About CACREP

Understanding Accreditation

TYPES OF ACCREDITATION

It is important to distinguish between the accreditation of programs and the certification of individuals, two separate processes that are frequently referred to as if they are one and the same. On the one hand, accreditation implies the setting of minimal standards which training programs must meet. In order to become accredited, a counselor education program must fulfill certain requirements or standards with regard to institutional settings, program mission and objectives, program content, practicum experiences, student selection and advising, faculty qualifications and workload, program governance, instructional support, and self-evaluation. On the other hand, certification implies recognition that individuals have met minimal professional standards to practice independently as a counselor. In order to be certified, Counselors must meet certain levels of education and training in Counseling, they must follow the code of ethics, and they are held accountable to show competent and ethical performance in practice.

In the United States, there are two types of accreditation – institutional and specialized. Institutional looks at the entire institution. Specialized accreditors, such as CACREP, look at professional preparation programs within institutions.

When programs are reviewed by CACREP, there are a few standards that address issues at the institutional level (such as financial aid), but most of the application and review focus on the program that offers the graduate degree in counseling. It is the degree-specific program that holds accreditation, not the department or college in which it is housed. Eligibility for CACREP includes having institutional accreditation, so the institutional issues such as financial viability and resources are addressed.

Benefits of Accreditation

Why should my program seek accreditation? Click here to learn more.

Value of Accreditation

Accreditation Basics

Accreditation in the United States is a unique peer review system of quality assurance.

For CACREP, this means that programs voluntarily submit a self-study that is reviewed against the CACREP Standards by counselors and counselor educators to ensure that students receive a quality educational experience.

Vision

The vision of CACREP is to provide leadership and to promote excellence in professional preparation through the accreditation of Counseling and related educational programs. As an accrediting body, CACREP is committed to the development of standards and procedures that reflect the needs of a dynamic, diverse, and complex society. CACREP is dedicated to

encouraging and promoting the continuing development and improvement of preparation programs; and
preparing Counseling and related professionals to provide services consistent with the ideal of optimal human development.

CACREP maintains collaborative relationships with other groups that focus on accreditation, licensing, certification, and the professional development of Counselors and related practitioners.

Mission

The mission of CACREP is to promote the professional competence of Counseling and related practitioners through

the development of preparation standards;
the encouragement of excellence in program development; and
the accreditation of professional preparation programs.

Core Values

In March 2002, the CACREP Board of Directors developed this Statement of Core Values to provide additional clarification and support for the existing Mission and Vision statements.

The CACREP Board of Directors believes in

advancing the counseling profession through quality and excellence in counselor education;
ensuring a fair, consistent, and ethical decision-making process;
serving as a responsible leader in protecting the public;
promoting practices that reflect openness to growth, change and collaboration; and,
creating and strengthening standards that reflect the needs of society, respect the diversity of instructional approaches and strategies, and encourage program improvement and best practices

CHEA Recognition

CACREP has been recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, a national advocate and institutional voice for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation. CHEA is an association of 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities and recognizes 60 institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations. CHEA recognition provides assurance to the public and higher education institutions that CACREP is a legitimate accreditor with authority granted by a regulating body who has reviewed the standards, processes, and policies of CACREP. CHEA recognition also assures the public that the programs that achieve CACREP accreditation are legitimate degree programs. Both CHEA and CACREP assist the public in avoiding spending money on illegitimate degrees promoted by degree mills and accreditation mills.

CACREP's Scope of Accreditation

CACREP accredits master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling and its specialties that are offered by colleges and universities in the United States and throughout the world.

Visit CHEA

Board Chair

Sonja Sutherland

Board term: 7/1/2022-6/30/2027
Faculty at Adams State University

Vice Chair

Kyla Marie Kurian

Board term: 7/1/2022-6/30/2027
Faculty at North Carolina Central University

Treasurer

Kent Provost

Board Term: 7/1/2021-6/30/2027
Faculty at Governor's State University

Matthew Bonner

Board Term: 7/1/2024-6/30/2029
Faculty at Johns Hopkins University

Carlos Del Rio

Board Term: 7/1/2023- 6/30/2028
Faculty Member, Grand Canyon University

Susan Foster

Board Term: 7/1/2024-6/30/2029
Faculty at The Chicago School

Amy King

Board Term: 7/1/2024-6/30/2029
Administration at West Coast University

Keith Klostermann

Board Term: 7/1/2021- 6/30/2026
Faculty at Walden University

Aaron Mertes

Board Term: 7/1/2023-6/30/2028
Faculty at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Marianne Schimelfenig

Board Term: 7/1/2021-6/30/2026
Public Member

Mark Gillen

7/1/2025-6/30/2030
Emeritus Faculty

John Steward

Board Term: 7/1/2023-6/30/2028
Practitioner Member

Natasha Barnes-Gwynn

Board Term: 7/1/2025-6/30/2030
Faculty at Southern New Hampshire University

Jay Tift

Board Term: 7/1/2022-6/30/2027
Practitioner Member

Selin Philip

Board Term: 7/1/2025-6/30/2030
Faculty at Colorado Christian University

International Registry of Counsellor Education Programs

The International Registry of Counsellor Education Programs (IRCEP) is an International Affiliate of CACREP. IRCEP serves as the international quality assurance agency to foster excellence in the education and training of professional counsellors worldwide. Global counselor education programs that are granted approval are recognized on the IRCEP Registry.

IRCEP Website

Publications

CACREP Flyer

CACREP has developed a 1-page flyer for anyone to use in advocacy efforts, such as with administrators, state legislators, and others.

A Guide to Graduate Programs in Counseling

Written for undergraduate students and other prospective counselors, A Guide to Graduate Programs in Counseling is the first of its kind to create a comprehensive, reliable means of learning about the Counseling profession, entry level preparation (i.e., master’s degrees in Counseling specializations), and what to consider when searching for, applying to, and ultimately selecting a graduate program in Counseling that is the “perfect fit.”

CACREP Connection

CACREP publishes an e-newsletter called CACREP Connection, which is designed to keep programs informed of the latest news regarding CACREP Accreditation, Initiatives, Policies and Standards.

CACREP Annual Report and Vital Statistics

CACREP publishes an annual report summarizing CACREP initiatives and activities over the year as well as reporting data on accredited programs and students.

Articles About CACREP

These articles were originally published in Counseling Today, the monthly magazine of the American Counseling Association (counseling.org). Click here to read more.

Martin Ritchie Award for Excellence in Advocacy

CACREP’s Martin Ritchie Award for Excellence in Advocacy recognizes individuals who engage in superlative advocacy efforts on behalf of CACREP and its vision, mission, and values, which ultimately serve to advance the Counseling profession through quality and excellence in Counselor Education.

The Carol Bobby Pioneer Award for Visionary Leadership

As a reflection of her career defined by visionary leadership and commitment to students, the purpose of CACREP’s Carol Bobby Pioneer Award for Visionary Leadership is to celebrate a doctoral student in a CACREP-accredited Counselor Education and supervision program who embodies visionary leadership aligned with CACREP’s core values.

Previous Decision Announcements

Announcements of previous accreditation decisions are listed below: