Why CACREP Accreditation Is Important

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, otherwise known as CACREP, is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 

To obtain accreditation from this body, universities must pass a rigorous evaluation process that ensures their program meets national standards for what is taught in each class, how curricula and internship experiences are created, how the program staff is qualified, and which resources are made available to students. 

All in all, a CACREP-accredited program means the program meets the highest academic and training standards.

In order to become a CACREP-accredited counseling program or CACREP-accredited online counseling program, each degree program must complete and submit a comprehensive self-study report that outlines how it meets CACREP standards. This document is examined during an initial review process and then during a peer review onsite visit. Sometimes, programs will complete an addendum to the self-study, which is also reviewed during this process. Other materials include a report from the onsite review team and the program’s response to the team’s report. All of these materials are reviewed by the CACREP board of directors. 

The board makes a decision after reviewing each of the documents. From there, a program may be asked to submit additional reports that address specific program elements. Programs that do receive accreditation are required to submit a report midway through the accreditation cycle to inform the board of any changes to faculty, curriculum, or operations that may have been made since their initial report was submitted. A full accreditation cycle lasts eight years, so the midway point occurs after four. If significant changes are made before or after the midway point, programs submit those changes for review as they occur. 

The accreditation process generally takes 12 to 18 months but can take up to two years in some situations. The board meets twice a year, in January and July, to make accreditation decisions. 

CACREP accreditation confirms that the content and quality of a given program have been carefully evaluated and meet all of the standards set by the counseling profession. By attending a CACREP-accredited online counseling program or one on campus, students can feel confident that they’re gaining the appropriate skills and experience to enter the field. Students are investing in their careers and futures by attending counseling programs, and CACREP accreditation often confirms the investment is well worth it.

CACREP’s most recent annual report from 2018 [PDF, 7.2 MB]reveals that enrollment in CACREP-accredited master’s programs steadily increased from 2016 to 2018. Total enrollment in 2018 stood at 49,944, up more than 6,000 from 2016.

CACREP warns prospective students about the existence of diploma and accreditation mills that award academic degrees with subpar, limited, or no academic study at all. Attending a CACREP-accredited program shows employers that you received the education and training necessary to be a counselor, rather than being trained under a program that doesn’t align with national standards. 

Other benefits of attending a CACREP-accredited program include:

Additionally, beginning January 2024, individuals applying for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential offered by the National Board of Certified Counselors will need to have a master’s degree or higher from a CACREP-accredited program.

The Family Institute at Northwestern University has a unique mission to train master’s-level students in a clinically focused and psychodynamically oriented model. Its online program, Counseling@Northwestern, represents the highest levels of academic rigor and prepares students for careers in mental health counseling. The program focuses on three core components—self-reflection, a diverse community, and immersion in clinical training—to fully prepare students for careers in the field. The rigorous online program combines face-to-face classes, self-paced weekly coursework, and clinical field placements at Northwestern-approved sites. 

The online and on-campus counseling programs are fully accredited by CACREP and provide the same training and standards in curriculum and clinical practice. Students who complete the online program receive the same diplomas as students who attend the program in person. 

Last updated September 2021.