New Applicant Programs

Information for institutions seeking to accredit new baccalaureate, master's, or practice doctorate in social work programs is outlined below. If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page or reach out to the accreditation staff.

New Applicant Process

Declare Your Intent to Seek Accreditation
Determine Timeline for Launching Your New Applicant Program
Submit Candidacy Eligibility Application and Fee
Submit Benchmark 1 Materials in Accordance with Selected Candidacy Timetable
Review and/or Approval

Declare Your Intent to Seek Accreditation

New applicants should 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)

Candidacy Eligibility Application
Current Candidacy Fees and Related Expenses
- Candidacy Eligibility Fee Payment Instructions. Direct questions regarding accreditation fees to [email protected].

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.

2022 EPAS materials for Baccalaureate and Master's programs can be found here. Practice Doctorate materials can be found here.

Review and Approval by Accreditation Services Manager

Once approved, the program is:
- Granted pre-candidacy status
- Displayed on the Directory of Accredited Programs
- Assigned to a BOA Agenda
- Assigned to an accreditation specialist
The program will continue to follow that Candidacy Timetable through Benchmark 3/Initial Accreditation Decision

Training and Consultations

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, all institutions considering accreditation are encouraged to attend. The drop-in sessions are applicable from the exploration phase through granting of Pre-candidacy Status/Benchmark 1 approval by CSWE Staff.

One-on-one consultations are available as necessary by emailing the Accreditation Services Manager.

Upcoming Dates (Eastern Time):

Date	Time (Eastern)	Registration Link
9/23/2026	1:00-2:15pm	https://cswe.zoom.us/j/86133046283

Learn more about accreditation training opportunities

Practice Doctorate 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.