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Accreditation for psychology and counseling programs

CACREP accreditation for counseling

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits programs in counseling, marriage and family therapy, student affairs and college counseling, addiction counseling, and related fields at master’s and doctoral levels. CACREP accreditation is specifically required for licensure eligibility in a growing number of states for licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical mental health counselors, and related credentials. The CACREP directory at cacrep.org lists accredited programs. Students planning licensed counseling careers should confirm the licensing board requirements in their target state before selecting a program.

The significance of CACREP accreditation has grown substantially over the past decade as more states have adopted CACREP-specific licensure requirements. A counseling program that was adequate for licensure in a student’s target state ten years ago may no longer satisfy that state’s current requirements. Confirming current state licensing board requirements at the time of program selection - not at the time of graduation - is the most reliable approach.

What to verify before enrolling in a counseling program

Students planning counseling careers should take four verification steps before enrolling. First, confirm the licensing requirements in the target state, including whether CACREP accreditation is required for the specific credential sought. Second, confirm whether the specific program holds the required programmatic accreditation by searching the accreditor’s directory - not by relying solely on institutional disclosures. Third, confirm that the university holds recognized institutional accreditation at hlcommission.org and ope.ed.gov/dapip. Fourth, confirm that the program’s curriculum satisfies the state board’s required content areas and practicum hours, which may have requirements beyond what accreditation specifies.

Students planning counseling careers should verify four things before enrolling: the licensing requirements in their target state; whether the specific program holds required programmatic accreditation (confirmed in the accreditor’s directory, not just institutional disclosures); that the university holds recognized institutional accreditation at hlcommission.org and ope.ed.gov/dapip; and that the program’s curriculum satisfies the state board’s required content areas and practicum hours.

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