CSWE accreditation is a rigorous peer-review process that can only be accomplished with the help of our dedicated volunteers. There are three types of accreditation volunteers: Board of Accreditation Members, Site Visitors, and Fellowship Review Committee Members. Applications open in April each year.

Perks of Becoming an Accreditation Volunteer:

  • Engage in esteemed volunteer service and professional development
  • Enhance your own accreditation expertise and technical discussion and writing skills to contribute to your own social work program's accreditation efforts
  • Learn about new, innovative, and promising social work education practices
  • Have a network of peers and fellow volunteers with expertise in accreditation
  • Receive annual letters of recognition for services, that may be used for promotions
  • Join the annual volunteer celebration at CSWE Annual Conference.
  • Contribute to the overall improvement of the social work profession and educational community

Board of Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA) is the accrediting body for social work education. As the accreditor, the BOA is responsible for both formulating accreditation standards and determining the criteria and process for evaluating these standards. In addition, BOA members conduct candidacy visits for baccalaureate, master's, and practice doctorate programs seeking initial accreditation.

Encouraged to apply:

  • Applicants with experience as an administrator, educator, or student, in social work practice doctorate program(s)
  • Applicants with written and verbal Spanish and English language fluency

Application

Applicants who are eligible and interested must complete the application through the online application portal. Applications are open each spring. Within the application portal, applicants will:

  • Respond to a brief set of questions (including a statement of interest)
  • Upload CV

More Information: Review the BOA Info Sheet 

To stay up-to-date on applications or information sessions please complete the BOA Interest Form 

Site Visitors

CSWE-accredited baccalaureate and master's social work programs host site visits as an integral part of the reaffirmation process. Site visitors conduct visits to programs on behalf of the CSWE Board of Accreditation (BOA). The site visitor's role is to be an objective gatherer of information to inform reaffirmation decisions.

Encouraged to apply:

  • Applicants with experience as an administrator, educator, or student, in social work practice doctorate program(s)
  • Applicants with written and verbal Spanish and English language fluency

Application

Applicants who are eligible and interested must complete the application through the online application portal. Applications are open each spring. Within the application portal, applicants will:

  • Respond to a brief set of questions (including a statement of interest)
  • Upload CV
  • Upload a letter of support from their program's chief administrator (e.g., dean, chair); that supports the time necessary to devote to site visitor trainings and commitments. If the applicant is the program's chief administrator, a letter of support from an institutional administrator (e.g., provost).

More Information: Review the Site Visitor Info Sheet

To stay up-to-date on applications or information sessions please complete the Site Visitor Interest Form

Fellowship Review Committee

The Fellowship Review Committee (FRC) serves as the primary review body for post-master's social work fellowship programs seeking initial or continued accreditation and is responsible for making accreditation decision recommendations to the Board of Accreditation (BOA). The FRC is a volunteer body of social work educators and practitioners.

Encouraged to apply:

  • Social work practitioner and/or educator with fellowship education experience.

Application: Applicants who are eligible and interested in applying to become a member of the FRC must complete the application through the online application portal. Applications are open each spring. Within the application portal, applicants will:

  • Respond to a brief set of questions (including a statement of interest)
  • Upload CV

More Information: Review the Fellowship Review Committee (FRC) Info Sheet 

To stay up-to-date on applications or information sessions, complete the FRC Interest Form