An open letter to psychology students from APA-CoA

September 29, 2026

Dear students,

We are writing to share an update that may affect psychology education and training. On September 24, the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) recommended that the U.S. Department of Education (“ED” or the “Department”) suspend federal recognition of the APA Commission on Accreditation (CoA). This recommendation came despite a recommendation from Department staff supporting renewal of CoA’s recognition. 

It’s important for you to know your program’s accreditation is not based on this recommendation. The NACIQI recommendation is not a final decision, and CoA remains federally recognized while the Department considers its response.

Regardless of the Education Department’s final decision, CoA can and will continue accrediting programs. We remain recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Accreditation reviews and site visits will continue as usual.

However, a suspension of CoA’s federal recognition would have implications for some federal funding that supports training, although Title IV student loan money would be unaffected assuming that the institution in which a program resides is accredited by a federally recognized institutional accreditor. 

The CoA intends to do everything it can to maintain its recognition by the Department. And we understand that current and prospective students need clear information to make decisions about their education and careers. We intend to share more information as that information becomes available.

Concerns about antisemitism. 

We also want to speak directly to concerns about antisemitism and discrimination in psychology education and training programs that were raised during the NACIQI meeting. We take these concerns very seriously. Our Standards of Accreditation provide that all students deserve a learning environment free from antisemitism and all other forms of discrimination.

Antisemitism is a reprehensible form of hatred and bigotry that is a stain on our country. All students deserve a learning environment free from antisemitism and all other forms of discrimination. A training environment that tolerates bias against any group also falls short of preparing psychologists to serve the public well.

If you have experienced antisemitism or other discrimination in an APA-accredited program, we encourage you to submit a formal complaint to CoA so we may review and address concerns. You are entitled to submit a complaint to us and remain anonymous from your program. We want to help students who have complaints file them. You can file a complaint directly with CoA here: Complaints & Third-Party Testimony. In addition, you are always free and encouraged to submit third-party comments about programs scheduled for Commission review, which CoA considers when making an accreditation decision about a program. If you want to understand your options, you can contact us directly and staff will walk you through the process.

The Commission remains committed to supporting you, your program, and the quality of your education. Please visit our website for our message to programs, updates, and more information about how this suspension, if upheld by ED, will affect programs. And, as always, we hope you will contact us with any questions at apaaccred@apa.org.