The Educator Preparation Office oversees program approval and re-authorization for institutions of higher education in the state of Colorado. The process is carried out collaboratively by the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Department of Higher Education.

State authorization includes initial approval and re-authorization not more than once every five years. The School Counseling track is also authorized by the state.

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is a nonprofit organization that helps expand students’ access to educational opportunities and ensures more efficient, consistent, and effective regulation of distance education programs.

Established in 2013, the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) streamlines regulations around distance education programs.

The School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs are nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP).

Both programs currently endorse the CACREP 2016 standards of counselor preparation and practice. CACREP accreditation signals that a program's content and quality have been evaluated and meet strict, consistent standards set by the profession.