The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) was formed in 1981. Often, as with CACREP, the specialized accrediting bodies have been organized by professional associations.
The history of commitment to accreditation has been long and substantive by the American Counseling Association (ACA) and its respective divisions. Accreditation is viewed as a means of proactively strengthening our profession. 
Formed as a corporate affiliate of ACA, CACREP's mission coincides with that of ACA -- to promote the advancement of quality educational program offerings.
In the United States, both the process and the condition of accreditation have a unique structure since accreditation is extended through non governmental, voluntary institutional agencies or professional associations. Therefore, the criteria for evaluation utilized by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) are the result of extensive input from educators, practitioners, and the public-at-large.
In just six years, CACREP obtained recognition as a specialized accrediting body by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA). This recognition provides a similar credential to the public that our standards and procedures have undergone a similar assessment process by an outside body, which has recognized our commitment to educational quality. Although COPA no longer exists as an agency, the recognition function begun by COPA has been continued by its member accrediting organizations through new channels.
Schools with programs accredited by CACREP have accepted their responsibility to provide quality training programs. Accreditation is a powerful tool for self-evaluation and improvement. The Council remains responsive to the changing needs of society and those persons serving as counselors. CACREP accredited programs are encouraged to make continual evaluations and revisions to remain current.
