Doctoral Programs

Doctoral programs granted “accreditation, on contingency” status will be required to submit an updated self-study that includes proximal and distal outcome data, within three years of receiving “accredited, on contingency” status in order to apply for full accreditation. A second site visit will also be conducted as part of the review process to move to full accreditation, so that the Commission on Accreditation (CoA) has complete materials on which to base an accreditation decision.

Submitting Outcome Data for Review

What to Submit

A complete self-study that includes proximal and distal outcome data.

How to Submit

Contingent doctoral programs will need to submit their self-study application for full accreditation in the CoA Portal by a date certain. Programs will be given a specific due date for their full accreditation self-study when they are granted “accreditation, on contingency” status.

Internship and Postdoctoral Programs

Doctoral internship and postdoctoral programs must submit aggregate proximal and distal outcome data by the time two cohorts have completed the program. Upon receipt of those data the CoA will review the data to determine whether they are sufficient to grant full accreditation. Contingent programs are eligible for up to three years of initial full accreditation following receipt of adequate and appropriate outcome data.

Submitting Outcome Data for Review

What to Submit

• Aggregated proximal outcome data
• Aggregated distal outcome data
• Copies of relevant evaluation tools (proximal and distal)
• List of required competencies and minimum levels of achievement (MLAs)

Programs are encouraged to utilize the contingent to full outcome data preparation sheet (DOC, 29KB) to prepare their outcome data submission. Programs are also encouraged to utilize the proximal and distal data table templates provided for self-study preparation to present their outcome data. These table templates are available with the CoA Online Self-Study Preparation Sheets.

How to Submit

Programs that submitted their self-study in the CoA Portal and were awarded “accreditation, on contingency” status under the SoA must submit aggregate outcome data, along with supporting documentation, in the CoA Portal. Programs can respond by navigating to the follow-up tab, which will provide access to the relevant standards that have been re-opened for response.

Programs are encouraged to review the relevant Outcome Data Implementing Regulations for clarification and guidance on the type of data the CoA needs to make an accreditation decision.

Outcome Data Implementing Regulations

Implementing regulations for doctoral (IR C-18 D), internship (IR C-16 I) and postdoctoral (IR C-16 P) programs are all available in Section C: IRs related to the Standards of Accreditation (PDF, 1.5MB).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to submit a self-study to move from contingency to full accreditation?

Doctoral programs that are “accredited, on contingency” will be required to submit an updated self-study with outcome data within three years of receiving contingent status.

Internship and postdoctoral programs that are “accredited, on contingency” do not have to submit a revised self-study. Internship and postdoctoral programs only need to submit the required outcome data and supporting documentation to be reviewed for full accreditation. Upon review of the outcome data, programs will be eligible for up to three years of full accreditation. If granted full accreditation, the program would then have a self-study and site visit due within three years as part of the periodic review process for continued accreditation.

Will I have to undergo another site visit for full accreditation?

Doctoral programs will have another site visit as part of the review process to move to full accreditation.

A site visit is not conducted for internship and postdoctoral programs seeking to move from contingent to full accreditation.

Can I submit my outcome data and apply for full accreditation early?

Internship and postdoctoral programs may submit their outcome data prior to their specified due date if they have outcome data for two cohorts. Programs that wish to submit their outcome data early must contact the Accreditation Office with notice of their intent to submit for early review. The Accreditation Office will then provide guidance on the potential timeline for review and submission process. 

Doctoral programs who wish to apply for full accreditation earlier than their specified timeline would need to contact the Accreditation Office for consideration of the request.

Am I required to complete the ARO if my program is “accredited, on contingency”?

Yes. All accredited programs, including contingent programs, are required to complete the ARO.