Petition to Congress and U.S. Representatives Urging our Leaders to help stop discrimination toward Veterans and their spouses who are online learners who have been awarded federally funded monies and are not being permitted to practice in certain States because of a lack of an American Psychological Association (APA) stamp of approval.
Petition to Congress and U.S. Representatives Urging our Leaders to help stop discrimination toward Veterans and their spouses who are online learners who have been awarded federally funded monies and are not being permitted to practice in certain States because of a lack of an American Psychological Association (APA) stamp of approval.
As you may perhaps know, there are a number of regionally accredited institutions who do not have an approval from APA but whom seek and accommodate military personnel on United States bases a board and abroad . The United States military has openly promoted educational opportunity for our troops through inviting regionally accredited institutions willing and waiting to help promote education to those who serve our country as well as their families. One of the very reasons for promoting these educational opportunities is so our men and women who serve our country who cannot attend a traditional brick and mortar school setting can still obtain a highly qualified regionally accredited degree while continuing service to our country.
Upon exiting the military, several veterans have attempted to seek employment within the Veterans Administration. However, they have been met with unjustifiable opposition and are being denied internships and employment opportunities due to not having an %u201Cacceptable%u201D degree from an %u201Cacceptable%u201D institution.
Veteran hospitals across the country has continuously denied qualified applicants for internships and employment opportunities based on the insufficient fact that these regionally accredited degree programs do not also include a second stamp of approval from the American Psychological Association. The question(s) linger, What purpose does a regional accreditation serve? Are all colleges and universities programs across the country being watched by another alliance? Also, why offer federal financial aid (FAFSA) to these institutions if graduates are not going to be able to obtain internships let alone employment to pay back government back loans?
One regionally accredited university worth mentioning is Walden University. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association,www.ncahlc.org; 1-312-263-0456. The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Students in such institutions are able obtain federally funded financial aide. When evaluating credentials, employers and universities often look for applicants who earned their degree from an accredited university. Walden University has been around since 1974. They have opened the doors for many individuals, especially military personnel, physically challenged persons, women and other minorities. Walden offers PhD clinical and counseling psychology degrees that mirror or exceed APA standards. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs continuously denies these academic professionals the opportunity to be employed and help our Veterans and serve in their communities.
The Veterans Affairs is one of the only Federal agencies who is employing this nature of discrimination. We are demanding that all State Licensing Boards and employers lift this restriction to help promote and foster social change! We are requesting that you as an elected official assist in this matter.
