Accreditation is a systematic and rigorous process centered around CSWE’s vision of a well-educated social work profession that is equipped to promote health, well-being, and justice for all people in a diverse society.
Our peer-reviewed accreditation process balances requirements of comparable outcomes across programs with a level of flexibility that encourages differentiation based on the program’s context. Accreditation ensures that social work programs have clearly defined missions and objectives that are achievable and consistent with expectations of social work practice.
CSWE-accredited programs are held to higher standards of responsibility for educating students to be respectful and responsible social workers for diverse cultures and communities. Graduates from CSWE-accredited undergraduate and graduate social work education programs should be prepared to critically think, problem solve, and advocate for justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity.
At the core of social work education is the responsibility to create and sustain healthy communities and contribute positively to the public good. The fundamental goal of CSWE accreditation is to ensure quality education and preparation of social workers to carry out that responsibility.
Social work is a public service field founded on core values of justice, dignity and worth of a person, human relations, integrity, and competence. CSWE accreditation standards are grounded in these core values and engage competent and qualified educators and community partners to ensure student competency in research, policy, theory, and practice of social work.
CSWE’s Board of Accreditation is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CHEA recognition assures the public that CSWE’s Board of Accreditation is competent to engage in quality reviews of social work programs based on the CHEA recognition standards.
Accreditation and degree mills can mislead students and the public about the quality of a program or institution. Such degrees and accreditation may not be recognized by other institutions, employers, or licensing boards. Learn more about the problem and how to combat it at the CHEA website.
Students attending a CSWE-accredited social work program can be assured that their program is committed to quality and to educating students on social work competencies necessary to enter practice. Attending a CSWE-accredited program may help graduates qualify for employment or licensure that require completion of a CSWE-accredited degree. CSWE accreditation standards apply to all social work programs, including those with online or on-campus formats.
CSWE-accredited social work programs ensure the program’s mission is aligned with social work competencies to prepare students for professional practice. These programs engage in continuous quality improvement, ensuring that students are prepared to practice safely, competently, and ethically with all clients, constituents, and the public. Programs are reviewed for reaffirmation of accreditation every 8 years.
Through social work competencies, graduates of CSWE-accredited programs are prepared for holistic professional practice based on scientific inquiry and best practices consistent with social work values. The CSWE Board of Accreditation (BOA) reviews baccalaureate level programs for generalist practice competencies, master's level programs for generalist and specialized practice competencies based on one or more areas of specialized practice, and practice doctorate programs for core expertise and skills within one or more areas of focus from a practitioner-scholar perspective.
Graduating from a CSWE-accredited social work program does not guarantee an individual job placement or licensure, but it may facilitate this process. Most state and U.S. territory requirements stipulate that a social worker pursuing licensure or sitting for a licensing exam be a graduate of a CSWE-accredited program.
A pillar of accreditation is public accountability and transparency. This means the public can trust that CSWE-accredited programs have the resources, administrative structure, and curriculum to ensure graduates are prepared to provide competent and ethical social work services.
CSWE’s Board of Accreditation (BOA) recognizes social work education programs in the United States and its territories.
The BOA accredits:
If your CSWE-accredited or candidate social work education program needs consultation on the accreditation process, accreditation standards, or interpretations, then schedule a 30-minute consultation with your program’s CSWE accreditation specialist.
Consultations are offered to social work education programs year-round via e-mail, phone, and videoconferencing. The accreditation team also provides services at CSWE’s Annual Conference.
A program’s primary contact may contact the program’s CSWE accreditation specialist via the scheduling application conveniently linked in their email signature. Accreditation staff communicate with the program’s primary contact and authorized designees.
CSWE does not permit the recording of consultations. If an individual requires an accommodation-related request to record a consultation, contact your program’s CSWE accreditation specialist. CSWE is not a legislative interpreter nor a legal entity. Legal counsel is not permitted to attend accreditation consultation services reserved for social work education programs.
Accreditation staff do not determine compliance. CSWE’s BOA is the accreditation decision-making authority, and the sole and final arbiter of compliance. Accreditation staff do not conduct document reviews, provide written feedback, or offer live or on-demand reviews of written materials.
Consultations are available to CSWE-accredited and candidate social work education programs only. For public inquiries, contact CSWE at (703) 683-8080 or at [email protected] to locate the staff member who can best respond to your inquiry. Review our accreditation FAQs here.
Substantive Change Process: Click here to learn more about obtaining approval to offer a new program option at an accredited baccalaureate, master's, or practice doctorate program.
New Program Applicants: Click here to learn more about starting a new baccalaureate, master's or practice doctorate program
Visit our training site for previous presentation slide decks and upcoming opportunities.
Communication Frequency
It is important to keep a line of communication open between the accreditation staff and program for timely and consistent contact. Programs are responsible for selecting a primary contact and reporting certain changes. Accreditation staff send periodic news and updates via email to the program’s primary contact after BOA meetings and as-needed.
Unsure whom to contact? Email [email protected].
External Accreditation-related Information
CSWE’s accreditation team is your primary and verified source of information. If you are unsure of information received from an external source, confirm accuracy with your program’s CSWE accreditation specialist.
Neither the BOA nor accreditation staff review, comment on, appraise, nor endorse external presentations, publications, resources, or consultants. Accreditation consultations and BOA review processes are confidential. Staff do not share program-specific information with other stakeholders, including other programs. This includes discussing other program’s compliance plans, sharing samples, offering networking connections, identifying programmatic innovations, etc.
Program Role & Responsibility
Accreditation is an elective, program-driven, and self-managed peer-review process. Programs are responsible for meeting all deadlines associated with submission(s) of accreditation materials.
Programs are solely responsible for implementing, demonstrating, and maintaining compliance with accreditation standards. Thus, it is important to understand all tools and resources available to you to successfully navigate accreditation. Programs must also demonstrate honesty and integrity in submitting materials for candidacy, reaffirmation, or other accreditation-related review processes. For more information, consult our accreditation handbook.
CSWE is committed to continuous quality improvement—and we appreciate your participation and feedback! When resources, policies, procedures, and interpretations are clarified or developed, CSWE staff will send e-mail updates.
In all exchanges, program representatives and accreditation staff engage in mutually respectful communication. Accreditation staff reserve the right to terminate services and request supervisory support.
Accredited by: CSWE BOA
Practice Level: Generalist Practice
Model: Competency-based
Description/Focus: Grounded in the liberal arts and the person-in-environment framework. Practitioners use a range of prevention and intervention methods in their practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, based on scientific inquiry and best practices. Practitioner identifies with the social work profession and applies ethical principles and critical thinking in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Engage in research informed practice and are proactive in responding to the impact of context on professional practice.
Accredited by: CSWE BOA
Practice Level: Specialized Practice
Model: Competency-based
Description/Focus: Demonstrates an ability to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate across client populations, problem areas, and methods of intervention. Extends and enhances the nine social work competencies that are demonstrated in observable behaviors indicative of competence in specialized areas of professional practice. Synthesizes and uses knowledge and skills necessary for interprofessional collaborations based on scientific inquiry and best practices, consistent with social work values. Engages in both research and advocacy in their commitment to changing structural inequities and to informing and improving practice, policy, and service delivery.
Accredited by: CSWE BOA
Practice Level: Doctoral Practice
Model: Practitioner-Scholar Perspective
Description/Focus: Develops, translates, and advances social work practice knowledge. Uses and evaluates research-informed practice critically to translate and innovate social work practice. Engages in systematic inquiry and apply and disseminate research-informed knowledge, values, ethics, and skills in social work through practice, professional leadership, and/or teaching. Demonstrates advance practice through innovative approaches. Uses and critically evaluate research and knowledge, engages in scientific inquiry that reflects doctoral level scholarship. Develops and disseminates practice-relevant research-informed knowledge through a variety of channels, provides leadership in social work practice and/or education, and develops and maintains substantive expertise in one or more areas of social work practice.
Accredited by: Institutional Accreditors
Practice Level: Research/Academic
Model: N/A
Description/Focus: Per 2023 GADE guidelines: "Prepares students to be scientists, scholars, and stewards of the discipline. Prepares graduates to develop substantive knowledge in an area of specialization, be able to conduct independent research, and have transferable skills and competencies for productive employability.”