CAA Standards, Procedures, and Reporting
Seeking or continuing to maintain CAA Accreditation speaks to a program's commitment to quality, to excellence, and to be open to review by peers. Determine what, when, and how to submit accreditation materials for CAA review by accessing the information below.
Standards | Policies & Procedures | Reporting
Standards
2008 Standards for Accreditation of Graduate Education Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Revised Accreditation Standards
Following careful review and consideration of all of the comments received in the peer review process related to the proposed changes to the Standards, the CAA approved at its February 2012 meeting the final version of the Standards for Accreditation of Graduate Education Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology effective January 1, 2013 [PDF]. The CAA also developed a side-by-side comparison [PDF] of the standards reflecting the current language, the revised language, and a description of the changes. Many of the changes that were proposed in fall 2011 were approved. However, in response to the feedback received related to Standards 3.1A and 3.1B in particular, the CAA decided NOT to delete the references to a specific number of hours or length of time for clinical practicum, although a few other edits were made in those and other standards for clarification purposes. The CAA made no other major changes that would substantially alter the intent of the wording of the original standards and implementation language.
Updates to Standards and/or Implementation Language of 2008 Standards for Accreditation
Comparison of Standards for Accreditation [PDF]
The CAA developed a side-by-side comparison of the 1999 and the new (2008) Standards for Accreditation to assist programs in making the transition to the new standards.
Frequently Asked Questions: 2008 Standards for Accreditation
Standards Compliance Trends
Policies and Procedures
Public Comment
Complaints
Reporting Changes
Reporting
For programs voluntarily seeking accreditation, the CAA requires documentation of compliance with its Standards for Accreditation, via completion and submission of an accreditation application and annual accreditation reports. The accreditation peer review process is comprehensive—looking at a program from many angles and against standards that have been developed by the profession as indicators of quality in the discipline of communication sciences and disorders. As a result, detailed documentation is required.
Programs are required to notify CAA when changes occur in the program that relate to an accreditation standard. Most changes, such as those related to faculty or curriculum, are typically reported through annual reports. However initiatives that meet CAA's defintions within the Policy on Substantive Changes must be reported and approved by the CAA in advance of implementation. Other changes that have a direct and significant impact on the program's potential ability to comply with standards, such as those regarding administrative structure or program leadership, must be reported to the CAA when they occur. Links to the reporting forms are provided below.
Forms
As of May 2009, programs must submit Applications for (Re)Accreditation and Annual Reports through the online Higher Education Data System (HES). Programs planning to file an Application for Candidacy or a Substantive Change Plan must use the appropriate form and submit according to the outlined procedures.
Please note: E-mail reminders for Annual Reports and Application for (Continued) Accreditation are sent to the program director approximately 4 months prior to the date of submission. For instructions, questions, or additional information please contact staff as indicated below.