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Accreditation Milestones

Accreditation Milestones—Chapter I: History of the Accreditation Program


2023 – Revisions to standards, including expansion of expectations for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the curriculum and the removal of employment within one year of graduation, effective January 1

2021 – Revised definition and reporting expectations for distance education

2020 – Revised candidacy notice of intent and application scheduling procedures effective April 2020

2018 – Revised candidacy review procedures effective January 1

2017 – Customer Feedback Survey to all stakeholders, including academic and clinical faculty, fielded for the fourth time (previously fielded in 2007, 2010, 2013)

2017 – New Standards for Accreditation implemented on August 1, 2017; last revised April 1, 2019

2016 – CAA launches new program application and annual report submission system to replace HES

2016 – CAA approves new Standards for Accreditation to take effect August 1, 2017

2015 – CAA commemorates 50th anniversary of the first accreditation decisions with a year-long campaign: 50 Years of Academic Accreditation: Paving the Way for Future Professionals

2009 – Online system (Higher Education Data System – HES) launched for submission of applications and annual reports to CAA

2008 – New Standards for Accreditation implemented—revised 2011, 2013, 2014

2007 – After December 31, 2006, master’s programs in audiology no longer eligible for accreditation

2003 – Site visitor pool expanded to include practitioners on-site visit teams

2001 – Substantive change policy and procedures established to support reviews of distance education programs, satellite/branch campuses and new degree levels

1999 – First set of Standards for Accreditation implemented following CAA’s transition to a semi-autonomous body

1996 – Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) established

1992 – Standards for Accreditation of Educational Programs in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology implemented by ESB

1991 – Candidacy program launched for new, developing programs in anticipation of 1994 eligibility requirement for CCC applicants to have graduated from an accredited program

1983 – Educational Standards Board (ESB) established

1976 – Minimum Requirements for Educational Training Board (ETB) Accreditation took effect July 1

1967 – ASHA’s accrediting body first recognized as an accreditor by U.S. Secretary of Education

1965 – First accreditation statuses awarded

1964 – First requirements & procedures for accreditation established; accreditation program recognized by Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (now Council on Higher Education Accreditation [CHEA])

1959 – American Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology (ABESPA) established

About ASHA

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for members and affiliates who are audiologists, speech-language pathologists, speech, language, and hearing scientists, audiology and speech-language pathology assistants, and students.

Connect With ASHA

About the CAA

The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) accredits eligible clinical doctoral programs in audiology and master's degree programs in speech-language pathology. The CAA relies on a dedicated corps of volunteers serving as Council members and site visitors to accomplish the work of the accreditation program.

Contact the CAA

Questions and/or requests for information about accreditation or the CAA can be directed to:

The Council on Academic Accreditation in
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2200 Research Boulevard, #310
Rockville, MD 20850

800-498-2071

Email the CAA