Additionally the CAS standards can be used to guide the establishment of new programs since they are a readily available and professionally supported tools. Graduate preparation Many graduate preparation programs integrate the CAS standards as part of their curricula. Quality assurance concepts can be difficult to grasp for graduate students until you can connect the idea of applying standards to actual practice. Many college student affairs programs use the CAS standards in their practicum and internship components. Their students complete self-studies of the specific functional areas where they have been assigned and this experience helps them internalize the CAS standards and provides them with direct experience that can improve their ability to use standards in entry-level positions. References Sources Council of Student Personnel Associations in Higher Education. (1994; 1972). "Student development services in post-secondary education". In A. L. Rentz (Ed.), Student affairs: A profession's heritage. Washington, DC: American College Personnel Association, pp. 428–447. Creamer, D. G. (2003). Research needed on the use of CAS standards and guidelines. College Student Affairs Journal, 22:2, 109–124. Arminio, J. & Gochenaur, P. (2004). After 16 years of publishing standards, do CAS standards make a difference? College Student Affairs Journal, 23, 51–65. External links Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education website Educational organizations based in the United States