Frequently Asked Questions for Programs
Program FAQs
- What if we have students who graduate before the program becomes accredited?
- How long does the accreditation process take?
- What do I need to do to host a site visit?
What if we have students who graduate before the program becomes accredited?
CACREP policy states that accreditation can be applied retroactively to any graduates of the program for twelve (12) months prior to the decision date. These graduates, however, must have met all of the requirements of the program that was granted accreditation.
CACREP strongly encourages programs to be honest and upfront with sudents about the timelines and where you are in the application process.
How long does the accreditation process take?
How long the self-study process takes is up to the institution. Some have completed their applications and sent them to CACREP within a year, and others have taken nearly a decade to get the program in line with CACREP's requirements.
Once the self-study arrives in our office,it can take up to 24 month for a final Board decision. The length of time depends on factors such as whether an addendum is required, how quickly a site visit can be arranged and the timing of the Board meetings.
What do I need to do to host a site visit?
When CACREP notifies you of your team, you should send out the self-studies and addenda to the team members right away. Then, you will work with the Team Chair to set up an agenda for the visit. We do ask that you also make hotel arrangements for the team, although the cost will be covered by CACREP. See the list of CACREP Liaison Responsibilities in the Team Member Handbook.