The CACREP movement has boasted nationwide to those outside (and inside) the counseling field, that schools who purchase CACREP credentials, are now in possession of the "gold standard" of counseling education. Historically, CACREP served as an advocate for small brick and mortar colleges and online schools that generally were not on the radar for people who sought larger, well-known universities to complete studies, Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins, large state universities did not need advocacy to woo students.  The “Gold standard” self-assessment, as a marketing ploy has been a large success.  This is not to malign my CACREP graduate brothers and sisters.  This is to call to attention the lack of counseling ethics involved in promoting the program.  CACREP has for its graduates, addressed a gap in support that Regionally Accredited Schools had refused to address, which lead to an irritating inconvenience for new graduates. This is a reason I have a large FB/LinkedIn that six years ago, served to address this gap of post-graduation institutional support.  CACREP improved their marketing by addressing that gap in support.  This addressing the gap is not an “academic gold standard.”

The military partnered with CACREP and utilized strategies to promote CACREPs lesser known academies. In fact, one job announcement for the Veterans Department stated that only those whom have graduated from CACREP schools-and those eligible to graduate within 2 years from a CACREP accredited school were eligible to apply for a Counseling career ladder position. This excluded experienced counselors who would have graduated prior to CACREP going mainstream, approximately 6 years ago.   There are testimonials from experienced counselors, veterans, who have been demoted in their counseling positions at the Vet, as a result of the CACREP “gold standard” debacle.  It is an extraordinarily sad day, when our nations heroes are suffering due to lack of adequate providers in their communities, are also unwittingly losing access to experienced providers by those who lack understanding in how CACREP marketing is creating a false expectation of superior service.  I support Regionally Accredited graduates and CACREP students. I firmly believe that new graduates are ALL in the same boat, struggling to find life balance, trying to figure out how to pass the difficult examinations. 

There is no evidence to support that CACREP graduated students are more prepared than students from regionally accredited universities.  In fact, without experience in the field (CACREP permits students to surpass crucial internship/practicum experiences-due their “gold standardness,” that regionally accredited schools mandate).  From students’ perspective…not having to complete months of both internship/practicum is a great sell, counseling students are normally cash strapped, from the perspective of missing out on gaining much needed hands-on experience in the field, prior to graduation, especially in nurturing multicultural expertise, this CACREP “perk” is ill advised. Another “perk” is the ability to take the licensing exam prior in the last semester prior to graduation from college. Regardless of taking “advantage” of this perk (?)….there is no published evidence that supports pre-graduation opportunity to take the exam, is associated with preparedness of individuals to pass the exam, or increased levels of passing of the exam due to CACREP attendance.  The touted “gold standard” does not hold into account, individual test anxiety, insufficient time to study, work/life/school demands, and not being prepared, which all test-takers face, regardless of Regionally Accredited Institution graduate or CACREP graduate, each person’s experience will be vastly different.

Currently, people are terrified that CACREP who in the past, refused to interact with non CACREP providers, and organizations who questioned “gold standardness,” but effectively has used Napoleon Complex-like actions in the counseling field to bully  larger fish, and infiltrate organizations whom used to support counselors of diverse academic backgrounds – whom graduate from regionally accredited institutions, whom adhere to our counseling field organizational ethics, pay dues to our counseling associations, engage in pre-graduation internships and practicums,  pass licensing board examinations (2-3 in most states), gain 40 credits of continuous education every 2 years, and meet other state board requirements).  This ongoing work is what makes a career counselor.      

Several years ago, as an Academic Adviser to undergraduate business students at Penn State, Advisers informed students that their Penn State education may gain some listeners for the first 3 years, but after that it is all about experience gained.  Please do not block experienced Counselors from providing services to our communities.   

Lauren Dornell Neal, LPC, LCAS