Action | Requirement for CACREP accreditation for educational programs |
Stage | NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 7/1/2015 |
The program at Boston University’s School of Education that I direct educates Master’s level mental health counselors. Our program is national in scope with our graduates practicing throughout the United States. I am writing in response to a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action in Virginia. Based on my belief in multiple paths to licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), I strongly oppose any regulatory change in Virginia that would limit LPC licensure to graduates of master’s programs accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). My stance is neither anti-CACREP nor is it anti-accreditation. There are many fine programs across the country, whose universities are regionally accredited, that have been training licensed mental health counselors for decades in accordance with state licensure regulations that choose not to pursue CACREP accreditation. The field benefits from graduates of diverse programs, benefits from multiple paths to licensure, and benefits from inclusivity of graduates from programs accredited by CACREP as well programs that are not affiliated with CACREP. My perspective on the proposed regulatory change is shaped by the following rationale:
Please oppose this petition and work to make Virginia Counseling licensure inclusive for all counselors who meet the educational coursework completion standards, national testing and experience requirements for counseling.
Sincerely yours,
David P. McAllister, MS, LMHC, MaCCS
Director - Ed.M. in Counseling Program
Boston University School of Education