n 2024, the CAA completed 50 accreditation application reviews of graduate academic programs (7 clinical doctoral programs in audiology, 43 master’s programs in speech-language pathology). This total includes 10 reviews of applications for candidacy and 4 substantive changes.
The CAA also reviewed annual reports from 255 graduate academic programs (51 clinical doctoral programs in audiology, 204 masters programs in speech-language pathology).
Accreditation Decisions
The CAA’s 2024 accreditation reviews resulted in the following accreditation decisions:
- 32 programs were re-accredited for an 8-year cycle
- 4 programs were awarded initial accreditation for a 5-year cycle
- 10 programs were awarded candidacy
- 2 programs were placed on probation
- 3 programs were removed from probation and accreditation was continued
- 4 substantive changes were approved
- 255 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 2024 as the result of initial and re-accreditation application reviews included:
- The program faculty must regularly evaluate the congruence of program and institutional missions and the extent to which the goals are achieved. (Standard 1.4)
- An effective audiology program is characterized by planning and organization, is reviewed systematically and on a regular basis, and is consistent with current knowledge and practice guidelines of the profession. (Standard 3.2A/B)
- 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)
- The program administers regular and ongoing assessment protocols to evaluate the quality of the program and to facilitate continuous quality improvement. (Standard 5.3)
- The program uses the results of its ongoing programmatic assessments for continuous quality improvement and evaluates the improvements. (Standard 5.4)
Of note, there were 22 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 2024.
Annual Report Reviews
The areas (2017 standards) the CAA most frequently cited for program noncompliance in 2024 as the result of annual report reviews included:
- The program develops and implements a long-term strategic plan. (Standard 1.5)
- All faculty members (full-time, part-time, adjuncts), including all individuals providing clinical education, are qualified and competent by virtue of their education, experience, and professional credentials to provide academic and clinical education as assigned by the program leadership. (Standard 2.3)
- The percentage of test-takers who pass the Praxis® Subject Assessments in audiology or speech-language pathology meets or exceeds the CAA’s established threshold. (Standard 5.6)
Also of note, there were 185 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 2024.