No. While most accreditors grant accreditation prior to program starts, CACREP requires evidence that the program and its students meet specific requirements during the accreditation process. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is CACREP-aligned and the program will submit its CACREP self-study once the first group of students enters fieldwork in accordance with CACREP procedures. The self-study is the first step toward the formal pursuit of CACREP accreditation.
According to CACREP, “students in a program seeking accreditation shall be considered graduates of a CACREP program if they receive their degree within eighteen (18) months prior to when accreditation is conferred, and if the program can verify that the student completed the CACREP program requirements” (CACREP Policies Governing Recognition of Graduates 5.a.).