The American Psychological Association (APA) has granted the maximum 10-year reaccreditation to the Clinical Internship Consortium of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (ECCN) at Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU).
“Receiving the highest reaccreditation period awarded by the APA validates the ongoing efforts of our faculty, students, and partner institutions,” said Dr. Yaritza López, Dean of PHSU’s School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences. “This is a meaningful milestone that coincides with the School’s 25th anniversary and reinforces our commitment to rigorous training in the behavioral health field.”
Dr. López explained that the predoctoral internship, an integral component of the ECCN, represents a culminating stage in the training of future clinical psychologists. “Through the Consortium, interns solidify their professional identity by integrating theory and practice acquired throughout their doctoral studies, delivering evidence-based assessment, intervention, and consultation services to diverse populations in Puerto Rico. During this training, they not only strengthen their clinical competencies but also contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing and operations of participating institutions, addressing the most urgent behavioral health needs of the communities they serve.”
The Consortium includes multiple affiliated clinical settings and a specialized faculty in Clinical and Health Psychology. It is the only program in Puerto Rico that offers hospital-based training in clinical neuropsychology. Practice areas range from primary care to specialized mental health services for adults, children, and neurodivergent populations. “One of its cornerstones is the Ponce Autism Center, where interns gain experience in evaluating and treating children on the autism spectrum and supporting their families—responding to a critical need for specialized care on the island,” Dr. López emphasized.
The Clinical Internship Consortium is one of several academic offerings under ECCN, which also includes APA-accredited Doctoral programs in Clinical Psychology (PsyD and PhD). The PsyD program is also available at PHSU’s San Juan Center and St. Louis, MO campus. The School additionally offers a Master’s in School Psychology at both Puerto Rico campuses, and two hybrid professional certificates approved by the Puerto Rico Board of Postsecondary Institutions (JIP): the Certificate in the Neuroscience of Learning and the Certificate in Couples and Family Therapy.
For more information on ECCN programs, visit:
https://phsu.edu/academics/schools/behavioral-and-brain.php