October 2019 COA Decisions
Council on Social Work Education Commission on Accreditation
Notice of Accreditation Actions
Accrediting agencies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation are required to notify the public of the basis for final accreditation decisions. The Commission on Accreditation (COA) meets this requirement by publishing a notice of accreditation actions on its website after each Commission meeting. COA meetings take place three times a year, in February, June, and October.
The COA took the following actions at its October 2019 meeting regarding the social work programs sponsored by the institutions listed below. Actions taken below are listed by decision category. Standards referenced in this report can be reviewed in our 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards and 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Grant Candidacy Status
The COA finds that the program is in compliance with Benchmark I and grants the program Candidacy status. The decision letter instructs the program to prepare Benchmark II in preparation for its Commissioner Visit II.
Baccalaureate
- Fairfield University (CT)
- Newman University (KS)
- St. Ambrose University (IA)
Master's
- Alvernia University (PA)
- Fairfield University (CT)
- Idaho State University (ID)
- Northcentral University (CA)
- Universidad Ana G. Mendez – Gurabo Campus (PR)
Defer a Decision on Granting Candidacy Status
The COA decides to defer a decision when the program’s documentation is insufficient to make a decision. A deferral is for one meeting only. Before the next commission meeting the program is expected to submit the documentation or clarification necessary for the COA to make a decision.
Baccalaureate
- Binghamton University, State University of New York (NY), based on Administrative Structure
- Point University (GA), based on Admissions
Grant a Second Year of Candidacy
The COA finds that the program is in compliance with Benchmark II and grants the program a second year in Candidacy. The decision letter instructs the program to prepare its Initial Accreditation Self-Study in preparation for its Commissioner Visit III.
Baccalaureate
- Methodist College (IL)
Master's
- Bowling Green State University (OH)
- Carlow University (PA)
- College of Saint Rose (NY)
- Louisiana College (LA)
- Montclair State University (NJ)
- Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff (AZ)
- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (WI)
Grant Initial Accreditation for 4 Years
The COA finds the program in compliance with all accreditation standards and educational policy and grants accreditation for 4 years.
Baccalaureate
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto Aguadilla (PR)
- University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (AR)
Defer a Decision on Initial Accreditation
The COA decides to defer a decision when the program’s documentation is insufficient to make a decision. A deferral is for one meeting only. Before the next commission meeting the program is expected to submit the documentation or clarification necessary for the COA to make a decision.
Baccalaureate
- Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TX), based on Diversity and Assessment
Reaffirm Accreditation for 8 Years
The COA finds the program in compliance with all educational policy and accreditation standards and the program was granted continued accreditation for 8 years.
Baccalaureate
- Alabama A&M University (AL)
- Andrews University (MI)
- Humboldt State University (CA)
- Long Island University Post (NY)
- Mount Vernon Nazarene University (OH)
- New York University (NY)
- North Central University (MN)
- Ohio Dominican University (OH)
- Saint Martin's University (WA)
- Taylor University (IN)
- University of Georgia (GA)
- University of Texas of the Permian Basin (TX)
- Virginia Wesleyan University (VA)
- West Chester University (PA)
Master's
- Alabama A&M University (AL)
- Andrews University (MI)
- Boston College (MA)
- Humboldt State University (CA)
- Indiana State University (IN)
- New York University (NY)
- Portland State University (OR)
- St. Ambrose University (IA)
- University at Buffalo, State University of New York (NY)
- University of Georgia (GA)
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
- Walden University (MN)
Reaffirm Accreditation for 8 Years With a Progress Report
The COA finds the program in compliance with all educational policy and accreditation standards but identifies one or more areas of concern that must be addressed in a progress report. The program was granted continued accreditation for 8 years, with a progress report to be submitted within 1 year.
Baccalaureate
- Bennett College (NC), based on Field Education
- Bowling Green State University (OH), based on Assessment
- Florida State University (FL), based on Administrative Structure and Resources
- Lincoln University (MO), based on Advisement, retention, and termination
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Ponce (PR), based on Diversity and Faculty
- Seton Hall University (NJ), based on Advisement, retention, and termination; Faculty; Administrative Structure; and Assessment
- Universidad Ana G. Mendez–Gurabo Campus (PR), based on Diversity; Admissions; Advisement, retention, and termination; Faculty; and Assessment
- University of North Alabama (AL), based on Faculty
- University of North Florida (FL), based on Assessment
- University of Southern Indiana (IN), based on Diversity and Faculty
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN), based on Admissions
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI), based on Student Participation and Assessment
- Virginia Union University (VA), based on Generalist Practice; Advisement, retention, and termination; Administrative Structure; and Resources
- Walla Walla University (WA), based on Mission and Goals; Generalist Education; Advisement, retention, and termination; Resources; and Assessment
- West Liberty University (WV), based on Assessment
Master’s
- Florida State University (FL), based on Administrative Structure and Assessment
- Johnson C. Smith University (NC), based on Faculty; Administrative Structure; and Assessment
- Spring Arbor University (MI), based on Assessment
- University of Cincinnati (OH), Generalist Practice
- University of Southern Indiana (IN), based on Field Education
- Walla Walla University (WA), based on Mission and Goals; Generalist Practice; Field Education; Resources; and Assessment
Defer a Decision on Reaffirmation of Accreditation to the Next Meeting and Request Clarifying Information
The COA decides to defer a decision when the program’s documentation is insufficient to make a decision. A deferral is for one meeting only. Before the next commission meeting the program is expected to submit the documentation or clarification necessary for the COA to make a decision.
Baccalaureate
- Benedict College (SC), based on Assessment
- Michigan State University (MI), based on Resources
- Prairie View A&M University (TX), based on Faculty and Assessment
Master's
- California State University, Monterey Bay (CA), based on Mission and Goals and Assessment
- Concord University (WV), based on Generalist Practice and Specialized Practice
- Michigan State University (MI), based on Resources
- University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus (PR), based on Specialized Practice and Field Education
Accept First Progress Report
All areas of concern were addressed in the progress report, and no further action by the program is required.
Baccalaureate
- Alvernia University (PA)
- Buena Vista University (IA)
- Kutztown University (PA)
- Miami University (OH)
- Saint Louis University (MO)
- Southwest Minnesota State University (MN)
- Texas Tech University (TX)
- Tuskegee University (AL)
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Arecibo (PR)
- University of Michigan-Flint (MI)
- University of Portland (OR)
- Walden University (MN)
Master's
- Binghamton University, State University of New York (NY)
- Kutztown University (PA)
Receive First Progress Report and Request a Second Progress Report
The COA finds that one or more of the concerns in the first progress report are still areas of concern and requests a second progress report to be submitted within 1 year. The COA’ s letter identifies specific areas of concern and a due date for the progress report. If the second progress report is not accepted, the program is automatically placed on conditional accreditation.
Baccalaureate
- Kentucky Christian University (KY), based on Generalist Practice, Diversity, and Assessment
- Universidad Ana G. Mendez–Carolina Campus (PR), based on Field Education and Faculty
Master's
- Greater Miami Valley MASW Collaborative (Miami University and Wright State University) (OH), based on Faculty and Resources
- Saint Louis University (MO), based on Assessment
Accept Second Progress Report
All areas of concern were addressed in the progress report, and no further action by the program is required.
Master's
- George Mason University (VA)
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Ponce (PR)
Accept Modified Site Visit Report
All areas of concern were addressed by the modified site visit, and no further action by the program is required.
Baccalaureate
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico Recinto Fajardo (PR)
Restore Accredited Status and Request a Progress Report
A program on Conditional Accredited Status submitted a restoration report to have full accreditation restored. The COA review of the program's restoration report finds that the program has taken corrective action and is in compliance with all standards, but identifies one or more areas of concern that must be addressed in a progress report. The program was granted continued accreditation, with a progress report to be submitted within 1 year.
Baccalaureate
- Utah Valley University (UT), based on Assessment
Place on Conditional Accredited Status
The COA finds the program out of compliance with one or more educational policy and/or accreditation standards and places it on conditional accredited status if it believes that noncompliance issues can be resolved by the program within 1 year. The COA’s letter identifies specific areas of noncompliance. Conditional status is an adverse decision, and programs may request reconsideration. If the program accepts the COA’s decision, it submits a restoration report. Programs remain accredited while on Ccaditional accredited status. If corrective actions have not been taken within 1 year, the COA will move to withdraw accredited status.
Baccalaureate
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale (IL), based on Mission and Goals; Field Education; Diversity; Admissions; Advisement, retention, and termination; Faculty; Administrative Structure; Resources; and Assessment
Master’s
- Hunter College, City University of New York (NY), based on Faculty and Assessment
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale (IL), based on Faculty and Resources
Issue a Letter of Instructions to the Site Visitor
A Letter of Instructions is provided to the site visitor and program specifying accreditation standards that the visitor is instructed to address.
Baccalaureate
- Appalachian State University (NC)
- Brandman University (CA)
- Brescia University (KY)
- Christopher Newport University (VA)
- Colorado State University-Pueblo (CO)
- Creighton University (NE)
- Delaware State University (DE)
- East Central University (OK)
- Elms College (MA)
- Florida Memorial University (FL)
- Freed-Hardeman University (TN)
- Grambling State University (LA)
- Jacksonville State University (AL)
- Keuka College (NY)
- La Sierra University (CA)
- Lamar University (TX)
- Lancaster Bible College (PA)
- Mercyhurst University (PA)
- Minnesota State University, Moorhead (MN)
- Minot State University (ND)
- Our Lady of the Lake University (TX)
- Saginaw Valley State University (MI)
- Southeast Missouri State University (MO)
- Syracuse University (NY)
- Union Institute & University (OH)
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto Metropolitano (PR)
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock (AR)
- University of Illinois at Springfield (IL)
- University of Maine at Presque Isle (ME)
- University of Memphis (TN)
- University of Missouri-St. Louis (MO)
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas (NV)
- University of Saint Francis (IN)
- Western New Mexico University (NM)
Master’s
- Appalachian State University (NC)
- California State University, San Marcos (CA)
- Delaware State University (DE)
- Erikson Institute (IL)
- Grambling State University (LA)
- Howard University (DC)
- North Carolina A&T State University / University of North Carolina at Greensboro Collaborative (NC)
- Our Lady of the Lake University (TX)
- Quinnipiac University (CT)
- Syracuse University (NY)
- Troy University (AL)
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto Metropolitano (PR)
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock (AR)
- University of Chicago (IL)
- University of Houston (TX)
- University of Illinois at Chicago (IL)
- University of Missouri (MO)
- University of Missouri-St. Louis (MO)
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas (NV)
- Youngstown State University (OH)
Accept Program-Requested Withdrawal
The program has requested to withdraw its accredited status, and the COA has approved this request.
Baccalaureate
- College of New Rochelle (NY)
- St. Catherine University and University of Saint Thomas Collaborative (MN)
Master's
- Greater Rochester Collaborative MASW Program (Nazareth College and SUNY-Brockport) (NY)
- St. Catherine University and University of Saint Thomas Collaborative (MN)