Accreditation, Professional Identity Development, and Professional Competence: A Discriminant Analysis

ABSTRACTResearchers explored the relationship among professional identity, professional competence, and graduate program accreditation status of 134 practicum counselors-in-training. Descriptive discriminant analysis demonstrated specific characteristics of professional identity and professional competence were indicators of Council for Accreditation and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited program status. Findings support further investigation of the role of CACREP standards in counselor education, training standards, and licensure and certification requirements.