ACCREDITATION OF PSYCHOLOGY GRADUATE PROFESSIONAL-EDUCATION AND TRAINING-PROGRAMS - AN HISTORICAL-PERSPECTIVE

For over 46 years, the American Psychological Association (APA) has sp onsored an accreditation system for professional doctoral and internsh ip programs. Throughout Its history, national conferences in psycholog y have consistently supported this accreditation system, at times with reservations. Recently, both academic and professional groups of psyc hologists have sought a stronger role in this process. The factors lea ding to APA's accreditation system, its evolution, and the recent majo r changes enacted in response to the discipline's interests are discus sed.