Two specializations within Drake University’s counseling program are now recognized as meeting the nation’s highest standards for counseling education. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP) last month issued new programmatic accreditation to Drake’s Master of Science in Counseling specializations for clinical mental health counselors and school counselors.
“This is a wonderful honor for the program and an exciting time for the University,” said Drake University Provost Deneese Jones.
The decision comes after a lengthy self-study, extensive review of the program, and an intense 3 day site visit by CACREP officials The accreditation decision confirms that Drake’s counseling program meets rigorous national quality standards.
“Professors Bengu Erguner-Tekinalp, Wade Leuwerke, Robert Stensrud, and Matt Bruinekool have created a nationally recognized program for school and clinical mental health counselors,” said Jan McMahill, dean of the School of Education. “This additional validation by CACREP is an important designation that our graduates will be proud to add to their credentials.”
Drake is now one of only three institutions in Iowa to offer CACREP-accredited master’s programs. Officials in the Drake’s School of Education say the designation will bolster students’ resumes and make graduates more marketable in Iowa and across the nation. Drake’s third focus area in counseling—specialization in rehabilitation counseling—holds long standing accreditation by another rigorous accrediting body, the Council on Rehabilitation Education.
“This is a powerful endorsement of our counseling programs,” said Bengu Erguner-Tekinalp, associate professor of counseling and coordinator of the counseling program. “And it’s a valuable asset to our next generation of licensed mental health counselors and professional school counselors.”
Wade Leuwerke, associate professor of counseling, added, “Our voluntary effort to seek CACREP accreditation documents the rigor and high expectations we set for our students and ourselves in the counseling program. Current and future graduates can point to this accreditation as evidence of the high quality training they experienced at Drake.”
Drake’s flexible, part-time graduate programs in counseling are designed for working adults. Classes are held on Drake’s campus on evenings and weekends. Visit www.drake.edu/counseling for more information.