PCSAS - Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System

WELCOME

This is the official web site of the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). PCSAS is an independent, non-profit body incorporated in December 2007 to provide rigorous, objective, and empirically based accreditation of Ph.D. programs in psychological clinical science (the terms psychological clinical science and scientific clinical psychology are used interchangeably). PCSAS was created to promote superior science-centered education and training in clinical psychology, to increase the quality and quantity of clinical scientists contributing to the advancement of public health, and to enhance the scientific knowledge base for mental and behavioral health care.

PCSAS's first year, 2008, was devoted primarily to start-up activities: (a) establishing the essential infrastructure for inviting, accepting, and processing accreditation applications from eligible doctoral programs; (b) establishing positive working relationships with relevant entities; (c) building a solid fiscal foundation for effective and sustained operation; and (d) articulating the distinct mission, goals, principles, policies, procedures, and criteria that define PCSAS accreditation and make it unique.

PCSAS started accepting applications for accreditation on June 1, 2009. The first round of reviews was held November 12, 2009; the second round was held May 26, 2010; the third round took place December 4, 2010; the fourth round was held May 25, 2011; and the last review meeting was December 10, 2011. To date, PCSAS has accredited 13 programs (see Accredited Programs). The next Review Committee meeting is scheduled for May 2012. Applications for review at that meeting are due by February 1, 2012.

PCSAS is seeking recognition by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). At its meeting on May 2-3, 2011, the CHEA Board of Directors reviewed the recommendation of the CHEA Committee on Recognition regarding the eligibility application submitted by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). The Board of Directors determined that PCSAS is eligible to undertake a recognition review. PCSAS subsequently has completed a self-evaluation and is providing CHEA with evidence that it meets the CHEA recognition standards. CHEA requires an observation visit to a decision-making meeting of the accrediting organization to observe decision-making activities as these relate to CHEA eligibility and recognition standards. A CHEA observer attended the PCSAS Review Committee meeting on December 10, 2011. In March of 2012, the CHEA Committee on Recognition will review PCSAS's self-evaluation and application for recognition, along with the report of the observation visit and any third-party comments. They will make a recommendation to the CHEA Board of Directors. The CHEA Board of Directors, in May 2012, will make the final determination of PCSAS's recognition status.

For more detailed information, please read the PCSAS Purpose, Organization, Policies, and Procedures Manual -- 2012 (POPP Manual), which can be accessed via the link listed at the top of the "Relevant Publications & Links" page of this website. We hope you find this web site informative and useful. Always eager to improve, we invite your comments and feedback.