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The graduate clinical psychology program at the University of Toledo had been under consideration for probation, which would have resulted in a review of the program and a potential loss of accreditation. The program has since turned in a “show cause” letter, and is no longer being considered for probation.

The graduate clinical psychology program is no longer in danger of losing its American Psychiatric Association accreditation.

“At its meeting on April 6, 2014 the APA Commission on Accreditation voted to approve continued accreditation of the clinical PhD program at the University of Toledo, with the next site visit scheduled 3 years from the date of the program’s last site visit,” the official APA report states. “The 3 year decision is based on the CoA’s professional judgment that program resource concerns, instability and/or serious deficiencies remain, but can be corrected in the near future (minor deficiencies typically addressed in the next self-study).”

The psychology department had until February 2014 to submit reasoning to the APA as to why the program should not be put on probation.

“The accreditation was actually never really in question,” said John McSweeny, director of clinical training and interim chair of the psychology department. “What was in question was whether or not we would go on probation, which would be reviewed in order to keep our accreditation.”

Much of the problem was caused by fighting amongst staff members, which caused rising tensions that were tangible to the students. The result was an uncomfortable learning environment, which was what the APA was concerned about.

“Much of the infighting was caused by differences in ideas, as well as personal conflict,” McSweeny said.

The APA issued a “show cause” letter to the psychology department.

“We were given a deadline,” McSweeny said. “We were to submit a letter by Feb. 15 of this year to show cause as to why we should not be put on probation.”

Many of the changes made to the program included uniting student learning tracks, recruiting additional faculty members,  and moving an outside faculty member to the counseling center.

“It is much more of a unified program,” McSweeny said. “It does not mean people do not disagree with each other, but they understand these agreements need to be civil and not on a personal basis.”