I am writing in response to the proposed requirement for CACREP or CORE accreditation for educational programs in Virginia. I am a graduate student in the George Mason University Counseling & Development program seeking a degree in School Counseling. I want to very strongly encourage that the Board rejects this proposal.  I am firmly convinced that this regulation that results in an accreditation body dictating state licensure laws regarding training is harmful for university training programs in Virginia and establishes a very dangerous national trend whereby states lose their autonomy to determine criteria for licensure.

It is my strong belief that licensure boards and accreditation bodies should remain independent of each other.  Despite not having CACREP, George Mason University has received the 2013 Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES) Outstanding Master’s Degree Program award and continues to pride itself on training excellent counselors, many of whom are licensed and hold state leadership positions in Virginia.

There are many other universities in similar positions to George Mason University. I and many of my cohort believe that requiring accreditation as part of state licensure policy is highly inappropriate and has serious negative ramifications for both Virginia and the field of counseling.  In fact states such as New Jersey rejected a similar proposal based on the same concerns being voiced in this letter.

In summary I am strongly opposed to this legislation. I and others across the nation are highly concerned about the danger of state licensure boards joining accreditation agencies to formulate policy and regulations.

Sincerely,

Lauren Intili

Graduate Student, Counseling & Development

George Mason University