History
The Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) was founded in 2003 by the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and the Academy of Dispensing Audiologists, now the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), to develop educational standards for academic institutions offering the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree in the United States.
The transition of the profession to doctoral level education necessitated establishing standards specific to this level of training, as well as a process for assuring that academic programs met their obligations to appropriately educate the next generation of audiologists.
Thus, the ACAE was founded and charged with developing academic standards that assured the public, the government, other health professions, and the patients they serve that the next generation of audiologists will be educated and trained to the highest standards. In January 2003, the ACAE filed its Articles of Incorporation and was officially recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation.
Since its founding, the ACAE has developed and adopted educational standards as well as policies and procedures consistent with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) guidelines and the United States Department of Education (USDE). The ACAE has been recognized by CHEA since 2012, and all ACAE accredited AuD programs are housed in institutions recognized by the USDE. The ACAE also created the first web-based online accreditation system in specialized/programmatic accreditation.
Mission
The Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) serves the public by establishing, maintaining and applying standards to ensure the academic quality and continuous improvement of audiology education that reflects the evolving practice of audiology.
Purpose
The purpose of ACAE accreditation is to recognize, reinforce, and promote high quality performance in AuD education programs through a rigorous verification process. This process will produce evidence that AuD programs have prepared doctoral-level graduates who are qualified to be independent practicing audiologists. Graduates will be at the point-of-entry to the US and international health-care systems for the diagnosis and treatment of hearing and balance disorders.
Specifically, the professional at this level will demonstrate readiness for limited license practitioner status in the US.
Accreditation also assures communities of interest that graduates will be able to function according to the national scope of practice, as defined by the professional organization.
ACAE Governance
ACAE Board of Directors
The governing body of ACAE is the Board of Directors which is composed of members who represent academic programs, administrators, professional practice, and the public.
ACAE Standards
The standards are divided into six segments: Eligibility, Institutional and Administrative Structure, Mission/Goals/Objectives - Planning and Evaluation, Curricular, Faculty (Didactic and Clinical) and Health and Safety.
ACAE Accreditation Manual
The manual details the application process, eligibility, fees and guidelines for both Accreditation and Developing Status.
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Recognition
At its meeting on January 24, 2022, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Board of Directors reviewed the recommendation of the CHEA Committee on Recognition regarding the recognition application submitted by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE). The Board of Directors accepted the committee recommendation and recognized ACAE for the following recognized scope of accreditation:
Doctor of Audiology Degree (AuD) awarded by programs in institutions throughout the US that have the legal authority to confer higher education degrees. (2012)
A national advocate and institutional voice for academic quality through accreditation, CHEA is a U.S. association of degree-granting colleges and universities and recognizes institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations. CHEA is the only national organization focused exclusively on higher education accreditation and quality assurance.
Get Involved
Volunteer
Want to get involved with ACAE? Volunteer for the ACAE Board of Directors or become a site evaluator.
ACAE Audiology Partners
The ACAE extends thanks to all of its partners and appreciates the many interactions and collaborations it has with them over the course of a year.
Learn more about our partners by clicking each organization's logo.
