CACREP FAQ

What is CACREP?
Founded in 1981, CACREP is the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. CACREP is a specialized accreditor for master’s and doctoral counseling degree programs, and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a national advocate and institutional voice for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation. For more information, go to  https://www.cacrep.org .

When was the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program granted accreditation?
The Board of Directors of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) met July 8-10, 2021, for the purpose of making accreditation decisions. A counseling specialty area, housed in the College of Psychology at Nova Southeastern University, was reviewed under the 2016 CACREP Standards. The Board made the following decision:

• Program: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S. degree)
• Delivery sites: Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus, Miami Regional Campus, Orlando Regional Campus, Palm Beach Regional Campus, Tampa Regional Campus
• Delivery Methods: Traditional on-campus (Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus), Weekend Intensive hybrid format (regional campuses), and Online delivery
• Accredited: Cycle End Date October 31, 2029

What are the benefits of pursuing a CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling program?

• “CACREP accreditation provides recognition that the content and quality of the program has been evaluated and meets standards set by the profession. The student, as a consumer, can be assured that appropriate knowledge and skill areas are included and that the program is stable, professionally and financially.”  https://www.cacrep.org/for-students/why-should-i-choose-an-accredited-program/
• Some employers require graduation from a CACREP accredited program (i.e.,  Department of Veteran’s Affairs ) for employment.
• Some states require graduation from a CACREP accredited program in order to be eligible for licensure. You can look up state licensing boards here to check the requirements of your state:  https://www.nbcc.org/directory . After January 1, 2024, individuals applying for the National Certified Counselor  https://www.nbcc.org/  (NCC) credential must have graduated from a CACREP-accredited program.
• Prospective students are encouraged to contact the National Board for Certified Counselors ( NBCC ) for more information on how to apply for this credential. 

If I am admitted, what are the requirements for being able to enroll in an accredited program?
Space in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) concentration is limited. Therefore, if you are admitted, you must monitor your email closely for registration instructions. Failure to do so may jeopardize your ability to enroll in the program or to enroll at your desired start date. 

What are the benefits of pursuing a CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling program?

• “CACREP accreditation provides recognition that the content and quality of the program has been evaluated and meets standards set by the profession. The student, as a consumer, can be assured that appropriate knowledge and skill areas are included and that the program is stable, professionally and financially.”  https://www.cacrep.org/for-students/why-should-i-choose-an-accredited-program/
• Some employers require graduation from a CACREP accredited program (i.e.,  Department of Veteran’s Affairs ) for employment.
• Some states require a CACREP-accredited degree in order to be eligible for licensure. You are encouraged to review your state's licensing boards requirements at  https://www.nbcc.org/directory . After January 1, 2024, individuals applying for the  National Certified Counselor  (NCC) credential must have graduated from a CACREP-accredited program.

What does enrollment in an accredited program require?
Students in the CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) concentration must fully comply with program policies and procedures, including essential accreditation-related student learning assessments (i.e., KPI assignments, Assessment of Student Dispositions), practicum and internship assessments and requirements, and program evaluation procedures. Current students should also utilize academic and faculty advising and must fully participate in the CMHC Student Annual Review each Winter semester.

When did the NSU Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration earn CACREP-accreditation?
The Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is the accrediting body of counselor education programs in the United States. It formulates and monitors the accreditation standards for CACREP-accredited programs. NSU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program was granted initial CACREP-accreditation in July 2021.

I am a graduate of the NSU program, does that mean that my degree is CACREP-accredited?
Based on the accreditation decision from CACREP, NSU students who graduated from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program on or after January 10, 2019 are considered graduates of a CACREP-accredited specialty area.

My degree is not CACREP-accredited, what are my options?
If you graduated from NSU’s non-CACREP accredited Mental Health Counseling program, you are fully-eligible for licensure as an  LMHC in Florida . Please note that in 2025, the Florida state statute will change to require a CACREP-accredited degree program. You can look up any state’s licensure and reciprocity requirements here:  https://www.nbcc.org/directory

Since my degree is not CACREP-accredited, are there any courses or continuing education classes that I can take to convert my degree?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Per the  CACREP website , while an individual may be a graduate of a CACREP-accredited program, CACREP accredits programs not people. There is no separate process by which an individual who did not attend a CACREP-accredited program can become a graduate of a CACREP- accredited program, other than by completing a CACREP-accredited program.