Accreditation

A: YES, we are – we are in “pre-accreditation”, which serves as an accreditation of the program! (See statement below from the USDE) Our program has been awarded Candidacy, which is the way all new programs develop. Candidacy Accreditation is a form of accreditation given to new programs, so that the program can develop and demonstrate that it can provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to become a speech-language pathologist.

The CAA Accreditation Handbook (ASHA, 2022, p. 82) states the following:

…. in accordance with Criterion for Recognition §602.23 [34 CFR 602.23(f)(2)], the U.S. Secretary of Education considers all credits and degrees earned and issued by a program holding candidacy status with the CAA to being from an accredited program since the CAA is a recognized accrediting agency. (emphasis added)

Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (2022, March). Accreditation Handbook. Rockville, MD: American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) Accreditation Handbook (asha.org).

A: Students hold all of the same rights and privileges as those who attend programs that are fully accredited. Specifically,

• Students will have earned a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Southern California.
• Students are able to take the Praxis examination.
• Students are able to apply for a Clinical Fellowship.

A: The Candidacy Accreditation Cycle is from May 2, 2021 – April 30, 2026. The program will apply for initial accreditation at the end of this period.

For further information or questions regarding Candidacy Accreditation, please contact the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology office or CAA.

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program Office
(323) 442-0555
msslp@usc.edu

Council for Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
800-498-2071
accreditation@asha.org