Seeking MCAC Accreditation

1. Seeking MCAC Accreditation Nadya Fouad & Michael Scheel 2012 Midwinter meeting CCPTP

2. Contact information mpcacsite.org Submit accreditation materials to michaeldandrea@yahoo.com Any inquiries and questions about the accreditation process for MCAC can be directed to Patricia O’Connor, MPCAC Executive Director, at oconnp@sage.edu

3. MCAC Standards (MPCAC Manual; November, 2011) • Standards for Training • Program is identifiable as a counseling or closely related training program. • A mission statement that guides the structure and content of the curriculum and reflects a commitment to evidence supported practice; a commitment to diversity; commitment to cultural competence, human development, strength-based helping strategies, social justice as core values

4. MCAC Standards (cont.) 3) Curriculum, program, policies, and practices should reflect mission statement 4) Program should be the equivalent of at least two academic years of full-time study and a minimum of 48 sem. hours or equivalent quarter hours 5) Demonstrate clearly written public communication of program standards, requirements, and admissions criteria. 6) An annual review of student procedure 7) Entrance requirements reflect agatekeeping role to safeguard the public

5. MCAC Standards (cont.) 8) Evidence of the promotion of competence in the following domains: • Professional counselor identity, ethical behavior, and social justice practices • Human development and wellness across the life span • Neuroscientific, physical, and biological foundations of human development and wellness • Ecological, contextual, multicultural, social justice foundations of human development

6. Domains (cont.) e) Counseling, consultation, and social justice advocacy theories and skills f) Group theory, practice, and social justice advocacy g) Career and life development h) Assessment of human behavior and organizational/community/institutional systems

7. Domains (cont.) i) Tests and measurements j) Traditional and social justice-oriented research and evaluations k) Practicum/internship experiences (at least 2 academic terms of supervised field experiences in mental health, human development, cultural competence, and social justice advocacy (at least 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours per academic term in counseling and/or human service setting with 300 hours of supervised field training). Supervision by an appropriately credentialed professional.

8. MPCAC Accreditation Process • MPCAC accreditation process entails the assessment of a program’s ability to meet standards established by the profession and adopted by each Committee (MCAC & MPAC).

9. The Process • Submission of self-study documenting program’s compliance with the standards • Validation of the submitted documentation by site visitors • Decisions of the committee based on the self-study, site visitor report, institutional response to the site visit report • Submission of interim reports and/or annual continuation reports for periodic review of program compliance with the standards

10. Steps in the accreditation process • Applicants request materials from the MPCAC office (Box 721173, Norman, OK 73070) • Obtain information packet and app for candidacy • Submit either MCAC pre-app for review • MCAC chair notifies applicant of eligibility to apply • Applicants submit 5 copies of all materials required as part of the app for accreditation within 2 years after notification of eligibility; at the tie of submission fees must be paid.

11. Steps (cont.) 6) MCAC conducts internal review of app 7) MCAC notifies applicant of acceptance or of clarification requirements for strengthening the app. 8) MCAC and applicant plan and complete site visit 9) Site visit report forwarded to the program for clarification or errors of fact. 10) MCAC acts on application and notifies the applicant of the exec. Decision 11) Applicant may appeal decision

12. Eligibility requirements • Program located in a psychology, counseling, or counselor education department and supported by the educational institution accredited by regional accrediting bodies. • Program must have students currently enrolled, and at least 4 graduates in the previous two years • Program must comprise 45 semester credits (MCAC req) • MCAC chair reviews the pre-application to determine eligibility

13. Maintenance of accredited status • A continuation report is required with the fee every 4th and 8th anniversary of accreditation • Accreditation is granted by 10, 5, and 2 year periods

14. Application Fees Application fee = $1500 Additional program at application (per program) = $250 Site visitors’ expenses = (per visit) Interim fee (at 4 and 8 years) = $400 Re-accreditation fee = $1500