LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider University's graduate program in counseling services has received the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation for its options in school counseling and community counseling.

CACREP is a specialized accrediting body for the world's largest association for counseling, and is recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation.

This recognition makes Rider's counseling education program one of 129 institutions nationally to hold CACREP accreditation and the second to be so accredited in New Jersey. All those who received M.A. degrees in counseling services at Rider's May 1999 commencement are considered CACREP certified.

"This is an important distinction for students in the graduate counseling services program," said Dr. Jesse DeEsch of Langhorne, PA, chairperson and assistant dean of graduate education. "It means upon graduation you can become nationally certified without having to wait two years after passing the national counselor exam. A CACREP-certified graduate can take the exam and become nationally certified immediately. It is also quite an honor to have your program recognized among the top in the country."

CACREP accreditation is a status granted to an educational institution or a program that meets or exceeds standards of educational quality set by the profession and adopted by the board of directors. These standards are designed to ensure that students receive, as part of their programs, the knowledge and skills necessary to have command of common components essential for counselors. The accreditation process is rigorous and involves an in-depth self-study, a written report on how the program meets the standards, and an on-site visit by a team of evaluators.

Rider offers a M.A. degree in counseling services and educational specialist degrees (Ed.S.) in counseling services and in school psychology.

There are three options in counseling services. The school counseling option prepares students to become certified school counselors in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other states. The community counseling option prepares students to work in community agencies, hospitals, private practice, government, and industrial settings.

The student affairs in higher education option, which will begin in the fall, will prepare students to work in colleges and universities in a variety of capacities. Since this program is currently being implemented, application for CACREP accreditation for this option has yet to be submitted.

The educational specialist degrees in counseling services and in school psychology are advanced degrees beyond a Master and provide opportunities for students to specialize in a particular area. Students completing the school psychology degree program are also eligible for certification as a school psychologist.

CACREP recognition increases the list of distinctive national accreditations held by Rider. The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accredits the elementary and secondary education programs and their applicable graduate programs both in the School of Education on the Lawrenceville campus and at Westminster Choir College on the Princeton campus. The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) accredits Westminster's undergraduate and graduate music programs. The College of Business Administration's undergraduate and graduate programs hold the prestigious accreditation of AACSB International – The International Association for Management Education.

The University also holds accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, 215-662-5606).