The CAA has adopted Standards for Accreditation as necessary conditions for accreditation of eligible graduate education programs. Compliance with all standards represents the minimum requirement for accreditation, regardless of mode of delivery, including distance education. All CAA reviews and decisions, including candidacy, are based on the program’s compliance with the CAA’s Standards for Accreditation.
The CAA implemented revised Standards for Accreditation of Graduate Education Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology on August 1, 2017.
Additional modifications went into effect on August 1, 2020 for the Requirements for Review for Standards 1.8 (Equitable Treatment), 1.9 (Public Information), and 4.10 (Verification of Student Identity for Distance Education). Please review the changes and rationale in the August 2020 side-by-side document [PDF].
The CAA appreciates the feedback provided during the two rounds of peer review for the proposed edits to standards during 2020–2021. The CAA reviewed all comments and suggestions, and approved final edits at its meetings in February and July 2021. The revised standards will go into effect on January 1, 2023; view the side-by-side comparison [PDF].
The CAA approved revisions to the following standards: 1.1 (Institutional Accreditation), 1.9 (Public Information), 3.1A (Audiology Curriculum), 3.1B (Speech-Language Pathology Curriculum), 3.4A/3.4B (Diversity Reflected in the Curriculum), 3.8A/3.8B (Clinical Education-Client Welfare), 5.2 (Program Assessment of Students), 5.7 (Employment Rate) and 5.8 (Analysis of Student Outcome Measures). The CAA streamlined the Professional Practice Competencies listed under Standard 3.1A and Standard 3.1B.
All revisions will be reflected in forms and materials and will be released as soon as they are available.
Programs are expected to continue to comply with all standards currently in effect through December 31, 2022.
As a recognized accrediting agency by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, the CAA is required to conduct a comprehensive review of its standards on a periodic basis, and does so every 5 to 8 years. The CAA also may conduct an interim review on an as-needed basis to provide clarification or to ensure continued compliance with recognition criteria.