The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is an independent accrediting agency that evaluates counseling programs across the United States. The organization announced a new set of “standards” in 2024, which, according to the organization, were developed “when the United States and many parts of the world were addressing issues in diversity, equity, inclusion.” ¹

According to the Standards, all “entry-level and doctoral-level programs” that seek accreditation require student handbooks to include “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility policies,” as well as a syllabus, “available to students enrolled in the course at the beginning of each academic term,” that must include “diversity, equity, inclusion,” and an “accommodation statement.” ¹

Sonja Sutherland, the board chair of the organization, is a licensed professional counselor who is also the founder and CEO of Diversity Dialogues, a DEI consultancy that provides “a unique suite of diversity and inclusion growth opportunities” to assist organizations in implementing DEI principles. ^{2 3}

Background

According to its website, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs has accredited “over 983 master’s and doctoral degree” programs in counseling and specialized counseling practices at 472 educational institutes across the United States. ⁴

The organization, which was founded in 1981, is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), another organization that focuses on higher education accreditation. According to CHEA, CACREP “assumed responsibility for carrying out the mission and vision of the Council on Rehabilitation Education,” (CORE) on July 1, 2017. This meant that all graduate programs that “were formerly accredited by CORE,” were then accredited by CACREP. ⁵

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs announced a new set of “standards” in 2024. ¹ The 2024 CACREP Standards, uploaded to its website via PDF, show that CACREP advocates for the incorporation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles. ¹

In the document, it is noted that the 2024 CACREP Standards were developed “when the United States and many parts of the world were addressing issues in diversity, equity, [and] inclusion.” According to the Standards, all “entry-level and doctoral-level programs” that seek accreditation require student handbooks to include “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility policies,” and a syllabus, “available to students enrolled in the course at the beginning of each academic term,” that must include “diversity, equity, inclusion,” and an “accommodation statement.” ¹

The 2024 CACREP Standards also state that DEI principles are “integral to counselor preparation and should be infused throughout the curriculum” of all entry-level programs that wish to receive accreditation, while admission criteria for doctoral programs include a “commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.” The doctoral curriculum must also include the “integration of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice principles and practices,” and “strategies of leadership” in relation to DEI principles and “social justice issues.” ¹

People

The board chair of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs is Sonja Sutherland, a licensed professional counselor who is also the founder and CEO of Diversity Dialogues, a DEI consultancy company that provides “a unique suite of diversity and inclusion growth opportunities” to assist organizations in implementing DEI principles. ^{2 3}

Sutherland was the chief diversity consultant to the university president of Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta, Georgia, from August 2021 until May 2022, and was Richmont Graduate University’s inaugural director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, as well as the chair of its Diversity Task Force from January 2019 until August 2021. According to her curriculum vitae, Sutherland provided direction and leadership to develop the university’s “first Diversity Advisory Council, statement of diversity and inclusion, and Office of Diversity & Inclusion.” ³

Financials

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs receives most of its revenue from contributions and grants. ⁶

The organization received a total of $2.5 million in revenue in 2024, just under $2.4 million of which came from contributions and grants. Its expenses amounted to just under $2.4 million that same year, with $450,357 being spent on executive compensation, including $293,472 for its president, M. Sylvia Fernandez, and another $759,788 on other salaries and wages. The organization reported total net assets amount of just under $5.5 million in 2024. ⁶

1. 2024 CACREP Standards.” CACREP. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://www.cacrep.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2024-CACREP-Standards.pdf.
2. CACREP. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://www.cacrep.org/about-cacrep/.
3.  “Sonja Sutherland CV.” Dr Sonja Sutherland. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://drsonjasutherland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Sutherland_Sonja_Final_CV_11.2022.pdf.
4. “Home.” CACREP. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://www.cacrep.org/.
5. “Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.” Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://www.chea.org/council-accreditation-counseling-and-related-educational-programs.
6. “Council For Accreditation Of Counseling & Related Educational.” ProPublica. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521246061.