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The Commission on the Accreditation of
Programs in Applied and Clinical Sociology


About Accreditation

CAPACS accreditation standards are based on learning outcomes and seek to integrate sociological theory, knowledge, methods, skills and professional orientation and ethics. In addition, students must have a meaningful practice experience, such as an internship. These requirements are designed to strengthen programs and improve career preparation for students.

Accreditation is a type of periodic program review. An accredited program should have adequate administrative structures and resources to support teaching, research and experiential learning for students. Accreditation helps to ensure that programs are adequately funded and staffed.

The accreditation process is based upon a program self study and site visit. The Commission has published the documents Standards for Programs in Applied and Clinical Sociology and Guidelines for Completing the Self Study Report to assist programs seeking accreditation. These documents can be accessed and downloaded on the Documents web page.

For more information on CAPACS Accreditation, please see the article by Dr. Michael Fleischer and Dr. Norma Winston, "Entry on Accreditation for the Dictionary of Clinical Sociology," Journal of Applied Social Sciences 12 (March 2018) 1: 12-16. Reprint of "Accréditation," in Vandevelde-Rougale Agnés & Pascal Fugier (eds.), Dictionnaire de sociologie clinique, Toulouse, ERES, to be published in 2019.

Accredited Programs: Undergraduate

Accredited Programs: Graduate

CAPACS Priorities

CAPACS recognizes that an increasing number of sociology graduates at all degree levels pursue careers in applied, clinical, and public settings rather than in academic or pure research settings. Accordingly, CAPACS accreditation is the resource Sociology departments use to assure the public that their students complete high quality programs that meet the needs of graduates and society-at-large. The Commission's priorities are to:

  • Accredit programs in sociological practice (applied, clinical, engaged public, translational, and forensic sociology) in higher education sociology and interdisciplinary departments
  • Advocate for Sociology in the areas of occupational licensing and certification
  • Disseminate program models and resources to departments interested in developing programs in applied, clinical, and engaged public sociology and sociological practice