February 2019 COA Decisions

February 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 Commission on Accreditation (COA) took the following actions at its February 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

  • Alverno College (WI)
  • Universidad Ana G. Mendez – Cupey Campus (PR)
  • University of Connecticut (CT)

Master's

  • Brandman University
  • Regis College
  • York College, City University of New York 

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.

Master's

  • Southwestern Assemblies of God University (TX), based on Mission and Goals, Generalist Practice, Field Education, Admissions, Administrative Structure, and Resources

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.

Master's

  • Auburn University (AL)
  • Concordia University Wisconsin (WI)
  • Lewis University (IL)
  • Southeastern University (FL)
  • Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TX)

Defer a Decision on Second Year of Candidacy

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

  • Gwynedd Mercy University (PA), based on Resources and Assessment

Master's

  • Bowling Green State University (OH), based on Faculty
  • Saginaw Valley State University (MI), based on Specialized Practice
  • University of North Florida (FL), based on Specialized Practice and Admissions
  • Utah Valley University (UT), based on Generalist Practice, Admissions, and Assessment

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

  • Liberty University (VA)

Master's

  • Brescia University (KY)
  • California Baptist University (CA)
  • Tarleton State University (TX)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham (AL)
  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (TN)

Grant Initial Accreditation for 4 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 that the COA will review. The COA’s letter identifies specific areas of concern for the progress report that will be due within one year.

Baccalaureate

  • Walden University (MN), based on Diversity and Advisement, retention, and termination

Master's

  • Northeastern Illinois University (IL), based on Assessment
  • Sacred Heart University (CT), based on Diversity and Faculty
  • Marshall University (WV), based on Resources and Assessment

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

  • Fort Valley State University (GA), based on Assessment
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University (TN), based on Field Education, Diversity, Faculty, and Assessment

Master's

  • Indiana Wesleyan University (IN), based on Diversity
  • University of Indianapolis (IN), based on Generalist Practice, Specialized Practice, 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

  • Bethel College (KS)
  • Boise State University (ID)
  • Brigham Young University-Idaho (ID)
  • Eastern University (PA)
  • Grand Valley State University (MI)
  • Kansas State University (KS)
  • McDaniel College (MD)
  • Messiah College (PA)
  • Park University (MO)
  • San Francisco State University (CA)
  • St. Edward's University (TX)
  • University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (AR)
  • University of Indianapolis (IN)
  • University of North Texas (TX)
  • University of Puerto Rico at Humacao (PR)
  • University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus (PR)
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (WI)
  • Washburn University (KS)

Master's

  • Cleveland State University (OH)
  • Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (PA)
  • Grand Valley State University (MI)
  • Northern Kentucky University (KY)
  • Ohio State University (OH)
  • Park University (MO)
  • University of Toledo (OH)
  • Washburn University (KS)

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

  • Capital University (OH), based on Field Education; Advisement, retention, and termination; and Assessment
  • Cleveland State University (OH), based on Generalist Practice
  • Concord University (WV), based on Faculty
  • George Fox University (OR), based on Field Education
  • Jackson State University (MS), based on Faculty and Resources
  • San Diego State University (CA), based on Faculty and Assessment
  • Stockton University (NJ), based on Faculty and Assessment
  • Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TX), based on Assessment
  • Union College (NE), based on Field Education
  • University of Kentucky (KY), based on Administrative Structure
  • Wright State University (OH), based on Generalist Practice, Administrative Structure, Resources, and Assessment

Master’s

  • Boise State University (ID), based on Advisement, retention, and termination
  • Jackson State University (MS), based on Administrative Structure and Resources
  • San Diego State University (CA), based on Diversity, Faculty, Administrative Structure, and Assessment
  • University of Kentucky (KY), based on Diversity, Administrative Structure, 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

  • Belmont University (TN), based on Assessment
  • University of Sioux Falls (SD), based on Diversity; Advisement, retention, and termination; Administrative Structure; and Assessment

Master's

  • Washington University in St. Louis (MO), based on Specialized Practice and Assessment

Accept First Progress Report

All areas of concern were addressed in the progress report, and no further action by the program is required.

Baccalaureate

  • California State University, Long Beach (CA)
  • College of Staten Island (NY)
  • Coppin State University (MD)
  • Fontbonne University (MO)
  • Franciscan University of Steubenville (OH)
  • Murray State University (KY)
  • Neumann University (PA)
  • Northern Arizona University, Yuma (AZ)
  • Rhode Island College (RI)
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (IL)

Master's

  • Albany State University (GA)
  • Capella University (MN)
  • Loma Linda University (CA)
  • Rhode Island College (RI)
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (IL)
  • University of Southern California (CA)
  • University of Texas at El Paso (TX)
  • Valdosta State University (GA)

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

  • College of Saint Scholastica (MN), based on Diversity, Faculty, and Administrative Structure
  • Missouri Southern State University (MO), based on Diversity

Master's

  • California State University, Long Beach (CA), based on Faculty
  • Daemen College (NY), based on assessment
  • North Carolina Central University (NC), based on Faculty
  • Seton Hall University (NJ), based on Administrative Structure and Assessment

Accept Second Progress Report

All areas of concern were addressed in the progress report, and no further action by the program is required.

Baccalaureate

  • Aurora University (IL)
  • University of Guam (GU)
  • University of Mississippi (MS)
  • University of West Florida (FL)
  • University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (WI)

Master's

  • Aurora University (IL)
  • University of Mississippi (MS)

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

  • California State University, Sacramento (CA), based on Generalist Practice; Advisement, retention, and termination; Faculty; Administrative Structure; Resources; and Assessment

Master's

  • California State University, Sacramento (CA), based on Generalist Practice; Field Education; Faculty; Administrative Structure; Resources; and Assessment

Place on Conditional Accredited Status

The COA finds the program out of compliance with one or more educational policy and/or accreditation standard 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 Conditional Accredited Status.

Baccalaureate

  • Medgar Evers College, City University of New York (NY), based on Faculty and Assessment, with a Progress Report based on Generalist Practice; Field Education; Advisement, retention, and termination; and Faculty
  • University of Toledo (OH), based on Faculty

Master’s

  • University of New England (ME), based on Faculty, with a Progress Report based on Mission and Goals; Diversity; Advisement, retention, and termination; Faculty; and Assessment

Issue a Letter of Instructions to the Site Visitor

A Letter of Instructions is provided to the site visitor and program specifying Accreditation Standards which the visitor is instructed to address.

Baccalaureate

  • Alabama A&M University (AL)
  • Benedict College (SC)
  • Bennett College (NC)
  • Bowling Green State University (OH)
  • Florida State University (FL)
  • Humboldt State University (CA)
  • Long Island University Post (NY)
  • Michigan State University (MI)
  • Mount Vernon Nazarene University (OH)
  • New York University (NY)
  • North Central University (MN)
  • Ohio Dominican University (OH)
  • Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Ponce (PR)
  • Prairie View A&M University (TX)
  • Saint Martin's University (WA)
  • Seton Hall University (NJ)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale (IL)
  • Taylor University (IN)
  • Universidad Ana G. Mendez – Gurabo Campus (PR)
  • University of Georgia (GA)
  • University of North Alabama (AL)
  • University of North Florida (FL)
  • University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
  • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
  • Virginia Union University (VA)
  • Virginia Wesleyan University (VA)
  • Walla Walla University (WA)
  • West Chester University (PA)
  • West Liberty University (WV)

Master’s

  • Alabama A&M University (AL)
  • Boston College (MA)
  • California State University, Monterey Bay (CA)
  • Concord University (WV)
  • Florida State University (FL)
  • Humboldt State University (CA)
  • Indiana State University (IN)
  • Johnson C. Smith University (NC)
  • Michigan State University (MI)
  • New York University (NY)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale (IL)
  • Spring Arbor University (MI)
  • St. Ambrose University (IA)
  • University at Buffalo, State University of New York (NY)
  • University of Cincinnati (OH)
  • University of Georgia (GA)
  • University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus (PR)
  • University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
  • Walden University (MN)
  • Walla Walla University (WA)