ACCREDITATION OF PSYCHOLOGY GRADUATE PROFESSIONAL-EDUCATION AND TRAINING-PROGRAMS - AN HISTORICAL-PERSPECTIVE

For over 46 years, the American Psychological Association (APA) has sponsored an accreditation system for professional doctoral and internship programs. Throughout Its history, national conferences in psychology have consistently supported this accreditation system, at times with reservations. Recently, both academic and professional groups of psychologists have sought a stronger role in this process. The factors leading to APA's accreditation system, its evolution, and the recent major changes enacted in response to the discipline's interests are discussed.