The American Psychology Association (APA) has officially granted Louisiana Tech University’s Ph.D. program in counseling psychology full reaccreditation through 2013. Considered the gold standard of accreditation in professional psychology, APA accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental process of self-study and external review intended to evaluate, enhance, and publicly recognize quality in institutions and in programs of higher education. “Accreditation represents a commitment of the faculty within our department to uphold the high standards set by APA in training students,” said Dr. Tilman Sheets, associate professor and chair of the Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences at Louisiana Tech.  “In addition, I am immensely impressed by the dedication of all those involved and have witnessed the huge amount of time, personal effort, support, and resources involved in this endeavor.” Louisiana Tech doctoral counseling psychology program, offered through the College of Education, has been continuously accredited by the APA since its first review in 2002. The APA’s accreditation review process consists of a self-study, a site visit, and a formal decision by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation.  The process takes about 18 months from the time a program submits a self-study until the Commission reaches a decision. The program embraces the scientist-practitioner model, which emphasizes the complementary value of research and professional practice.  Its primary goal is to produce professional psychologists who are competent in professional practice, research, and university teaching.  Students must successfully complete a four-year residential program followed by a one-year, 2000 clock-hour pre-doctoral professional internship. “Continued accreditation provides our current and future students the assurance that the program offers quality training and is continuously improving,” said Dr. Donna Thomas, director of the counseling psychology Ph.D. program at Louisiana Tech.  “APA’s endorsement gives students a strong sense of trust in our professional psychology program.” In her reaccreditation letter to Louisiana Tech President Dan Reneau, Dr. Susan Zlotlow, director of the APA’s Office of Program Consultation, offered congratulations to faculty and students of Louisiana Tech’s professional psychology program for their achievements. “The Commission also expresses its appreciation for your personal commitment, and the corresponding support of your administration, to develop and maintain the best possible quality of graduate education and training in psychology,” added Zlotlow.  “The program exhibits a noteworthy strength in its efforts to recognize and respond to human rights of students and faculty.”