The call for applications to fill vacancies on the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) and the CAA Nominating Committee is now open. These volunteer positions have terms that begin January 1, 2024.
The CAA Nominating Committee is soliciting applications to fill six (6) anticipated vacancies on the CAA. These positions have terms beginning January 1, 2024. The term lengths are noted below. The CAA accredits clinical doctoral degree programs in audiology and master’s degree programs in speech-language pathology. It is composed of 18 individuals who are academics and practitioners from both professions as well as one public member. The full description of the CAA’s composition and roles and responsibilities can be found in Chapter V, Operation of the Council on Academic Accreditation, in the Accreditation Handbook [PDF].
Applicants for academic positions must:
In addition, the nominating committee encourages individuals who have one or more of the following characteristics to apply for an academic position:
Because no more than one individual from a specific educational institution may serve on the CAA at any time, individuals from the following institutions will not be eligible to serve in 2024: California State University San Marcos, Nova Southeastern University, Rockhurst University, Samford University, University of Alabama, University of Iowa, University of Louisville, University of Michigan, and University of South Alabama.
Applicants for practitioner positions must:
An adjunct or complimentary appointment to a graduate education program shall not disqualify practitioner members, provided they are employed full time in a non-university setting. Employment in more than one position or agency may be combined to meet the full-time requirement (i.e., at least 32 hours per week).
In addition, the nominating committee encourages individuals who have one or more of the following characteristics to apply for a practitioner position:
Because no more than one individual from a specific clinical facility may serve on the CAA at any time, individuals from the following institutions will not be eligible to serve in 2024: Community Partners (IL), Texas Children's Hospital, Rochester Institute of Technology – National Technical Institute for the Deaf, and University of Michigan Medicine.
Individuals interested in serving on the CAA should be familiar with the CAA's charge to understand the responsibilities involved. Service on the CAA will require commitment and time. During certain periods of the year, it is anticipated that CAA members may expect to devote an average of 4–6 hours per week to CAA activities. Members establish accreditation standards, conduct in-depth evaluations of candidacy, accreditation, and reaccreditation applications to determine compliance with established standards, accredit qualified graduate programs, and monitor compliance during the period of candidacy and accreditation through review of annual reports. The CAA relies heavily on technology to conduct program reviews and other CAA work.
The CAA holds three multi-day meetings per year, either virtually or in-person at the ASHA National Office in Rockville, Maryland. The winter meeting is typically held in February or March. The summer meeting is typically held in July. The fall meeting is typically held in late September. In addition, CAA members are expected to participate virtually in candidacy program reviews for two partial days each May, as needed.
All council members are assigned to at least one committee for which activities and meetings are conducted throughout the year and will include additional virtual meetings between the scheduled full CAA meetings. Expenses for attendance at the meetings in Rockville are reimbursed in accordance with ASHA’s Volunteer Travel Policies. Attendance and participation at the CAA’s meetings, both in person and virtually, is expected for the duration of the term.
Adjunct or complimentary appointment to an institution or facility shall not disqualify individuals to serve as a voting member on the CAA provided they meet all other criteria for service. A full description of the CAA’s composition, roles and responsibilities, etc. are found in Chapter V of the Accreditation Handbook [PDF].
The CAA is soliciting applications to fill four (4) anticipated vacancies on the CAA Nominating Committee. These positions have 1-year terms beginning January 1, 2024. The CAA Nominating Committee is composed of five people with the responsibility to recruit and verify the qualifications of individuals in order to fill vacancies on the CAA. A former CAA member will serve as chair of the committee. The full description of the CAA Nominating Committee's composition, roles, and procedures can be found in Chapter VI, Nominating Committee, in the Accreditation Handbook [PDF].
The committee’s work will be conducted by email, and through conference calls and/or other communication platforms, including a web-based application portal. Each member is expected to participate fully in the activities of the group. Comfort with using technology (e.g., website, blog) is essential to support the work of the committee. Familiarity with the CAA’s accreditation program is encouraged. The committee requires no in-person meetings in order to conduct its work. A full description of the CAA Nominating Committee responsibilities are found in Chapter VI of the Accreditation Handbook [PDF].
Individuals who are interested to apply for a vacant position must complete an online application, which includes completing a questionnaire and uploading your CV (10 pages or less). Use your ASHA website login credentials to access the application portal. To be considered for any vacant position, your application must be completed and submitted by May 11, 2023.
This application period is only for those interested in filling the vacant positions listed above. Individuals interested to serve as CAA Site Visitors will have the opportunity to submit an application during the next recruitment period in the fall of 2023.
The CAA Nominating Committee will prepare a slate of candidates from the applications received, consisting of at least two individuals for each position. The slate and election ballots for the academic positions will be sent to all CAA-accredited programs in late August/early September. Notification will be made at the close of the election in September.
The CAA’s Officers Nominating Committee and the CAA chair or designee will prepare a slate of candidates from the applications received that will consist of at least two individuals for each position. CAA members will select the Nominating Committee members by simple majority vote of the full council. Notification will be made in August.
Contact Gretchen Ehret Hoshaw, chief accreditation officer at ASHA, at gehret@asha.org.