The Step-by-Step CASCE Accreditation Process

To begin your process, you will need to submit an application. The application helps CASCE confirm that your program has the required foundational pieces in place and that your organization intends to move forward in the process.

All applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $1,000 application fee (current ERP programs pay $500).  Programs will be invoiced for the application fee once the application is received. Please note that undergraduate and graduate programs at the same institution are evaluated and accredited separately. Each program requires individual applications and accreditation fees. 

Once your application is approved and we receive your application fee, you will receive access to the self-study materials and guidelines. Your Self-Study is a self-reflection of your program’s strengths and weaknesses and determines the extent to which the program complies with established CASCE Professional Standards and Guidelines

NOTE: If the program chooses to defer submission of the Self-Study to the next year, an additional yearly application fee will be charged.

After your Self-Study report is received, CASCE will assign a three-person Peer Review team to assess your report. Two of the three reviewers will then complete an on-site visit to validate and clarify the contents of your program’s Self-Study report. At the end of the visit, the Peer Review team will provide an exit conference — an unofficial verbal report given to the program faculty and administrators.

Once the site visit is complete, the Peer Review team will submit an official written Site Visit report to CASCE’s Accreditation Review Committee. Once reviewed and approved, the official Site Visit report will be sent to the program, typically about 4-6 weeks after the site visit.

Once your institution receives your Site Visit Report, you will have 30 days to respond with your official Program Response. If the program is free of non-compliances, you may simply respond that the report is accepted. If there are non-compliances, the Site Visit Report will provide a detailed description of the reason for non-compliance for each standard and will include instructions on how to show compliance with that standard. The Program Response will also include corrections or documentation indicating compliance.

Once the Accreditation Review Committee has received and reviewed the Program Response, any non-compliant standards and response will be reported to the CASCE Board along with a recommendation regarding accreditation. The CASCE board will then make an accreditation decision. Your institution will be informed of the board’s Accreditation Action (see below). You will also receive a clear statement of any non-compliance along with instructions for completion of a Progress Report (if applicable) to continue your pursuit of accreditation