Must the director of a counseling center have a doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology for the center to obtain accreditation?
No. The IACS Standards do not require this specific degree, but a director’s degree must have relevance in terms of the counseling profession. In order for the doctorate to be waived, counseling center directors must hold at least a master’s degree in a counseling related field, which included a supervised field placement; have graduate level training in clinical and professional functioning; have a minimum of five years experience in a clinical and/or counseling setting; be able to provide evidence of involvement and commitment to educational and professional development; and a licensed, registered or certified professional must be present in the counseling service who has a doctorate in a counseling related field and is responsible for the clinical services. See the “Equivalency Criteria: Non Doctorate” section of the IACS Standards for more detailed information.
