CAA Accreditation Manual
(Updated 2009)

The CAA's Accreditation Manual contains the policies, procedures, and forms related to the conduct of accreditation reviews of eligible graduate education programs in audiology and speech-language pathology, including the Standards for Accreditation. 

This resource was developed for use and reference by programs, site visit team members, members of the CAA, and to provide critical information to the public about the CAA's purposes, history, and accreditation activities.

New graduate programs seeking information about applying for candidacy status, please see the CAA's Candidacy Manual.

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Table of Contents

I.  Introduction

• Background 
• Council on Academic Accreditation 
• Recognition and Scope 
• Role and Value of Accreditation 

II.  Accreditation Process

1. Classifications
   • Accreditation Classifications 
   • Application for Candidacy Status 
   • Application for Initial Accreditation or Reaccreditation 
   • Accreditation Fees 
2. Accreditation Review Process
• Initial Evaluation of Application 
• Site Visit 
• Evaluation of Site Visit Process 
• Multiple Site Programs 
• CAA Final Review of Initial and Reaccreditation Applications 
• CAA Action on Initial and Reaccreditation Applications 
• CAA Review and Action on Other Reports 

c.    Public Information

• Public Disclosure and Confidentiality 
• Conflict of Interest 
• Public Notice of Accreditation Actions 
• Public Notice of Accreditation Status
• Use of CAA Logo by Programs
• Procedures Related to Notification of Changes in Institutional Accreditation Status
• Program Director Change Notification

III.  Standards for Accreditation of Graduate Education Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

• Introduction
• Accreditation Standards
• Standard 1.0 Administrative Structure and Governance
• Standard 2.0 Faculty
• Standard 3.0A Curriculum (Academic and Clinical Education) in Audiology
• Standard 3.0B Curriculum (Academic and Clinical Education) in Speech-Language Pathology
• Standard 4.0 Students
• Standard 5.0 Assessment
• Standard 6.0 Program Resources

IV.  Self-Study Guidelines

• What is Self-Study? 
• How is Self-Study Accomplished? 
• What is the Relation of Accreditation to Self-Study? 
• Questions to be Addressed in Self-Study 

V.  Substantive Changes to CAA-Accredited Graduate Education Programs

• Change in Degree Level
• Alternative Delivery Models 
• Distance Education
• Satellite Location or Branch Campus
• Contractual Arrangements

VI.  Consortia

VII.  Further Consideration and Appeal Procedures

• Further Consideration
• Appealable Decisions 
• Filing an Appeal 
• Scope and Basis for Appeal 
• Appointment of an Appeal Panel 
• Appeal Hearing 
• Panel Decision and Report 
• Summary of Time Lines 
• Costs of Appeals  

VIII.  Complaint Procedures

• Procedures for Complaints Against Graduate Education Programs  
• Criteria for Complaints 
• Determination of Jurisdiction 
• Evaluation of Complaint 
• Summary of Time Lines
• Procedures for Complaints Against the CAA 
• Criteria for Complaints 
• Determination of Jurisdiction 
• Evaluation of Complaint 
• Summary of Time Lines

Figures 

• Figure 1: CAA Review and Actions on Initial Applications and Reapplications [PDF]
• Figure 2: CAA Review and Actions on Annual Reports [PDF]
• Figure 3: Suggested Flow Chart for Self-Study [PDF] 

Forms 

• Application for Accreditation Evaluation of Education Program(s) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology [PDF, 2.6 MB]
• Annual Report Form [PDF, 1.7 MB]
• Procedures for Submission of Substantive Change Plan by CAA-Accredited Graduate Education Programs