New Program Applicant Process

New Applicant Social Work Programs 

The Board of Accreditation (BOA) of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit baccalaureate, master’s, and practice doctorate social work degree programs in the United States and its territories.

Information for institutions seeking to accredit new baccalaureate, master's, or practice doctorate in social work programs is outlined on this page. 

In addition to baccalaureate, master's, and practice doctorate program accreditation, CSWE-BOA also accredits post-master’s social work fellowship programs; visit the respective page for further information. 

New Applicant Process

Declare your intent to seek accreditation

  • Email the Accreditation Services Manager to be added to the expressed interest list. Please include:

    • Institution Information​​​​:

      • Institution Name

      • Institution Address 

      • President/Chancellor Name and Credentials

      • President/Chancellor Email

    • Program Information

      • Level (Baccalaureate, Master's, or Practice Doctorate)

      • Primary Contact Name and Credentials (see policy 4.1 in Accreditation Policy Handbook)

      • Primary Contact Email

Determine timeline for launching your new applicant program

  • Begin the candidacy planning process by identifying the admission date for the first cohort of students.

    • Consult with Accreditation Services Manager and your institutional administrators to determine a realistic timeline for launching your new applicant program

    • Programs are advised to ensure its admission date corresponds with the program’s retroactive accreditation status , ensuring student degrees are earned from an accredited program. Accreditation status is retroactive to the academic year in which the program is granted candidacy status. Therefore, programs are advised to pursue a timetable in which the program’s admission date and retroactive accreditation date are identical.

  • Review and select a Candidacy Timetable. Then, review the activities, dates, and submission instructions.

    • Please note: The program may plan for a select agenda; however, assignment to an agenda is not guaranteed. Formal assignment to an agenda occurs when a program is granted pre-candidacy status. 

Submit Candidacy Eligibility Application and Pay Candidacy Eligibility Fee in accordance with selected Candidacy Timetable

Submit Benchmark 1 materials in accordance with selected Candidacy Timetable. For programs submitting Benchmark 1 materials after March 1, 2025 (seeking June 2026-2028 agenda), submissions are no longer accepted on a rolling basis and the firm deadlines must be followed as outlined in the Candidacy Timetable.

Review and Approval by Accreditation Services Manager 

2022 EPAS Training and Consultations for Baccalaureate and Master's Programs

Drop-In Group Consultations

Join the Accreditation Services Manager for drop-in group consultations on the candidacy process. While these consultations are optional, we encourage all institutions considering accreditation to attend. Registration information can be found below. Please stay tuned for additional drop-in session dates.

The drop-in sessions are applicable from the exploration phase through granting of pre-candidacy status/Benchmark 1 approval by CSWE Staff. All program faculty members and administrators are welcome to attend; a team-approach is encouraged. Topics discussed cover understanding timetable considerations, retroactive accreditation in relation to student admittance, required institutional actions to demonstrate accreditation eligibility. 

Date

Time (Eastern)

Registration Link
6/17/2026 1:00-2:15pm https://cswe.zoom.us/meeting/register/qwzoxzF2SlaHQdx8XjF_OQ
7/22/2026 1:00-2:15pm https://cswe.zoom.us/j/81751478481
8/19/2026 1:00-2:15pm   https://cswe.zoom.us/j/88572725681
9/23/2026 1:00-2:15pm https://cswe.zoom.us/j/86133046283

One-on-one consultations are available as necessary. Email the Accreditation Services Manager to inquire and coordinate a time.

Training

2025 Practice Doctorate Standards Training and Consultations for Practice Doctorate Programs

Practice doctorate programs may pursue accreditation via two distinct pathways. The offerings below are for programs seeking accreditation via the traditional pathway.

Drop-In Group Consultations

Join the Accreditation Services Manager for drop-in group consultations on the candidacy process. While these consultations are optional, we encourage all institutions considering accreditation to attend. Registration information can be found below. Please stay tuned for additional drop-in session dates.

The drop-in sessions are applicable from the exploration phase through granting of pre-candidacy status/Benchmark 1 approval by CSWE Staff. All program faculty members and administrators are welcome to attend; a team-approach is encouraged. Topics discussed cover understanding timetable considerations, retroactive accreditation in relation to student admittance, required institutional actions to demonstrate accreditation eligibility. 

Date Time (Eastern) Registration Link
6/16/2026 1:00-2:15pm https://cswe.zoom.us/meeting/register/yRsrhM42TuWnBuVbUJBJaw  
7/21/2026 1:00-2:15pm https://cswe.zoom.us/j/88259543920
8/18/2026 1:00-2:15pm https://cswe.zoom.us/j/81311743696
9/22/2026 1:00-2:15pm https://cswe.zoom.us/j/81267407269

One-on-one consultations are available as necessary. Email the Accreditation Services Manager to inquire and coordinate a time.

Training

Visit our training web page for previous presentation slide decks and upcoming opportunities.