program.
Why Is APA Accreditation Important?
Graduating from an accredited program reflects the quality with which an educational institution or program carries out its activities and has been satisfactorily executed.
In the case of the student; the accreditation is relevant since it provides a formal process for the evaluation and continuous improvement; of their program and the results of the development of the faculty.
It is there that faculty, students, and administration can work together to advance the mission of the educational institution; while the accreditation at the labor level provides a forum in which educators, professional psychologists, and public members.
Since they can exchange ideas about the future needs of the profession; and the best way to address these accountability needs is by demonstrating APA accreditation results through an educational process consistent with your goals and objectives.
We hope this article has been very helpful to you: what the objective of APA accreditation is about, what is the difference between regional accreditation and an APA accreditation; its importance, in addition to its role at the time to regulate good behavior as a student, graduate and professional in job opportunities.
