Membership and Accreditation
Policies and Procedures
[last updated October 2005]

The Council for Standards in Human Services Education was created in 1976 and is the only national accrediting body for human service degree programs. The National Standards set forth by the Council have been confirmed through independent and Council research as well as the self-studies of various institutions over the years. The membership consists of degree Programs that sustain the work of the Council through membership dues.

The Board of Directors is committed to fulfilling the vision and mission of the Council with integrity and professionalism. Through membership, Programs join the Council in the work of promoting high quality educational experiences that assure human service professionals who enter the field prepared to work with diverse clients in diverse settings with diverse goals and objectives around a common thread of social justice. This document provides members a resource for understanding the framework for the Council's work, the responsibilities and rights of members, and the principles that inform our practice.

This page will address:

• Membership in the Council
  
• Accreditation and Reaccreditation
  
• Conditions of Accreditation
  
• Conditions of Reaccreditation
  
• Use of CSHSE Logo in Promotional Materials
  
• Payment, Policies, and Procedures

Programs can become members of the Council before they are accredited, and some Programs remain members without ever becoming accredited. Members join the Council in its commitment to improving the quality, consistency, and relevance of human service education programs through National Standards, accreditation of human service degree programs, research, and publications.

Programs cannot, however, become accredited without first becoming members of the Council. In addition, Programs must maintain current membership through annual dues as a condition of accreditation.

All members benefit from the work of the Council. In addition to the Standards themselves, members receive copies of the semi-annual Bulletin and monographs as they are published. Regional Directors and Executive Board Members are available to consult with any member regarding program and curriculum standards. All members have the same voting privileges whether or not they are accredited.

Programs with more than one site can apply for one membership with an additional fee per site. An application for membership can be downloaded from the Council website at http://www.cshse.org. The completed application should be submitted as instructed on the form with a check for membership fee for one year.

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Accreditation and Reaccreditation

• Programs apply for initial accreditation by completing an Application for Accreditation (see the Council website) and submitting it with the accreditation fee of $350 (2005-2006 year). Note: Check the website for the current fee structure. A letter giving Notice to Proceed will be sent from the Council to the Program by the Vice President of Accreditation.
  
• Programs that are delivered at multiple sites but use the same curriculum at each site pay an additional accreditation/reaccreditation fee of $50.00 for each additional site. For example, a program delivered at three sites would pay $350 for the first site and $50 for each of the additional sites, a total accreditation/reaccreditation fee of $450.
  
• Programs have two years from the date of the Notice to Proceed to complete the accreditation process (self-study and site visit). See the Steps to Accreditation (above) or Council website for detailed information.
  
• Accreditation is renewed every 5 years; a site visit is required every 10 years. A Reaccreditation Application should be submitted with the current fee ($350 for the 2005-2006 year) prior to the end of the accreditation period (either October 31 or May 31). Note: Check the website for the current fee structure.
  
• Programs that cannot meet the deadlines due to extenuating circumstances may apply for an extension of up to one year by submitting a letter of request to the Vice President of Accreditation. When an extension is granted, accreditation will be continuous from the date that accreditation renewal was due.
  
• Programs that allowed accreditation to lapse either for non-payment of membership dues OR by not submitting a Reaccreditation Application and the reaccreditation fee at least six months prior to the ending date of their current accreditation, must begin the process as if they have never been accredited. Official records will show the lapse in accreditation. Note: Check the website for the current fee structure.

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Conditions of Accreditation

• All standards must be met. Programs should address the specifications for each standard that pertains to the level of certificate or degree.
  
• All deadlines must have been met. If not, the Board will consider the Program at the subsequent Board meeting.
  
• The Regional Director, Vice President of Accreditation, and each of the four readers must have received the self-study copy.
  
• The Treasurer must have received the application and fee.
  
• The Vice President of Accreditation must have sent a notice to proceed to the Program based on the application. The Program has two years from the date of the letter to proceed to complete and submit the self-study.
  
• All council membership dues must be current (see the Payment Policies and Procedures Section).
  
• A site visit (two site visitors) must be completed and all site visitor expenses must be paid.
  
• Programs that use the same curriculum at multiple sites can apply for accreditation as one program provided they use the same curriculum at each site and can document how continuity of the curriculum across sites is insured. See Payment Policies and Procedures for the membership and accreditation fee structure.
  
• Programs that use different curricula at each site must apply for membership, accreditation, and reaccreditation as separate sites.

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Conditions of Reaccreditation

• Accreditation must be renewed every 5 years. Reaccreditation should be considered on the anniversary date of the initial accreditation. For example, if the Program is accredited for May 2005-May 2010, the reaccreditation should be submitted for consideration at the May 2010 Board Meeting.
  
• A self-study is required every 5 years.
  
• A site visit (two site visitors) is required every 10 years beginning with the initial accreditation.
  
• All standards must be met. Programs should address the specifications for each standard (see website).
  
• All deadlines must be met (see Deadlines/Timeline section). If not, the Board will consider the Program at the subsequent Board meeting. If consideration is conducted at the following board meeting and approval is given, accreditation is granted continuous from the date of prior approval.
  
• Accreditation that has lapsed for non-payment or not submitting documents in a timely manner can be reinstated under the provisions of the Payment Policies and Procedures.
  
• The Regional Director, Vice President of Accreditation, and each of the four readers must have received the self-study copy within the timeline.
  
• The Treasurer must have received the Reaccreditation Application and fee within the timeline.
  
• Continuous membership must be maintained and membership fees must be paid in a timely manner. Programs that are in arrears will be given a 90-Day Notice that accreditation is terminated for non-payment of funds.
  
• See the Payment Policies and Procedures for applicable charges and reinstatement fees.
  
• Programs that have multiple sites but deliver the same curriculum at each site and have been accredited as one program will be reaccredited as one program. See the Payment Policies and Procedures for the membership and reaccreditation fee structures.
  
• Programs that have multiple sites but use different curricula at each site will be reaccredited as individual programs. See the Payment Policies and Procedures for the membership and reaccreditation fee structures.

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Use of CSHSE Logo in Promotional Materials

Accredited members of the Council are listed on the CSHSE website and can include the Council logo in promotional materials along with the statement, "Accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education."

Non-accredited members are also included on the website and can include the Council logo in promotional materials along with the statement, "Member of the Council for Standards in Human Service Education." They cannot claim or imply that they are accredited.

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Payment, Policies, and Procedures

• Membership follows the academic year, July 1 thru June 30
  
• Programs can support the work of the Council through active membership, whether or not the program is accredited. See the website for benefits of membership.
  
• To become a member, complete the Membership Application found on the Council website and submit it with a check for annual dues. Note: Check the website for the current fee structure. The membership dues for 2005-2006 are $300.
  
• Dues will be prorated the second year, giving credit for unused dues during the first year. For example, if a Program joins the Council in October, they pay the fee for a full year (Note: check the website for the current fee structure.) When invoices are sent the following year, they will be given credit for four months (July through October).
  
• Membership dues must be paid on an annual basis concurrent with the academic year, July 1 through June 30, as follows:
  
  • Invoices are mailed on September 15, payment is due no later than November 15.
    
  • If payment has not been received by November 15, a second billing is sent with a $25.00 late charge. (Note: Check the website for the current fee structure.)
    
  • If the annual dues and late charge are not received by December 31, a letter is sent advising the Program that membership has lapsed.
    
• Current membership must be maintained as a condition of accreditation. If membership lapses for non-payment, accredited programs are notified by mail that the accreditation has lapsed.
  
• Program accreditation that has lapsed for non-payment can be reinstated within 90 days of December 31 (received by March 31) by paying the outstanding membership fee, the $25 late charge, and a reinstatement charge of $200. (Note: Check the website for the current fee structure.)
  
• Programs that have multiple sites pay the $300 membership fee for the first site and $50 membership fee for each additional site. For example, a program that is delivered at four sites will pay $300 for the first site, and $50 for each of the additional three sites for a total of $450 annually.

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