The
Accreditation Operation Procedures
(AOP) outline procedures that guide the accreditation process for programs to be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Correspondent to the AOP are Implementing Regulations (IRs), which are official policy documents that “elucidate, interpret and operationally define” the CoA’s policies and procedures. IRs are divided into several different sections (A through E), which are subject to regular review and revision by the CoA. Through this iterative process, opportunities for clarification have arisen regarding IRs in Section D, which relate specifically to the AOP, and an IR in Section E, which addresses Self-Governance and Regulation.
Use of Narrative Annual Reports for Reaffirmation of Accredited Status and Monitoring of Individual Programs
The CoA has updated this policy to include narrative annual reports for master’s programs.
Procedures for Notification of CoA Actions in Accordance with the Secretary of Education’s Standards for Recognition of Accrediting Agencies
The Commission has clarified this policy to align the CoA’s policies with its current action regarding written notice of an initiated adverse action.
Commission on Accreditation Policy on Research Studies
The CoA has updated this policy to include master's cohort groups as well as a new student achievement measure for master's programs.
In accordance with the APA “Policies for Accreditation Governance” and the US Department of Education regulations for notice and comment, the CoA is providing additional information and is making the changes available for a thirty (30) day period of public notice starting
September 8, 2025. Information about the proposed standards and public comment is available at
http://apps.apa.org/accredcomment/. On behalf of the CoA, thank you in advance for your review.
To promote thoughtful discussion, the CoA is providing an electronic-based form for public comment submission. Comments and other information, including users' identities will be public while email addresses used in the registration process will be confidential. The CoA will consider all comments received and make appropriate revisions should they be deemed necessary before approval of the final versions of the IRs.
The Accreditation Operation Procedures (AOP) outline procedures that guide the accreditation process for programs to be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Correspondent to the AOP are Implementing Regulations (IRs), which are official policy documents that “elucidate, interpret and operationally define” the CoA’s policies and procedures. IRs are divided into several different sections (A through E), which are subject to regular review and revision by the CoA. Through this iterative process, opportunities for clarification have arisen regarding IRs in Section D, which relate specifically to the AOP, and an IR in Section E, which addresses Self-Governance and Regulation.
Use of Narrative Annual Reports for Reaffirmation of Accredited Status and Monitoring of Individual Programs
The CoA has updated this policy to include narrative annual reports for master’s programs.
Procedures for Notification of CoA Actions in Accordance with the Secretary of Education’s Standards for Recognition of Accrediting Agencies
The Commission has clarified this policy to align the CoA’s policies with its current action regarding written notice of an initiated adverse action.
Commission on Accreditation Policy on Research Studies
The CoA has updated this policy to include master's cohort groups as well as a new student achievement measure for master's programs.
In accordance with the APA “Policies for Accreditation Governance” and the US Department of Education regulations for notice and comment, the CoA is providing additional information and is making the changes available for a thirty (30) day period of public notice starting September 8, 2025. Information about the proposed standards and public comment is available at http://apps.apa.org/accredcomment/. On behalf of the CoA, thank you in advance for your review.
To promote thoughtful discussion, the CoA is providing an electronic-based form for public comment submission. Comments and other information, including users' identities will be public while email addresses used in the registration process will be confidential. The CoA will consider all comments received and make appropriate revisions should they be deemed necessary before approval of the final versions of the IRs.