APA accredidation

[ell831]

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Quick question about APA accreditation. I am applying to various PsyD programs this fall and am only included APA accredited programs for obvious reasons. I realize this is important if you want to be selected for a respectable internship later on, but how important is having an APA accredited internship? Where does that play in after the internship is completed?
I ask because one of the programs I'm interested in has a near 100% internship match rate, but the %age for APA accredited internships is less than desirable. I'm flying down to visit the school tomorrow so any input before then would be fantastic. THANKS!!

 

[PrisonPsych]

Quick question about APA accreditation. I am applying to various PsyD programs this fall and am only included APA accredited programs for obvious reasons. I realize this is important if you want to be selected for a respectable internship later on, but how important is having an APA accredited internship? Where does that play in after the internship is completed?
I ask because one of the programs I'm interested in has a near 100% internship match rate, but the %age for APA accredited internships is less than desirable. I'm flying down to visit the school tomorrow so any input before then would be fantastic. THANKS!!

Depends on what you're trying to do after you graduate. Some states require you to have done an APA approved internship in order to be licensed there.

 

[docma]

Mississippi, Oklahoma, and the VA (clinical positions, not research) require an APA accredited internship. Outside those, it is an individualized process and you may need to be able to verify how your internship is "equivalent" in some situations. Most APPIC programs are deemed "equivalent" without further detailing. The most conservative route is APA accredited, but it is not the only route to professional success and satisfaction.

 

[erg923]

VA's require their psychologists to have completed APA internships. Many formal post docs (particularly those in neuropsych) and jobs at most medical centers/hospitals require one to have had APA internships. It can end up being quite limiting to your career if you don't.

 

[RileyG]

Mississippi, Oklahoma, and the VA (clinical positions, not research) require an APA accredited internship. Outside those, it is an individualized process and you may need to be able to verify how your internship is "equivalent" in some situations. Most APPIC programs are deemed "equivalent" without further detailing. The most conservative route is APA accredited, but it is not the only route to professional success and satisfaction.

Georgia too

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

VA's require their psychologists to have completed APA internships. Many formal post docs (particularly those in neuropsych) and jobs at most medical centers/hospitals require one to have had APA internships. It can end up being quite limiting to your career if you don't.

+1

Good post-docs will all require it. Many lower-tiered placements now have their pick of applicants, so there is no guarantee of even securing a paid position.

I'm reviewing post-doc fellowships right now, and all of them seem really competitive, and I can't imagine trying to compete and not coming from a solid internship.

 

[docma]

It not quite fair to associate non-APA with "not solid"....a wide variety to good training sites simply can't afford the cost of APA accreditation and the stipends required. Non-APA internship graduates can and do go on to successful careers in universities, medical centers, even VAs (research only).. The path is narrower --but their preparation is solid....

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

It not quite fair to associate non-APA with "not solid"....a wide variety to good training sites simply can't afford the cost of APA accreditation and the stipends required. Non-APA internship graduates can and do go on to successful careers in universities, medical centers, even VAs (research only).. The path is narrower --but their preparation is solid....

Very true. There are some excellent sites that cannot afford and/or choose not to be accredited, typically because of the associated costs. I know some DCTs, and they said it can cost $100k+ between hiring additional supervisors, securing space, etc.