| Abstract: | This article traces the historical development of professional standards and highlights some of the issues that have surfaced in the development process. Traditional and existing accreditation procedures are described as well as recent trends in national accreditation that may be conducive to ACES-sponsored accreditation of preparation programs. State models of program accreditation by California ACES and Wisconsin ACES are described. The relationship between program accreditation and counselor licensure is discussed, and the implication is drawn that licensure may be the catalyst for professional-program accreditation. It is concluded that ACES is the most appropriate professional association to assume leadership in the area of accreditation, and a series of recommendations is made for implementing accreditation. |
