Two BSU Counseling Programs Had Quality Reaffirmed with Full Accreditation

Bowie State One of Five MD Universities with This Distinction

MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile

(BOWIE, Md.) – Two Bowie State University counseling degree programs, already nationally recognized for their quality, achieved full, eight-year accreditation from the organization that sets the national standard for professional counselor education.

Bowie State’s Master of Arts in mental health counseling and Master of Education in school counseling programs earned initial two-year accreditation in 2017 from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). After meeting CACREP’s extensive requirements, the programs’ accreditation was extended until March 2025 to complete the full eight-year cycle.

Bowie State University is one of five Maryland colleges or universities and one of three in the University System of Maryland with this distinction. Both programs met the standards set by CACREP of hands-on learning experiences, faculty qualifications, academic support and student selection, among other criteria. Employers value and recruit graduates from CACREP-accredited programs – three federal agencies require counselors to graduate from programs with the CACREP accreditation before they can work with their populations.

The programs, offered through Bowie State’s Department of Counseling, require students to complete a rigorous curriculum of foundational and advanced courses, as well as hundreds of hours of clinical work. Many students complete research as part of their programs and have opportunities to present their findings in presentations around the globe. Graduates are prepared to become licensed or certified counselors.

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, criminal justice, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit www.bowiestate.edu.