This accreditation website was created to fulfill the requirements for accreditation by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), which ensures that our program meets the rigorous criteria set forth by the Council for Academic Accreditation (CAA).
Through this website, we demonstrate how our Master Science in Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) program aligns with the six accreditation standards and sub-standards outlined by ASHA/CAA. Our program processes and evidence for each of the standards described below are supported by evidence/narratives that demonstrate how the standards are met.
Accreditation standards:
- Standard 1.0: Administrative Structure and Governance
- Standard 2.0: Faculty
- Standard 3.0B: Curriculum (Academic and Clinical Education) in Speech-Language Pathology
- Standard 4.0: Students
- Standard 5.0: Assessment
- Standard 6.0: Program Resources
Accreditation bodies
The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is responsible for accrediting graduate programs that train students to become speech-language pathologists. The CAA operates independently to establish and enforce standards, as well as to grant accreditation.
Benefits of accreditation
Accredited programs in speech-language pathology are thoroughly evaluated to ensure they meet professional standards. Prospective students can easily identify which education programs align with the rigorous standards of their chosen profession, providing them with the confidence that they will receive a high-quality education. Accreditation assures students that the graduate education program will adequately prepare them for their professions. For instance, the ASHA Standards and Implementation Procedures for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech-language pathology require applicants to have a graduate degree from a CAA-accredited program, fulfilling the CCC's academic and clinical practicum requirements. Graduates from CAA-accredited programs are also prepared to meet state licensing and/or teacher certification requirements if these components are part of the program goals.