ATLANTA AND CHATTANOOGA (August 9, 2016) – In a time when U.S. suicide rates are steadily climbing and mental illness is at an all-time high*, Richmont continues to excel in training licensed counselors. The University has again proven its excellence by garnering accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the preeminent accrediting body for counselor education. CACREP is the highest form of accreditation to counseling programs, denoting excellence in academic and clinical performance.

A SACS-accredited university since 2003, Richmont received news of the additional accreditation last month after 3 years of extensive evaluation of its academic and clinical training programs. Richmont President Bob Rodgers says, “Richmont is proud to have its unique blend of professional excellence with Christian service approved by CACREP. This accreditation lends additional credibility to Richmont’s already outstanding reputation in the clinical counseling field.”

CACREP is specialized within the world of accreditation to assess graduate programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, signaling that the program’s content and quality have been evaluated to meet strict standards set by the profession. Choosing a CACREP-accredited school assures students they will gain the knowledge and experience necessary for licensure and clinical success in most states. Degrees granted by universities with CACREP accreditation lead to a smoother path toward licensure for new therapists all over the country.

“With the job market for mental health counselors projected to grow at more than twice the pace of the average growth for all occupations in the U.S.,** quality education for professional counselors has never been more important,” says Dr. Vanessa Snyder, Dean of Clinical Affairs. Dr. Snyder recently returned from leading a Trauma Team from Richmont to assist Syrian refugees and relief workers in camps in Greece.

Richmont Graduate University is a Christ-centered education and research institution committed to equipping graduates who function at the highest levels of clinical counseling and professional ministry. The University offers fully accredited graduate degree programs from its School of Counseling and School of Ministry. With campuses in Atlanta, Chattanooga, and online, Richmont is known for its distinguished faculty and unparalleled in-field training, including serving some 25,000 clients annually through ten community counseling centers near its campuses. Richmont is the oldest faith-integrated counseling program in the eastern U.S., and its graduates consistently rank among the top 15% nationwide in licensing test scores. The University enjoys a rich heritage beginning in 1935, with roots in Atlanta’s former Psychological Studies Institute (PSI) and the former Chattanooga Bible Institute.

*Source: http://www.nami.org
** Source: U.S. Dept of Labor, Health Guide USA