FAQs on Counseling Master’s Programs: CACREP and MPCAC Accreditation

If you’re pursuing a master's degree in counseling, understanding the significance of accreditation is essential. The ACA (American Counseling Association) recognizes both CACREP (The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) and MPCAC (Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council) as critical sources of accreditation for counseling programs.

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what CACREP and MPCAC accreditation is, its significance for counseling master’s degrees, and what accreditations or licensures you need to become a certified mental health counselor.

FAQ 1: What are CACREP and MPCAC accreditations?

Accrediting bodies like CACREP and MPCAC ensure counseling programs provide the minimum requirements of evidence-based training for counseling students. They ensure program consistency, experience, and path to licensure for counselors-in-training. When you’re looking for a graduate counseling program, you want to make sure that the program you choose will adequately prepare you for licensure and the job titles you’ll hold afterward.

In order for a counseling master’s program to be CACREP or MPCAC accredited, it must fulfill certain requirements or standards for institutional settings; program mission and objectives; program content; practicum experiences; student selection and advising; faculty qualifications and workload; program governance; instructional support; and self-evaluation.^1,2 One distinctive feature of MPCAC accreditation is its recognition of 8-week programs, unlike CACREP's minimum requirement of 10 weeks. This accreditation ensures that graduates of an 8-week program model are well-prepared for the challenges of professional practice in mental health counseling.

FAQ 2: Do I need to go to a school that’s CACREP or MPCAC accredited to become a licensed counselor?

No, it is not required to go to a CACREP or MPCAC accredited school to become a licensed counselor. To be a licensed counselor, a student’s counseling program must meet the state’s licensure requirements. Thus, most states don't require CACREP or MPCAC accreditation, nor do most counseling jobs. Attending an accredited program also doesn't mean you're guaranteed to get your license. Students at CACREP and MPCAC accredited counseling programs will still need to complete all requirements and pass all examinations that students who attend non-accredited schools need to complete.

MPCAC accreditation signifies that a counseling master's program meets rigorous educational standards, ensuring graduates are adequately prepared for licensure and professional practice.³ While specific state requirements may vary, MPCAC accreditation holds significant weight in the licensure process and is recognized by many state licensing boards.

FAQ 3: What else should I consider in a counseling graduate degree?

Accreditation is one thing, but there are a host of other factors to consider when choosing a clinical mental health counseling program. They include curriculum requirements and faculty to student ratio.

Curriculum requirements

Whether the counseling graduate degree program you are considering is accredited or not, you should compare the curriculum to your state’s requirements. Every state has different requirements for licensure, and Oklahoma City University encourages applicants to consult with the licensing board in their state to ensure they understand the requirements before enrolling in a program.

For example, state boards will require completed hours of academic credit in specific topic areas to apply for licensure. If you examine your school's curriculum, you should see pretty clear equivalents. You should also be mindful that some states do require CACREP accreditation. This is typically expressed by States’ Licensure Websites.

Using the requirements of the state of Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health, which manages Licensed Professional Counselor licenses and OCU’s curriculum, here are a few examples:⁴

• Oklahoma State Board requirement: Human growth and development
  • OCU equivalent: Personality and Human Development
• Oklahoma State Board requirement: Professional orientation/ethics
  • OCU equivalent: Professional Identity & Ethics
• Oklahoma State Board requirement: Research
  • OCU equivalent: Research Methods

The state board should have short explanations of each requirement so that you can closely compare those with complete course descriptions. Each state will also dictate a certain number of hours of practicum and internship experience.

Faculty to student ratio

CACREP accredited programs require no more than 12 students to one instructor. Adhering to the MPCAC model for 8-week programs, OCU holds an 8:1 (8 students per instructor) ratio, to ensure a rich and rewarding field experience for counselors-in-training.

FAQ 4: Can I achieve NCC designation without going to a CACREP-accredited school?

Some prospective counselors also wonder if you can become a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) if your program isn't CACREP accredited. Yes, you can obtain NCC status without enrolling in a CACREP-accredited program. There are a few additional steps you have to complete, which are as follows:⁵

• Earn a graduate degree in counseling (including practicum/internship requirements) from an institutionally accredited educational institution
• Take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) if required by your school
• Complete post-graduate "supervision" or supervised experience hours
• The National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC) will review your coursework to determine your eligibility
• Submit an endorsement from a professional colleague who holds a graduate degree in a mental health field
• Complete the exam required by your state board. Either the:
  • National Counselor Examination (NCE) for Licensure and Certification
  • National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE)
• Complete the required NCC application sections “Ethics Attestation” and “Applicant Agreement and Release Authorization,” which require the disclosure of all prior legal, criminal, and disciplinary matters, which the NBCC will then review
• Address any additional requirements as outlined by your states’ licensing board
• Apply for a license with your state board of counseling

FAQ 5: What are the requirements for earning a mental health counseling license?

In order to become a licensed mental health counselor, you should follow the steps outlined below under NCC designation (depending on if your program is CACREP accredited or not). While this is generally the order that tasks will be completed, it can vary slightly. Check out our blog on How to Earn Your Clinical Mental Health Counseling License for more specific information.

How OCU can prepare you for licensure

Oklahoma City University’s online M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offers a robust, rigorous degree program with remote skills labs that will help you learn popular counseling theories, hone interpersonal skills, and gain additional expertise in the field. The curriculum is approved by the NBCC and the Oklahoma State Board for Behavioral Health and meets all core counseling competencies within the American Counseling Association guidelines.

Thoughtful course material encourages self-reflection and professional development while also meeting or exceeding the board requirements of other states. Courses use empirically supported teaching strategies to engage students with specialization topics like research, evidence-based counseling techniques, adolescent counseling, marriage and family therapy, and more. Finally, ​​ the internship and practicum offer an exciting chance to immerse yourself in real-world experiences, all while fulfilling essential licensure requirements.

Earn your M.Ed. from a reputable university

Start with a solid foundation for your career by earning a master's in counseling from a university with a reputation for molding competent, compassionate clinical mental health counselors. The OCU Clinical Mental Health Counseling faculty hold CACREP certified degrees in Counselor Education and Supervision. OCU online M.Ed. students will also gain invaluable clinical mental health counseling knowledge and experience that includes core CACREP and MPCAC areas like counseling theories, treatment planning, professional practice and more.

Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor to learn more about the online clinical mental health counseling program at OCU.