February 2020 COA Decisions

February 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 meetings take place three times a year, in February, June, and October.

The COA took the following actions at its February 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.

Baccalaureate

  • Binghamton University, State University of New York (NY)
  • Lesley University (MA)
  • Marian University (IN)
  • Point University (GA)
  • Sitting Bull College (SD)

Master's

  • Ball State University (IN)
  • Colorado State University-Pueblo (CO)
  • Miami University (OH)
  • Northern Michigan University (MI)
  • Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (MN) 
  • Winona State University (MN)
  • Wright State University (OH)

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

  • Alverno College (WI)
  • Universidad Ana G. Mendez – Cupey Campus (PR)

Master's

  • Brandman University (CA)
  • Regis College (MA)

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

  • Southwestern Assemblies of God University (TX), based on Field Education and Administrative Structure
  • University of Connecticut (CT), based on Field Education

Master's

  • York College, City University of New York (NY), based on Generalist Practice, Specialized Practice, Faculty, Administrative Structure, and Resources

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

  • St. Catherine University (MN)
  • University of Saint Thomas (MN)

Master's

  • Auburn University (AL)
  • College at Brockport, State University of New York (NY)
  • Lewis University (IL)
  • St. Catherine University (MN)
  • Saginaw Valley State University (MI)
  • Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TX)
  • University of Saint Thomas (MN)

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.

Baccalaureate

  • Gwynedd Mercy University (PA), based on Assessment

Master's

  • Concordia University Wisconsin (WI), based on Advisement, Retention, and Termination
  • Nazareth College of Rochester (NY), based on Assessment
  • Southeastern University (FL), based on Field Education and Student Participation
  • University of North Florida (FL), based on 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.

Master's

  • Utah Valley University (UT), based on Mission and Goals; Generalist Practice; Specialized Practice; Admissions; 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

  • Arkansas State University (AR)
  • Ferris State University (MI)
  • Mars Hill University (NC)
  • Michigan State University (MI)
  • Middle Tennessee State University (TN)
  • Morehead State University (KY)
  • Prairie View A&M University (TX)
  • Salve Regina University (RI)
  • Shepherd University (WV)
  • Southern University and A & M College (LA)
  • Stephen F. Austin State University (TX)
  • University of Saint Joseph (CT)
  • University of Texas at Austin (TX)

Master's

  • California State University, Monterey Bay (CA)
  • Concord University (WV)
  • Michigan State University (MI)
  • Stephen F. Austin State University (TX)
  • University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus (PR)
  • University of Saint Joseph (CT)
  • University of Texas at Austin (TX)
  • University of Vermont (VT)

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

  • California State University, Los Angeles (CA), based on Advisement, retention, and termination; Administrative Structure; and Resources
  • Lehman College, City University of New York (NY), based on Field Education; Administrative Structure; and Resources
  • Misericordia University (PA), based on Advisement, retention, and termination; Administrative Structure; Resources; and Assessment
  • Providence College (RI), based on Field Education
  • Tarleton State University (TX), based on Administrative Structure and Assessment
  • University of Cincinnati (OH), based on Field Education
  • University of Vermont (VT), based on Admissions and Administrative Structure

Master’s

  • Bridgewater State University (MA), based on Assessment
  • California State University, Los Angeles (CA), based on Faculty, Administrative Structure, and Resources
  • California State University, Northridge (CA), based on Advisement, retention, and termination; Administrative Structure; and Resources
  • Ferris State University (MI), based on Resources
  • Lehman College, City University of New York (NY), based on Specialized Practice; Field Education; Administrative Structure; Resources; and Assessment

Order a Modified Site Visit

The COA  believes that a program may be out of compliance with one or more educational policy or accreditation standards and ordered a modified site visit to collect more information.  A site visitor is sent, at the program’s expense, to review specific compliance issues. This program is reviewed at the next COA meeting after the site visit.

Baccalaureate

  • Long Island University Post and Long Island University Brooklyn Collaborative (NY), based on Resources

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

  • University of Montevallo (AL), based on Diversity and Resources

Master's

  • California State University, San Bernardino (CA), based on 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

  • California State University, Sacramento (CA)
  • Capital University (OH)
  • Concord University (WV)
  • Defiance College (OH)
  • Jackson State University (MS)
  • San Diego State University (CA)
  • Stockton University (NJ)
  • Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TX)
  • Union College (NE)
  • University of Kentucky (KY)
  • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)

Master's

  • Boise State University (ID)
  • Jackson State University (MS)
  • Northeastern Illinois University (IL)
  • Sacred Heart University (CT)

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

  • Wright State University (OH), based on Generalist Practice, Administrative Structure, and Resources

Master's

  • California State University, Sacramento (CA), based on Diversity
  • San Diego State University (CA), based on Faculty and Administrative Structure
  • University of Kentucky (KY), based on Diversity, 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

  • College of Saint Scholastica (MN)
  • Missouri Southern State University (MO)

Master's

  • Daemen College (NY)
  • North Carolina Central University (NC)
  • Seton Hall University (NJ)

Restore Accredited Status

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.

Baccalaureate

  • Medgar Evers College, City University of New York (NY)
  • University of New England (ME)

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

  • Troy University (AL), based on Assessment

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

  • University of Sioux Falls (SD)

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

  • Missouri Southern State University (MO), based on Administrative Structure
  • Southeastern Louisiana University (LA), based on Faculty
  • University of Wyoming (WY), based on Administrative Structure

Master’s

  • University of Wyoming (WY), based on Administrative Structure
  • West Texas A&M University (TX), based on Faculty

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

  • Austin Peay State University (TN)
  • Dalton State College (GA)
  • Eastern New Mexico University (NM)
  • Georgia State University (GA)
  • Kentucky State University (KY)
  • Madonna University (MI)
  • Marist College (NY)
  • Minnesota State University, Mankato (MN)
  • New Mexico Highlands University (NM)
  • Niagara University (NY)
  • North Carolina Central University (NC)
  • St. Augustine College (IL)
  • Shaw University (NC)
  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
  • SUNY Buffalo State (NY)
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth (MN)
  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington (NC)
  • West Texas A&M University (TX)

Master’s

  • College of Saint Scholastica (MN)
  • Georgia State University (GA)
  • Louisiana State University and A&M College (LA)
  • Minnesota State University, Mankato (MN)
  • New Mexico Highlands University (NM)
  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth (MN)
  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington (NC)
  • University of Utah (UT)