How to Use the Designation List

Date First Designated

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

The 2008 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 included, and the listing appears as (ASPPB/NR:19__; APA/CPA: 19__). The reader may wish to contact APA or CPA directly for additional information on programs accredited by those organizations.

Listing of Canadian Doctoral Programs and CPA Accreditation

Another feature of this publication is the listing of accreditation by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) as equivalent to APA accreditation. The three major relevant 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 will be 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 United States, Canada and other countries)

In the United States, the requirement for regional accreditation of the educational institution in the designation criteria refers to full regional accreditation (Criterion 2) 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 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 the United States have applied for designation and listing in this publication. However, a footnote was added to clarify that this requirement also refers to an institution that is accredited by a body which is deemed by the ASPPB/ National Register Designation Committee to be performing a function equivalent to U.S. regional accrediting bodies.

The application fee for the review of programs from university departments or professional schools is $1,000. Programs offered at geographically different locations are considered different programs and thus necessitate a separate application and fee for each location. If both a Psy.D. and a Ph.D. are offered at one location, each will be considered separate programs and necessitate separate applications and fees.

In January 2000, an annual Internet hosting fee was instituted for each designated program maintained on the web site. Currently, the annual Internet Hosting/Maintenance fee is $95 per program.

Designation of "Programs"

The designated programs are identified in the publication under the Department or Division in the educational institution. They are listed with identifying letters (i.e., a., b., c.). Some programs have indicated that there is a special emphasis or concentration in the doctoral program, and these are included in italics below the recognized program. However, the designation process makes no representation about those areas of concentration within recognized programs. Reviews are only of programs as listed and not of any special focus within the doctoral programs.

If there were any substantive changes in a program, it was considered a new program and reviewed as such. It may be, therefore, that the core elements of the program were present for some time, but as a result of the modifications, it is identified as a new program.

Comments Solicited

If there are any questions about the use of Doctoral Psychology Programs Meeting Designation Criteria, please direct them in writing to the National Register. It is our intent that the information serves credentialing bodies and the public. Any suggestions for improvements in that information will be given careful consideration.

Judy E. Hall, Ph.D.
Executive Officer
National Register
1120 G Street, NW, Ste. 330
Washington, DC 20005

Phone: 202-783-7663; Email: judy@nationalregister.org

updated 4/11/2008