How to Use the Designation List

Date First Designated

The online edition lists the date a program was first recognized as a doctoral program in psychology meeting designation criteria and does not necessarily reflect the date the program was initiated at the educational institution. The date first designated appears in parentheses as (ASPPB/NR: 19__). If the program is APA/CPA accredited also, the date of approval is also included, so the listing appears as (ASPPB/NR: 19__; APA/CPA: 19__).

AN INDIVIDUAL IS CONSIDERED A GRADUATE OF A DESIGNATED PROGRAM IF THE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNATED AT THE TIME THE INDIVIDUAL'S DEGREE WAS COMPLETED.

Listing of Canadian Doctoral Programs and CPA Accreditation

Another feature of this publication is the listing of accreditation by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). The three major relevant professional organizations in Canada endorsed this project: the Council of Provincial Associations of Psychologists (CPAP), the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), and the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology (CRHSPP). The 1988 edition of this publication included for the first time Canadian doctoral programs that submitted the documentation in support of meeting the "Guidelines" and that which the ASPPB/National Register Designation Committee evaluated as meeting the "Guidelines." Therefore, 1988 is the earliest date of designation (date in parentheses after each program) for any Canadian program. Beginning with the 1990 edition, all programs receiving joint accreditation by APA and CPA were noted as such as well as those receiving accreditation by only one of those organizations.

Institutional Accreditation (in the U.S., Canada & other countries)

In the United States, the requirement for regional accreditation (Criterion 2) of the educational institution in the designation criteria refers to regional accreditation by one of the six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA) or the United States Department of Education (USDOE). Programs in educational institutions that are candidates for regional accreditation or have probationary status do not meet this criterion and therefore are not included in this publication. However, a program is eligible to apply for listing as soon as full regional accreditation status is achieved for the institution.

In Canada, the requirement for institutional accreditation refers to an institution with provincial authorization.

To date, only programs located in Canada and in the United States have qualified for designation and listing in this online publication. However, language was added to clarify that this requirement also refers to an institution that is accredited by a body  that is deemed by the ASPPB/ National Register Designation Committee to be performing a function equivalent to U.S. regional accrediting bodies. This provision allows institutions outside the United States and Canada to apply for designation.

Designation of Programs Only

Designated programs are identified in the online publication, Designated Doctoral Programs in Psychology Meeting Designation Criteria under the Department or Division in the educational institution. Specific programs are listed with identifying letters (i.e., a., b.). Some programs have indicated that there is a special emphasis or concentration in the doctoral program, and these are included in italics below the name of the recognized program. However, the designation process makes no assessment or designation about such areas of concentration within recognized programs. Reviews are only of programs as listed and not of any special focus within individual doctoral programs.

If any substantive changes occur in a program, it may be considered a new program and reviewed as such by the JDC.

Disclaimer:  The ASPPB/National Register Designation Committee (Designation Committee) makes every effort to ensure that this website is updated to reflect current Designation Committee information. However, this information is subject to change without notice.