JS-46
Getting Your Sociology or Interdisciplinary Program Accredited By Capacs (the Commission on the Accreditation of Programs in Applied and Clinical Sociology

Wednesday, 18 July 2018: 10:30-12:20
Location: 602 (MTCC SOUTH BUILDING)
RC46 Clinical Sociology (host committee)
RC26 Sociotechnics, Sociological Practice

Language: English

"Professionalizing" Sociology begins with the accreditation of a program in applied, clinical, or engaged public sociology or sociological practice by CAPACS.  Graduates of CAPACS-accredited programs complete a carefully-designed curriculum, ensuring employers that they possess a full spectrum of knowledge, skills, and practice experiences that distinguish them from other job applicants.  Creating a highly educated and trained pool of practicing sociologists furthers Sociology's "professionalization," as these individuals possess educational qualifications, training, and field experiences to support their acquisition of association credentials, including the "Certificate in Sociological Practice" (C.S.P.) and “Certificate of Clinical Sociology (C.C.S.), offered by AACS.  State credentials such as registration, certification, and licensure, also may be attained, if supported by sociological practice legislation, comparable to that enacted by "professionalized" disciplines, such as Psychology and Social Work.

Dr. Michael Fleischer, CAPACS Chair, will present a brief history and overview of CAPACS, with an interactive slide-show and handouts, covering global higher education accreditation, the CAPACS accreditation process, and the benefits of Program accreditation.

Dr. Norma Winston, CAPACS Vice Chair, will discuss the CAPACS Site Visit Process, particularly organizing and hosting meetings with university administrators, internship site supervisors, and program faculty and students. She will address how applicant programs can prepare for CAPACS accreditation, and provide examples of how students' benefit from their tangible practice experiences.

Dr. Jan Fritz, and Dr. Tina Uys, regular and international members of the Commission, will discuss the accreditation of non-US programs in applied, clinical, and engaged public sociology and sociological practice in higher education by CAPACS.

Session Organizers:
Michael FLEISCHER, Organizational Dynamics, USA and Norma WINSTON, University of Tampa, USA
Chair:
Amitra WALL, SUNY Buffalo State College, USA
Oral Presentations
The Accreditation of International Programs By Capacs: Important Considerations
Tina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa; Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA