Accreditation in the profession of psychology: a cautionary tale
Article
Article Title | Accreditation in the profession of psychology: a cautionary tale |
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ERA Journal ID | 124646 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Maiden, Robert (Author), Knight, Bob G. (Author), Howe, Judith L. (Author) and Kim, Seungyoun (Author) |
Journal Title | Gerontology and Geriatrics Education |
Journal Citation | 33 (1), pp. 55-74 |
Number of Pages | 20 |
Year | 2012 |
Place of Publication | United States |
ISSN | 0270-1960 |
1545-3847 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/02701960.2012.640728 |
Web Address (URL) | http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02701960.2012.640728#.VmZicKN--M8 |
Abstract | This article examines the history of accreditation in psychology and applies the lessons learned to the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education's (AGHE) consideration of forming an organization to accredit programs in gerontology. The authors identify the challenges met and unmet, the successes and failures, and the key issues that emerged from psychology's experience with accreditation. Psychology has been accrediting programs in clinical psychology for more than 65 years, and the process has been marked by several false steps, considerable tension, and some controversy and at times significant dissatisfaction. The accreditation process that has emerged today, which includes counseling, school psychology, graduate practica, and postdoctoral practica sites, is generally well received yet some tensions exist. The authors apply the lessons learned from psychology's evolution to AGHE. The experience of psychology suggests a need for clear minimum standards and consistency across programs in training goals, if not in curricula and practica. However, setting standards for specific curricula and practice content may result in a similar contentiousness that has plagued psychology. Ultimately, the authors conclude that the benefits of accreditation of programs outweigh the deficits. |
Keywords | accreditation; self-directed evaluation; outcome-based measures; scientist–practitioner; AGHE |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 390303. Higher education |
390499. Specialist studies in education not elsewhere classified | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | Alfred University, United States |
University of Southern California, United States | |
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q3322/accreditation-in-the-profession-of-psychology-a-cautionary-tale
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