n 2023, the CAA completed 55 accreditation application reviews of graduate academic programs (5 clinical doctoral programs in audiology, 50 master’s programs in speech-language pathology). This total includes 6 reviews of applications for candidacy and 4 substantive changes.
The CAA also reviewed annual reports from 280 graduate academic programs (61 clinical doctoral programs in audiology, 219 masters programs in speech-language pathology).
Accreditation Decisions
The CAA’s 2023 accreditation reviews resulted in the following accreditation decisions:
- 37 programs were re-accredited for an 8-year cycle
- 8 programs were awarded initial accreditation for a 5-year cycle
- 6 programs were awarded candidacy
- 6 programs were placed on probation
- 6 programs were removed from probation and accreditation was continued
- 4 substantive changes were approved
- 280 programs were approved for continued accreditation on the basis of an annual report review
Accreditation status decisions (e.g., award accreditation, place on probation) are made public in accordance with the CAA’s Public Notice of Accreditation Actions policy. CAA’s policy and descriptions of those decisions can be found in the Accreditation Handbook—Chapter XII: Informing the Public.
Most Frequently Cited Standards
Initial and Continued Accreditation Application Reviews
The areas (2017 standards) the CAA most frequently cited for program noncompliance in 2023 as the result of initial and re-accreditation application reviews included:
- Faculty members are qualified and competent by virtue of their education, experience, and professional credentials to provide academic and clinical education; specifically, the majority of academic content is taught by doctoral faculty who hold the appropriate terminal academic degree (PhD, EdD). (Standard 2.3)
- The program has policies and procedures for identifying the need to provide intervention for each student who does not meet program expectations for the acquisition of knowledge and skills in the academic and clinical components of the program. (Standard 4.3)
- Students receive advising on a regular basis that pertains to both academic and clinical performance and progress. (Standard 4.6)
- The program documents student progress toward completion of the graduate degree and professional credentialing requirements. (Standard 4.7)
Of note, there were 3 graduate academic programs that received no citations (e.g., no areas of noncompliance and no areas for follow-up) as a result of their initial or re-accreditation application reviews in 2023.
Annual Report Reviews
The areas (2017 standards) the CAA most frequently cited for program noncompliance in 2023 as the result of annual report reviews included:
- The program develops and implements a long-term strategic plan. (Standard 1.5)
- The number and composition of the program faculty (academic doctoral, clinical doctoral, other) are sufficient. (Standard 2.1)
- The number, composition, and workload of all full-time faculty who have responsibility in the graduate program are sufficient to allow them to meet expectations with regard to teaching, research, and service of the sponsoring institution. (Standard 2.2)
- Faculty members are qualified and competent by virtue of their education, experience, and professional credentials to provide academic and clinical education. (Standard 2.3)
- An effective speech-language pathology program is organized and delivered in such a manner that diversity, equity, and inclusion are reflected in the program and throughout academic and clinical education. (Standard 3.4B)
- The institution provides adequate financial support to the program so that it can achieve its stated mission and goals. (Standard 6.1)
- The program has access to clerical and technical staff that is appropriate and sufficient to support the work of the students, faculty, and staff. The access is appropriate and sufficient for the program to meet its mission and goals. (Standard 6.6)
Also of note, there were 122 graduate academic programs that received no citations (e.g., no areas of noncompliance and no areas for follow-up) as a result of their annual report reviews in 2023.