The Step-by-Step CASCE Accreditation Process

First, programs must complete the following steps to ensure your program is ready to apply:

• 1. Guide to Accreditation: Review the Guide to Accreditation document to gain an understanding of the policies, procedures, and general timelines associated with the full accreditation process.
  2. Professional Standards and Guidelines: Examine the Professional Standards and Guidelines document that outlines the standards your program must meet to become accredited. 
  3. Program Readiness Tool: Use the Program Readiness Tool to conduct a self-assessment of your program by reviewing the standards and narratives/documentation required for compliance. 
  4. Get Started Quiz: Take the 5-minute Get Started Quiz to see where your program stands on key CASCE requirements and discover common stumbling blocks before applying.

After you’ve confirmed your program is ready to apply, you may begin your digital application. You can save your progress and return later, as well as share access with additional stakeholders in your program. 

Your application helps CASCE confirm that your program has the required foundational pieces in place and intends to move forward in the accreditation process. Applications are ONLY accepted from October 1 through December 1 annually.

Applications submitted prior to October 1 or after December 1 will not be accepted. 

All applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $1,000 application fee (current ERP programs pay $500) that will be invoiced once their application is evaluated and approved.

Undergraduate and graduate programs at the same institution are evaluated and accredited separately, and each program requires individual applications and accreditation fees.

Once your application is approved and we receive your application fee, you will gain access to the Accreditation Portal to begin your Self-Study. Your Self-Study is a self-reflection of your program’s strengths and weaknesses and determines the extent to which your program complies with established CASCE Professional Standards and Guidelines. Self-Studies are completed over the course of an academic year and include input from faculty, administrators, field experience supervisors, and current students.

Self-Studies are due on October 1 each year.

If your program chooses to defer submission of your Self-Study to the next year, an additional fee will be charged.

As soon as your Self-Study is submitted, CASCE will assign a three-person Peer Review team to assess your report. Two of your three reviewers will conduct an on-site visit to validate and clarify the contents of your Self-Study. At the end of your visit, your Peer Review team will provide an exit conference—an unofficial verbal report given to faculty and administrators.

After your site visit is complete, your Peer Review team will submit an official written Site Visit Report to CASCE’s Accreditation Review Committee. Once reviewed and approved, you will be sent your Official Site Visit Report.

Once your institution receives your Site Visit Report, you will have 30 days to respond with your official Program Response. If your program is free of non-compliances, you may simply respond that your report is accepted.

If there are non-compliances, your Site Visit Report will provide a detailed description of each instance, including instructions on how to show compliance for each standard. Then, you can include corrections or documentation indicating compliance in your Program Response within the Accreditation Portal.

After the Accreditation Review Committee has received and reviewed your Program Response, any non-compliant standards and responses will be reported to the CASCE Board along with their recommendation regarding accreditation. Then, the CASCE board will make your accreditation decision.

Your institution will be informed of the board’s accreditation decision. If applicable, you will also receive a clear statement of any non-compliance and instructions for a Progress Report to continue your pursuit of accreditation.

The accreditation process takes two years from application to decision.