Accreditation
Accreditation
State Authorization
All teacher preparation (initial license and added endorsement), principal licensure, and school counseling programs at UCCS are authorized by the Colorado Department of Education. 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 UCCS Alternative Licensure Program is scheduled for review in Spring 2026.
The UCCS traditional teacher, principal, and school counselor programs are scheduled for review in Fall 2027.
CACREP
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.
Human Services
The UCCS College of Education's Human Services program is designed to meet the standards and competencies outlined by the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS), and the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) and is accredited by CSHSE from October 2022 through October 2027.
Substance Use and Recovery Counseling
The UCCS Substance Use and Recovery Counseling (SURC) program has maintained the status NAADAC Approved Provider since 2016. The courses can be used when applying for the Master of Addiction Counseling (MAC) credential through NAADAC.
Inclusive Higher Education
The Comprehensive Higher Education certificate program in the UCCS Office of Inclusive Services program is designed to meet the standards and competencies outlined by the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council (IHEAC) and is accredited by IHEAC from May 2024 through May 2031.
NC-SARA
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.