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


Please be sure to attend a CAPACS Informational Panel and/or

CAPACS ARC & SVT Training Workshop or Webinar

CAPACS Informational Panels

The Commission on the Accreditation of Programs in Applied and Clinical Sociology (CAPACS or the Commission) periodically hosts informational panels on "CAPACS Accreditation." The panels feature an overview of CAPACS as an accreditor of higher education programs in sociological practice (applied sociology, clinical sociology, engaged public sociology, translational sociology, and forensic sociology). Panelists discuss the Commission's accreditation standards, timelines, and benefits of CAPACS accreditation for programs and the profession. Focused content covers conventional accreditation reviews vs. virtual accreditation reviews during the COVID-19 pandemic; the global demand to accredit disciplinary and professional programs in the social and behavioral sciences as a process of external quality review; and the oversight of higher education accreditation commissions.

CAPACS is hosting informational panels on "Accrediting Your Undergraduate or Graduate Program in Sociological Practice: A Workshop on Process, Benefits, and Outcomes by the Commission on the Accreditation of Programs in Applied and Clinical Sociology" at the following conferences:

Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne, Australia

CAPACS Accreditation Review Committee and Site Visit Team Training Workshops and Webinars

The Commission on Accreditation of Programs in Applied and Clinical Sociology (CAPACS or the Commission) periodically conducts pre-conference "Accreditation Review Committee (ARC) and Site Visit Team (SVT) Training Workshops." During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission will post an ARC and SVT Training Webinar on a secure, password protected web page on the CAPACS website. The Commission will provide training materials and a passcode to invited participants for accessing the webinar. The Commission's training workshops and webinar are intended for (1) new Commissioners who will be joining the CAPACS Board of Directors, (2) current Commissioners as a "refresher" course, and (3) other professional sociologists, invited by the Commission, who are interested in participating on a CAPACS accreditation review committee or site visit team for reviewing higher education programs in sociological practice (applied sociology, clinical sociology, engaged public sociology, translational sociology, and forensic sociology). The Commission's training workshops and webinar cover the CAPACS Standards, Self-study Guidelines, Accreditation Policies and Procedures, and Review Process Guidelines. Participants who successfully complete a Commission training workshop or webinar may be eligible to join the CAPACS Board of Directors at a future date. Workshop and webinar activities include an interactive slideshow, live or recorded discussion, and exercise. There is no fee for the workshop or webinar. Training materials are furnished on-site for workshops, or by email or shared folder in Dropbox for the webinar. Please bookmark the CAPACS website and/or visit this CAPACS web page soon for more information on an upcoming CAPACS training workshop or webinar.

CAPACS is hosting an "Accreditation Review Committee (ARC) and Site Visit Team (SVT) Training Workshop" at the:

  • Annual Meeting of the Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology in Louisville, Kentucky, between October 6-8, 2022, at the historic Brown Hotel. The workshop will be conducted on Thursday, October 6, 2022, from 1:00 – 4:30 pm EDT in Citation A of the Brown Hotel (335 W Broadway; Louisville, KY 40202; Phone: 888-888-5252). Please use the SignUpGenius link to register your participation.
    • All Commissioners are invited to attend this workshop for reviewing the latest standards, policies and procedures, and review process guidelines.
    • Workshop materials will be provided to everyone in Louisville.
  • Please bookmark the “Meet the Commission” web page and return to the CAPACS website, periodically, for details on the assigned date/time and room. Visit the AACS Website for more information on AACS membership, conference registration, submission deadlines (all topics welcome), conference program, and travel and lodging.

Who is the CAPACS Training Workshop or Webinar For?

The Commission's training workshops and webinar are intended for new Commissioners who will be joining the CAPACS Board of Directors; current Commissioners, as a "refresher" course; and other professional sociologists, invited by the Commission, who are interested in participating on a CAPACS accreditation review committee and site visit team. The Commission's training workshops and webinar cover the CAPACS Standards, Self-Study Guidelines, Accreditation Policies and Procedures, and Review Process Guidelines.

What Happens After I Complete the CAPACS Training Workshop or Webinar?

Participants who successfully complete a Commission training workshop or webinar may serve as accreditors (reviewers) on CAPACS accreditation review committees and as site visitors on CAPACS site visit teams.

  • As "Accreditors," participants who successfully complete a CAPACS training workshop or webinar will be able to differentiate and apply five sets of industry-wide standards for professional programs supported by the Commission. Areas include institutional resources, program structure, practice experience, student learning goals and outcomes, and monitoring and quality control.
  • As "Site Visitors," participants who successfully complete a CAPACS training workshop or webinar will be able to conduct two- and three-day site of visits (or virtual site visits during the COVID-19 Pandemic) of applicant programs to determine program quality and effectiveness. On-site and virtual site visits engage successfully trained participants in semi-structured interviews with program faculty, students, alumni, advisory boards, administrators, and internship supervisors. Areas include matriculation, advisement, resources, curriculum, marketing, and program assessment and evaluation.