COVID-19: Updates and Information

Updated August 11, 2023

The American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA) recognized that flexibility in delivering educational offerings was warranted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such flexibilities were reasonable given the virus’s infection and transmission rates, as well as the need for all to comply with state and federal laws and regulations related to the virus, and local, state, and national health department guidance for minimizing exposure. In addition, a nation-wide emergency mandate was implemented during the pandemic, which further allowed for change in many aspects of educational delivery. Plus, the US Department of Education (ED) allowed for flexibilities in academic instruction and the methods used for accreditation at both the program and institutional levels.

As an ED recognized agency, the CoA followed the Department’s guidance for accrediting agencies during the pandemic. As programs and institutions are now transitioning to the “after the emergency mandate” environment, the APA-CoA is continuing to follow ED recommendations.

ED-recognized accrediting agencies were granted 180 days post-mandate to transition back to previously approved operations. As the mandate expired on April 11, 2023, the CoA is giving programs a 180-day post-mandate time to return to compliance with the currently approved and published Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology and Accreditation Operating Procedures (SoA-AOP), supporting Implementing Regulations (IR) Related to the SoA, and Implementing Regulations Related to the AOP. Programs should note that recent changes in accreditation requirements, including those that allow for the increased flexibility in the use of telesupervision methods, have been made and are posted by educational level in the IRs related to the SoA (Section C). Please see IR C-11 D., Distance and Electronically Mediated Education in Doctoral Programs, IR C-13 D., Telesupervision, IR C-15 I., Telesupervision, and IR C-15 P., Telesupervision.

In making changes, APA accredited programs are advised to continue to follow the guidance offered by their institution, as well as that from the World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local health departments. Accredited programs must also comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations to maintain program operations in the post-pandemic environment. Additionally, external regulatory requirements such as local, state, and federal laws and regulations, should be considered when modifying educational methods, including those for academic coursework and clinical experiential training.

The CoA supports programs in their efforts to determine the best ways for students and trainees to successfully develop knowledge and competencies in accord with program requirements during the transition back to pre-mandate operations.

*This document was previously revised on July 31, 2020, November 24, 2020, January 7, 2021, July 1, 2021, December 1, 2021, June 10, 2022, November 1, 2022, May 15, 2023, and August 11, 2023.