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Next COA meeting

June 8-11, 2022

Recognizing Organization

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In accordance with the requirements of CSWE's recognition body, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the CSWE Department of Social Work Accreditation (DOSWA) administers a multistep accreditation process that involves program self-studies, site visits, and COA reviews.

ACCREDITATION

TRAINING STANDARDS PROCESS DIRECTORY INFO LEARN MORE

About CSWE Accreditation


CSWE's Commission on Accreditation (COA) is responsible for developing accreditation standards that define competent preparation and ensuring that social work programs meet these standards. In accordance with the requirements of CSWE's recognition body, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the CSWE Office of Social Work Accreditation administers a multistep accreditation process that involves program self-studies, site visits, and COA reviews.

Current Number of Social Work Programs

As of the February 2022 COA meeting, there are

  • 542 accredited baccalaureate programs
  • 309 accredited master's programs
  • 13 baccalaureate programs in candidacy
  • 27 master's programs in candidacy
  • 4 baccalaureate programs in pre-candidacy
  • 11 master's programs in pre-candidacy

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

CHEA, the organization that recognizes CSWE, has several new resources about degree mills and accreditation mills. Learn more about the problem and how to combat it at the CHEA website.

CSWE encourages all field coordinators and program directors to fully understand the Department of Labor factsheet about internships and share this information liberally with students and field site personnel.

CSWE seeks to assist accredited programs with understanding and responding to regional accreditation standards related to faculty qualifications for teaching. We encourage you to read this document and contact your accreditation specialist if you have questions or need further assistance.

Accreditation COVID-19 Response (Last Updated December 7)

Accreditation resources related to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19)

Frequently-Asked Questions

Answers to our most frequently-asked questions

October 2021 COA Decisions

Decisions ratified at the October 2021 COA Meeting (decisions posted 30 days after each meeting; February 2022 COA decisions will be published Wednesday, March 9)

Self-Study Volume I Template (Reaffirmation and Initial Accreditation)

Benchmark I Volume I Template

Benchmark II Volume I Template

Optional formatted templates that includes all standards and their components, to comprise Volume I of the full document once completed.

Accreditation Presentations

PowerPoint presentations by accreditation staff

Interpretation Guide

Regularly updated reference source for COA's interpretation of each standard

Accreditation Handbook

Handbook of Accreditation Policies and Procedures

Resources

Forms, templates, and resources to assist in preparing for accreditation review

Site Visit Resources

Resources related to site visits for both programs and visitors

2015 EPAS

Download a copy of the 2015 EPAS (Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards)

Information

Information regarding the Department of Social Work Accreditation and Commission on Accreditation

Training

Information regarding training opportunities

Contact Accreditation

Accreditation staff contact information

CSWE Accreditation Scope, Services, & Resources

Appropriate accreditation staff contact for each communication type

Importance of Diversity and Social Justice in Social Work Competencies (Statement from CSWE President and CEO) 

Requiring programs to achieve and maintain competency in the areas of diversity, privilege, oppression, and intersectionality has been central to social work accreditation standards since 1952. 

Statement on Cairn University Concerns With Draft 2022 EPAS

Statement released by CSWE regarding Cairn University's decision to end its baccalaureate and master’s social work programs.