School psychology program gets nod from APA, NASP

The University of Florida’s School Psychology program has just been reaccredited by both the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists. The program is now accredited for the next seven years, the maximum time span allowed by APA and NASP.

“Accreditation means that the program is approved by national organizations and essential states that the program meets the highest standards,” said Professor John Kranzler, who heads the program. “Accreditation is a statement to the community that the program is of high quality; and it helps students obtain a license or certification for practice.”

The seven-year accreditation is a welcome affirmation that the program is in “excellent shape”, Kranzler said.

APA guidelines stress that accreditation is “both a status and a process.” In other words, accredited programs are required to constantly conduct assessments of the effectiveness of their programs, submit annual reports to the accrediting agencies, and submit a detailed self-assessment when re-accreditation time comes around. The process culminates in a site visit in which APA and NASP experts come to campus to evaluate the program.