October 2020 COA Decisions

October 2020 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 meets in February, June, and October each year.

The COA took the following actions at its October 2020 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.

Master's

  • Grand Canyon University (AZ)
  • University of the Pacific (CA)

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

  • Fairfield University (CT)
  • Newman University (KS)
  • St. Ambrose University (IA)
  • University of Phoenix (AZ)

Master's

  • Northeastern State University (OK)
  • Universidad Ana G. Mendez – Gurabo Campus (PR)

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

  • Aultman College (OH), based on Advisement, retention, and termination
  • Binghamton University, State University of New York (NY), based on Assessment
  • Point University (GA), based on Generalist Practice

Master's

  • Alvernia University (PA), based on Assessment
  • Fairfield University (CT), based on Field Education and Advisement, retention, and termination
  • Northcentral University (CA), based on Generalist Practice; Specialized Practice; and Field Education

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.

Master's

  • Montclair State University (NJ)
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (WI)

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 1 year.

Master's

  • Northern Arizona University (AZ), based on Field Education, Admissions, and Assessment

Order an Additional Year of Candidacy

The COA finds that the program’s Initial Accreditation Self-Study needs further development and needs an additional year. The program should revise its Initial Accreditation Self-Study for an additional commissioner visit.

Master's

  • Louisiana College (LA), based on Faculty

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

  • Austin Peay State University (TN)
  • Colorado State University-Pueblo (CO)
  • Elms College (MA)
  • Keuka College (NY)
  • Lamar University (TX)
  • Marist College (NY)
  • Minnesota State University, Mankato (MN)
  • University of Arkansas at Little Rock (AR)
  • University of Maine at Presque Isle (ME)
  • University of Missouri (MO)
  • University of Nevada, Las Vegas (NV)
  • Western New Mexico University (NM)

Master's

  • Louisiana State University and A&M College (LA)
  • University of Missouri (MO)
  • University of Nevada, Las Vegas (NV)
  • University of Utah (UT)

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

  • Benedict College (SC), based on Assessment
  • Delaware State University (DE), based on Assessment
  • Florida Memorial University (FL), based on Generalist Practice
  • Georgia State University (GA), based on Administrative Structure and Assessment
  • New Mexico Highlands University (NM), based on Mission and Goals; Advisement, retention, and termination; and Administrative Structure
  • Niagara University (NY), based on Diversity
  • Shaw University (NC), based on Assessment
  • St. Augustine College (IL), based on Field Education

Master’s

  • Delaware State University (DE), based on Assessment
  • Georgia State University (GA), based on Admissions; Administrative Structure; and Assessment
  • Minnesota State University, Mankato (MN), based on Generalist Practice
  • New Mexico Highlands University (NM), based on Mission and Goals; Generalist Practice; Field Education; and Administrative Structure
  • Troy University (AL), based on 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

  • Eastern New Mexico University (NM), based on Diversity and Assessment
  • Kentucky State University (KY), based on Generalist Practice; Field Education; Advisement, retention, and termination; Administrative Structure; and Assessment
  • Minot State University (ND), based on Field Education; Advisement, retention, and termination; and Assessment
  • Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville (IL), based on Administrative Structure and Assessment
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth (MN), based on Generalist Practice and Field Education
  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington (NC), based on Faculty
  • West Texas A&M University (TX), based on Diversity and Student Participation

Master's

  • College of Saint Scholastica (MN), based on Admissions; Administrative Structure; and Assessment
  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL), based on Administrative Strucutre
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth (MN), based on Specialized Practice; Field Education; Faculty; and Administrative Structure
  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington (NC), based on Faculty

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, Los Angeles (CA)
  • Florida State University (FL)
  • Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Ponce (PR)
  • Seton Hall University (NJ)
  • Universidad Ana G. Mendez – Gurabo Campus (PR)
  • University of North Alabama (AL)
  • University of Southern Indiana (IN)
  • University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
  • West Liberty University (WV)

Master's

  • California State University, Los Angeles (CA)
  • California State University, Northridge (CA)
  • University of Cincinnati (OH)
  • University of Southern Indiana (IN)

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

  • Bowling Green State University (OH), based on Assessment
  • University of New England (ME), based on Assessment
  • University of North Florida (FL), based on Assessment
  • Utah Valley University (UT), based on Assessment
  • Virginia Union University (VA), based on Administrative Structure
  • Walla Walla University (WA), based on Advisement, retention, and promotion and Assessment

Master's

  • Florida State University (FL), based on Administrative Structure and Assessment
  • Spring Arbor University (MI), based on Assessment
  • Universidad Ana G. Mendez – Carolina Campus (PR), based on Faculty; Administrative Structure; and Assessment
  • Walla Walla University (WA), based on Resources 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

  • Universidad Ana G. Mendez – Carolina Campus (PR)

Master's

  • Saint Louis University (MO)

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.  The program was granted continued accreditation.

Baccalaureate

  •  Southern Illinois University Carbondale (IL)

Master’s

  • Hunter College, City University of New York (NY)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale (IL)

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

  • Brescia University (KY), based on Assessment
  • Madonna University MI, based on Generalist Practice, Administrative Structure, Resources, and Assessment
  • SUNY Buffalo State (NY), based on Generalist Practice and Faculty

Master’s

  •  Youngstown State University (OH), based on Administrative Structure

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

  • Baylor University (TX)
  • Belhaven University (MS)
  • Bethel University (MN)
  • Calvin University (MI)
  • Dordt College (IA)
  • Eastern Connecticut State University (CT)
  • Huntington University (IN)
  • La Salle University (PA)
  • Livingstone College (NC)
  • Long Island University-Brooklyn Campus (NY)
  • Luther College (IA)
  • Rust College (MS)
  • South Carolina State University (SC)
  • Southern University at New Orleans (LA)
  • Texas Woman's University (TX)
  • Universidad Central de Bayamon (PR)
  • University of North Carolina at Greensboro (NC)
  • University of Pittsburgh (PA)
  • University of South Alabama (AL)
  • Western Connecticut State University (CT)
  • Wichita State University (KS)
  • Winthrop University (SC)

Master’s

  • Baylor University (TX)
  • Brigham Young University (UT)
  • Samford University (AL)
  • Simmons University (MA)
  • Southern University at New Orleans (LA)
  • Springfield College (MA)
  • University of Pittsburgh (PA)
  • University of Texas at San Antonio (TX)
  • Wichita State University (KS)
  • Winthrop University (SC)