Thread: The Oregon ODA

I was browsing the Oregon's ODA site. I was looking over the list of unaccredited schools' degrees that are "legal " to use for employment in Oregon. I noticed that the ODA's list states that the Professional School of Psychology in CA degrees (I am assuming all of that schools degrees) are legit for use in that state and that only the PhD in Psychology from California Southern University is accepted. I read over the PSCP's authority to grant degrees in CA & spill on accreditation and California Southern U's authority to grant degrees in CA. Both schools are approved by the BBS and the BOP for licensure as MFT and Psychologist in CA. My questions are, "Why does the ODA limit one schools degrees and not the other in the same program area - psychology ?" and "if a school's Ph D program is deemed acceptable, wouldn't you think the other degrees such as the Masters in psych and the Psy D would be just as credible?" I just find this interesting and wondering if there is a bias going on here. And yes, I do have an interest in California Southern University. Thanks in advance for helping me understand this curious issue.

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My questions are, "Why does the ODA limit one schools degrees and not the other in the same program area - psychology?" and "if a school's Ph D program is deemed acceptable, wouldn't you think the other degrees such as the Masters in psych and the Psy D would be just as credible?"

The Oregon ODA apparently reviews and approves unaccredited degrees on a "degree title" basis. Since the PhD, MS, and PsyD are all separate "degree titles", each one would have to be reviewed and approved separately.

In this sense, ODA is more like a professional accreditor than a regional or national accreditor. An RA or NA agency grants approval to an entire institution. In contrast, a PA agency (like ABET or ABA) only grants approval to specific degree programs at a specific institution (e.g. the BS in Mechanical Engineering , or the JD).

The fees for each ODA "degree title" review are not trivial, especially at the doctoral level. Given the financial considerations, it seems possible that some schools may have chosen to pursue ODA approval for some of their degree titles, but not others.

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Thank Caldog. This helps me understand their process a little better.

Originally Posted by CalDog

In this sense, ODA is more like a professional accreditor than a regional or national accreditor. An RA or NA agency grants approval to an entire institution. In contrast, a PA agency (like ABET or ABA) only grants approval to specific degree programs at a specific institution (e.g. the BS in Mechanical Engineering, or the JD).

Only in the sense of reviewing and approving the degree for use, which is far from the accreditation process. I think that is what you are saying but I wanted to clarify.