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WIU Quad Cities Counseling Program Receives Eight-Year CACREP Reaffirmation

March 24, 2026

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - -The Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling graduate programs at Western Illinois University-Quad Cities have received reaffirmation of accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), continuing a longstanding accreditation held since 1987.

The CACREP Board of Directors decided during its February 2026 meeting, following a comprehensive review of the programs under the 2016 CACREP Standards. The review process included evaluation of the program's self-study, the site review team's report and the university's response to that report.

Both the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S.Ed.) and School Counseling (M.S.Ed.) specialty areas were reaffirmed, indicating the programs demonstrated full compliance with CACREP standards and policies.

The accreditation cycle for both programs will run through April 30, 2033. CACREP grants reaffirmation when a counseling program meets the organization's nationally recognized standards for counselor preparation, including curriculum quality, faculty qualifications and student training experiences.

WIU-QC delivers its counseling specialty areas primarily through an in-person synchronous format.

The CACREP accreditation process is designed to ensure quality and continuous improvement in counselor education programs. Reaffirmation supports the continued preparation of qualified counseling professionals who serve individuals, schools, and communities.

"The Counselor Education program is proud to have received CACREP reaccreditation for both our Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling programs until 2033. Full compliance with all accreditation standards speaks to the commitment and dedication of the program faculty and the University's strong support of the program. Graduating from a CACREP-accredited program streamlines the path to achieving state licensure for emerging clinicians, and in some states, licensure is not possible without it," WIU Counselor Education Professor Carrie Alexander-Albritton said.

For more information on WIU-QC's Counseling Program, visit wiu.edu/coehs/cnedcsp/cned_about.php.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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