Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

This qualitative investigation examined counselor educators’ perceptions of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Specifically, this study investigated the barriers for seeking, maintaining, or achieving CACREP accreditation. For this study, the researchers used in-depth, individual interviews and biographical questionnaires, and the sample comprised 14 HBCU counselor educators at both CACREP-accredited and non–CACREP-accredited institutions. The three major themes that emerged from participant responses were (a) resources needed to obtain and maintain CACREP accreditation; (b) multiple interpretations of requirements; (c) validation received from being CACREP accredited. Practical applications and recommendations for future research are offered.