Accreditation: What does It take?

The aim of this session is to encourage colleagues from around the world to consider accrediting the sociological practice components in their programs.  We will discuss how this differs from University accreditation and why program accreditation would be beneficial.   Then as Chair of the Commission on the Accreditation of Programs in Applied and Clinical Sociology and as one who has recently been through program accreditation, I propose to engage international colleagues in a dialog about the practical aspects of working toward accreditation.  The conversation will focus on: becoming familiar with the accreditation standards set by the Commission on the Accreditation of Programs in Applied and Clinical Sociology, the steps involved in writing a self-study, and preparing for the site visit.  This discussion will be based in an appreciation for international differences and how these might be bridged to meet the standards for accreditation.