I graduated from a graduate counseling program, and earned an Education Specialist Degree in counseling.  I was not given a CACREP standing, because my university only paid CACREP to qualify their Masters-level program, but not their EdS graduates (who had attained a more advanced level or degree).  I took many more classes than the Masters-level students, and sat in the same classes as they did, but on graduation day they got a CACREP degree, and I didn't.  CACREP does nothing more than seek to create an entity that will dictate a much more narrow approach to mental health.  I shun it.  I believe it is the wrong approach to take.  My hope is that the CACREP bandwagon will stop rolling in Virginia, and will be stopped in its tracks all across the country.