National Louis University Tampa Receives CACREP Accreditation
Accreditation for the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision Programs will help to train the next generation of clinical counselors and counselor educators amidst what experts call a “national mental health crisis”
(Tampa: February 28, 2022) – The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation to the following programs housed in the College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences at National Louis University, Tampa: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S.), and Counselor Education and Supervision (Ed.D.). CACREP accreditation is a key step for ensuring optimum quality standards in any counseling education setting.
“This is the result of years of hard work and the dedication of our faculty and staff to the highest standards in clinical education,” said Anthony Spano, Executive Director of National Louis University’s Tampa campus, where the programs are located. “Thanks to their commitment and professionalism, we are ready to help aspiring clinical counselors take their educational and career ambitions to the next level,” he added.
Program enhancement through ongoing self-assessment is a key feature of CACREP accreditation. By undertaking continual self-assessment, a counseling program indicates that its faculty and staff have articulated a clear direction or mission for the program, and that they regularly reflect on the means they are using to accomplish that mission. By continually assessing program resources, objectives, strengths, and limitations with the latest professional standards of the field, the process of self-assessment leads to a more effective graduate counseling program.
“We appreciate CACREP’s recognition of the excellence we pursue every day within our department. We remain dedicated to preparing our students to serve their communities mental health needs for years to come.” said Dr. Joffrey Suprina, Counseling Department Chair of National Louis University’s Tampa programs.
NLU Tampa’s CACREP-accredited offerings for the Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and the Ed.D program in Counselor Education and Supervision are available remotely, so students may participate wherever they are located.
In a time when severe mental health issues are rising, especially among adolescents and young adults, the accreditation is coming at an auspicious moment. The American Psychological Association has sounded the alarm about a burgeoning national mental health crisis, as Americans continue to deal with the stressors of the pandemic, economic insecurity, and political conflict. According to surveys, young people between the ages of eighteen and twenty-three are the most likely to report symptoms of depression. The overall prevalence of mental illness among adults is also increasing, affecting nearly a fifth of the adult population, according to the 2021 State of Mental Health in America report.
These alarming trends indicate the degree to which mental health needs are going unmet in America today. Having secured accreditation, the M.S. in Clinical Health Counseling and the Doctorate in Counseling Education and Supervision programs at National Louis University Tampa stand ready to educate and train the next generation of clinical counselors who can help chart a way forward in challenging times.
Contact: Jamie Merchant, Director of Marketing-Communications and PR, National Louis University: jmerchant@nl.edu, (312) 261-3051.
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About The Counseling Department at National Louis University Florida: At the Florida Counseling Department, our diverse and distinguished faculty have practical experiences to inform our rigorous curricula, and our students are provided many opportunities to pursue specific interests within the field of counseling and counselor education. Masters’ graduates are trained to work with a variety of clientele in a myriad of settings while doctoral graduates gain work as professors, clinicians, supervisors, researchers and leaders in the field.
About National Louis University: National Louis University is a nonprofit, non-denominational university focused on preparing the diverse workforce of tomorrow and widening access to quality educational and career opportunities for all learners. NLU offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in the fields of education, business, computer science and information technology, management, human services, social work, counseling, public policy, culinary, hospitality and other fields in career and professional development. NLU serves approximately 10,000 students annually at locations in Illinois and Florida as well as online. Visit nl.edu for more info.
