Through IACS accreditation, on campus professional counseling centers:

1. Benefit from external peer review and validation—provides a professional evaluation from current and past center directors experienced in achieving and maintaining accreditation standards, especially important because of the confidential, data-sensitive nature of student counseling centers.
2. Enhance the status of the center in the university community—represents a stamp of approval that is recognized in higher education and viewed positively by administration. Site visits include interviews with staff in all departments that may have interaction with the counseling center.
3. Validate compliance with national standards and best practices—confirms to campus administration that the center is meeting the recognized standards in the field.
4. Manage risk, quality assurance and accountability—safeguards the integrity of the center, especially critical in litigation issues.
5. Refine operations and policies—delivers a detailed report, including recommended adjustments, and promotes healthy self-appraisal.
6. Enhance staff recruitment—strengthens advantage in attracting more qualified candidates.
7. Leverage the center’s budget needs—helps secure funding for professional development, additional staff and facility changes. Site visitors do an excellent job of educating administration on what standards should be and why accreditation is important, reinforcing the importance of the center's role on campus.
8. Strengthen credibility and prestige—enhances public relations for the center and the school with students and parents.
9. Expand networking resources—shares access to IACS staff and Advisory Council, as well as other accredited centers.
10. Ensure the mental health care provided to students meets the gold standard.