Which standard must a doctoral degree in psychology meet within a year of award?

A doctoral degree in psychology must be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), or it must meet equivalent standards recognized by the regulatory bodies. This ensures that the program adheres to high educational standards and adequately prepares graduates for professional practice.

Accreditation by these associations reflects the program's commitment to maintaining quality education and training in psychology, which is critical for ensuring that graduates are competent and prepared to provide psychological services in various settings.

To clarify the relevance of the other options: while state regulations may play a role in determining licensing requirements, they do not define the standards that a doctoral program must meet immediately upon graduation. Similarly, the requirement for a research thesis, while often an integral part of doctoral programs in psychology, is not uniformly mandated across all accredited programs. Therefore, the emphasis on accreditation by recognized institutions or equivalent standards directly aligns with the expectations set for doctoral candidates in psychology.