Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology Program at Regent University Earns 10-Year APA Reaccreditation

The Regent University School of Psychology & Counseling (SPC) has earned a 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation from the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (CoA) for its Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program.

“This is a great accomplishment for Regent University and for the School of Psychology & Counseling,” said SPC Dean William Hathaway, Ph.D. “The accreditation process involves a very thorough review of the program’s compliance with industry standards and, thus, is a strong indicator of the quality of our program.” The accreditation process, according to the CoA, is intended to promote consistent quality and excellence in education and training in health service psychology.

Regent’s School of Psychology & Counseling accreditation team started an extensive self-study process in August 2017. After one year of internal review, they submitted documents to the APA in Aug 2018. The APA CoA conducted a site visit in June 2019, during which time three psychologists from other doctoral programs spent two days with SPC, verifying reported information, observing the program, and interviewing students, alumni, faculty, and administrators. They issued their positive decision in November 2019.

“This process involved hundreds of hours and multiple faculty and support staff,” explained Psy.D. Program Director Anderson Rowan, Ph.D. “We are grateful for Regent’s collaborative spirit and proud of this outcome and the excellence it reflects.”

Earlier in 2019, Regent’s Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology fourth-year students earned a 100 percent internship match-rate. This is the fourth consecutive year (2016-2019) for this accomplishment. In 2017 and 2019, all the matches were specifically with APA-accredited sites. Read more.

Regent’s School of Psychology & Counseling is one of the few academic units to simultaneously house the APA-accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology, three CACREP-accredited master’s and doctoral programs in counseling, plus other graduate psychology and counseling programs. The school seeks to ensure that its students gain credentials and discipline-specific training relevant to their field. Likewise, SPC’s programs uniquely emphasize Christian values and the restoration of relationships.

According the Hathaway, one of the strengths of school lies in its faculty, which is made up of professional clinicians, researchers and educators who are dedicated to excellence in the lives of the students they teach. Faculty members, often partnering with students, make national and international presentations, participate in conferences, and contribute to hundreds of peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and other scholarly works. They serve as clinical supervisors and mentors who are invested in the overall academic, professional and personal development of those they teach.

The School of Psychology & Counseling was founded in 1988. Regent’s Psy.D. program first received APA accreditation in 2002. The next reaffirmation for the university will take place in 2029. Today, nearly 900 students are enrolled in SPC, with just over 100 pursuing their Psy.D. degree.

The Commission on Accreditation (CoA) of the American Psychological Association (APA), accredits the doctoral program in clinical psychology of the School of Psychology & Counseling. Phone: 202.336.5979, Mailing Address: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242.