Joint Announcement: CORE and CACREP Boards Adopt MOU Outlining Intent to Merge

The Boards of Directors of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) are pleased to announce their intent to merge into a new accrediting entity. Both organizations voted at their respective July board meetings to support a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that formally commits the two organizations to enter into a process of developing an accreditation entity that brings together the best practices of both organizations for the mutual benefit of their constituents.

It is important to note that the CACREP and CORE Boards enter into this process with great respect for the history and traditions of both organizations and a determination to preserve and promote both the common and unique strengths and potentials of each group. By combining efforts, both boards believe that there is an opportunity not only to promote excellence in counselor education with a unified voice, but to also promote unified recognition for the counseling profession as a whole.

A joint task force will be appointed by the elected heads of both organizations to begin the work of developing the new organization's structure, procedures and processes, along with an operational timeline. At the conclusion of the process, both boards will vote on the final merger proposal. CORE and CACREP are appreciative of the support and patience of their constituents during the current decision-making processes and hope that all will join them in their enthusiasm for the future.

This statement is released on behalf of the CACREP and CORE Boards by:

John R. Culbreth, PhD
NCC, ACS, MAC, NCLPC, NCLCAS, NCLSC
CACREP Board Chair

Linda R. Shaw, PhD
LMHC, CRC
CORE Board President