Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Earns CACREP Reaccreditation
Colorado Christian University is pleased to announce that the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has granted reaccreditation to the University's Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree for an additional eight years.
As the only accrediting body for counseling programs in the United States, CACREP streamlines the licensure application process and is recognized in all 50 states. Research shows that CACREP graduates typically perform better on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure Certification. Students going on to doctoral studies will also have easier paths into the school of their choice — most doctoral programs have strong preferences toward students who graduated from a CACREP accredited program.
"This second consecutive eight-year reaccreditation is a strong endorsement for the high quality of our Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and the dedication and effectiveness of our faculty and program administration," said Dr. Sarah Scherling, vice president of Academic Affairs in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies.
"This is a tremendous achievement for CCU — not many universities receive the full eight-year reaccreditation," Scherling stressed. "It's a strong reaffirmation that we have been and are on the right track by providing the unique opportunity to integrate Christian faith and sound clinical mental health counseling principles."
In total, the reaccreditation process took more than two years from start to finish; during this time, CCU's counseling program grew by over 30%. Academic content, program outcomes, and various stakeholders were assessed, and faculty and administrators provided a 1,200-page evidence report, highlighting the fulfillment of the 177 standards required by CACREP as part of the accreditation process. The CACREP committee met with program administration, program faculty and support staff, current students, alumni, affiliate faculty, and site supervisors during the site visit to campus.
The CACREP committee remarked upon their exit interview, "The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at CCU is a mission-driven program that successfully provides a Christ-focused framework reflecting the platinum rule for enhancing specific cultural competencies skills in the application of spirituality to the process of counseling."
"At CCU, we are committed to being the premier faith-based, clinical mental health counseling program in the United States," said Dr. Ryan Burkhart, program director and professor. "We are excited to continue building upon our outstanding program over the next eight-year CACREP accreditation cycle. This reaccreditation affirms our faculty's commitment to our students, the mental health profession, and the restorative mission of Jesus Christ. I am honored to work alongside such incredible faculty, support staff members, administrators, and students."
The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program offered through CCU's College of Adult and Graduate Studies combines rigorous coursework, experiential learning, and mentoring relationships designed to equip students to become culturally responsive professional counselors. A distinguishing feature of the master's degree in counseling program is the Christian framework that encompasses every aspect of the curriculum. The program is offered in-seat and online. Learn more at ccu.edu/counseling.