Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology Earns Reaccreditation

UCF’s Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology earned an exceptional reaccreditation this year by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA).  The program was reaccredited for a 7-year period, which is the longest period that the APA will award for re-accreditation.

Accreditation means that institutional or program quality has been judged to be at an acceptable or higher level by professionals who are experts in a specific field of content and have experience in higher education. These experts judge how well:

• Accreditation standards are met (and can continue to be met) by the institution or program

• Elements such as curriculum, evaluation methods, faculty, resources and admission requirements are suited to the overall mission and level of program offerings and objectives

• Students can be expected to fulfill the knowledge and skills requirements for completion of their programs

• Tests, juries and other review mechanisms are in place to support and evaluate learning and ensure that graduation or completion requirements are met

Accredited doctoral programs provide broad and general training in scientific psychology and in the foundations of practice, and have as a goal to prepare students for the practice of professional psychology.

For the program to be reviewed for reaccreditation, our leadership team compiled information from our current students, graduates, and our faculty regarding appropriate achievements and outcomes.  Our leadership team consisted of Dr. Deborah Beidel (Director at the time), Dr. Kimberly Renk (Associate Director at the time), and Donna Lucas (Program Assistant).  This compilation resulted in a 600+-page document outlining the program’s outcomes.

Following review of the written materials noted above, the American Psychological Association sent out a team of three esteemed colleagues (“site visitors”) who met with faculty, staff, and students and reviewed our record keeping system on site.

“I am pleased that the doctoral-degree program in Clinical Psychology received a favorable review by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. I applaud the commitment to doctoral education by our psychology faculty that this approval reflects, and I thank all the participants in this accreditation process for their time and effort. Congratulations on the achievement of this important certification,” noted President Hitt.

The Mission of UCF’s Ph.D Program in Clinical Psychology: Graduates of our program are prepared to pursue careers in academic, research, and applied health service provider settings. Consistent with the scientist-practitioner model, our program educates and trains students “to generate and integrate scientific and professional knowledge, attitudes and skills so as to further psychological science, the professional practice of psychology, and human welfare. The graduate of this training model is capable of functioning as an investigator and as a practitioner and may function as either or both, consistent with the highest standards in psychology” (National Conference on the Education and Training of Scientist-Practitioners for the Professional Practice of Psychology, 1990, pp. 7-8). Graduate students also receive specific training in university level classroom instruction/instructional technology and clinical supervision, consistent with the role of clinical psychologists in the 21st century.

To learn more about UCF’s Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology, click here.

To learn more about the American Psychological Association (APA) and the accreditation process click here.