Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree program earns accreditation

This accreditation is a mark of excellence that affirms the CSC program teaches the necessary knowledge and skills, and that it is both stable and well-supported financially and professionally, according to the CACREP website.

By attaining CACREP accreditation, CSC President Ron K. Patterson wrote in a message to campus that the Counseling program has demonstrated its commitment to enhancing the educational effectiveness of its Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. The accreditation also benefits CSC graduates by simplifying state licensure processes and opening additional career opportunities. For example, it enables alumni to work at Veteran’s Administrations, bill Tricare, and become Fully Functioning Army Substance Abuse Program Practitioners.

Patterson thanked Dr. Katy Woods, Counselor Education department chair, and Dr. Tara Wilson, CACREP liaison, along with past and current faculty and staff who helped achieve the goal.

“Overall, achieving CACREP accreditation is a crucial milestone in our efforts to attract and retain students, while also broadening the horizons for our graduates. Chadron State College would like to thank the Counselor Education department for their strong efforts in securing the CACREP accreditation for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program,” Patterson said.

The CACREP accreditation team visited campus to conduct its formal review Oct. 23-25, 2023. The accreditation is effective until March 31, 2032.

CSC’s other specialized accreditations include the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE), and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).