Fellowship Program Accreditation FAQ
Fellowship programs are hosted by sites offering social work services in the United States, its territories, or on U.S. military installations. They advance the knowledge and skills of a social work practitioner in a focused area of practice.
Unlike the academic programs accredited by the Board of Accreditation (BOA), fellowship programs are practice-based and not tied to degree programs in colleges and universities.The purpose of fellowship training is for trainees to obtain advanced competencies and/or core expertise and skills beyond those attained through completion of a master's degree in social work.
The Fellowship Review Committee (FRC) serves as the primary review body for fellowship programs seeking initial or continued accreditation and is responsible for making accreditation decision recommendations to the BOA.
Admissions
Each program selects and implements their own admissions criteria. At a minimum, the Post-Master's Social Work Fellowship Accreditation Standards, requires that the fellowship program only admit trainees that have earned a master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. This includes individuals whose degree was recognized as equivalent through CSWE's International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service (ISWDRES) and graduates from Canadian social work programs accredited by CASWE covered by the memorandum of understanding between CSWE and CASWE.
Any questions regarding a specific fellowship program's admission criterion should be directed at the fellowship program, directly. For a directory of accredited fellowship programs, please click here.
Accreditation Status
The accreditation status obtained at initial accreditation is based upon the components that were reviewed during the accreditation review process. Therefore, the accredited status only applies to the cohort that was enrolled at the time the program's self-study was reviewed and site visit was approved and not past trainees.
Accreditation status is not retroactively effective to previous trainees and curricula.
Licensure
Some fellowship programs may provide supervision hours that can be counted towards licensure. Any questions regarding a specific fellowship program's offerings should be directed at the fellowship program, directly.
CSWE does not oversee social work licensure. Professional social work licensure is under the authority of a designated board within each individual state government. Your state government is responsible for regulating licensure and setting criteria required to become a licensed professional social worker. Requirements may differ by state.
Contact information for individual state licensing boards can be found on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) website or through an internet search for a licensing board for a particular state. Questions regarding licensure and professional practice should be directed to the board in your state. Questions regarding the national social work licensing exams should be directed to the ASWB, the body that publishes and administers the exams.
Please reach out to [email protected] with questions or to schedule a consultation. In addition, existing or developing fellowship programs are asked to complete the Post-Master's Social Work Fellowship Program Database Record Form. This will allow CSWE to have accurate details regarding social work fellowship programs and up-to-date records so we may communicate important updates.
2021 Post-Master's Social Work Fellowship Accreditation Standards
Approved and adopted in October 2021, the Post-Master’s Social Work Fellowship Accreditation Standards serves as the primary guiding document for fellowship accreditation.
Fellowship Accreditation Policies & Procedures
The Post-Master's Social Work Fellowship Accreditation Handbook was developed to supplement the Accreditation Policy Handbook used for baccalaureate, master's, and practice doctorate social work program accreditation. The fellowship handbook identifies the accreditation policies and procedures that apply to post-master's social work fellowship programs, specifically.
Supplemental Policy Documents:
Fees
The Current Fellowship Accreditation Fees and Related Expenses includes the explanation of fees related to the accreditation of post-master's social work fellowship programs.
Please follow the payment instructions for Fellowship Accreditation Eligibility Fees and payment instructions for all other Fellowship Accreditation Fees.
Questions regarding accreditation fees? Email [email protected].
Initial Accreditation Process & Materials
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Fellowship submits Fellowship Accreditation Eligibility Application & Fee
The eligibility application is reviewed by CSWE staff to determine fellowship's readiness to proceed
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If approved, fellowship submits a completed Self-Study
Programs have 2 years to submit completed self-study and must have a trainee in the program upon submission.
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Program is invoiced for the Initial Accreditation Fee & is assigned to a review timeline
Up to two new programs are reviewed at each FRC meeting. FRC meets 3 times per year.
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FRC makes Site Visit Authorization decision
Two FRC members review the self-study and and the FRC determines whether to authorize a site visit. The FRC meets 3 times per year.
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Once a site visit is authorized, it is scheduled
Visits are scheduled in the second half of the trainee's program and must occur within 3 years of the authorization decision.
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Site Visit
All visits are conducted in person
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Visitors provide CSWE with a visit report that is shared with the program
Visit reports are submitted within 2 weeks of the visit
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Program responds to the site visit report
Programs have 2 weeks to respond to visit report.
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FRC makes Initial Accreditation Recommendation to BOA
Two FRC members review the site visit report & program response and the FRC determines an initial accreditation decision recommendation for BOA's consideration. FRC meets 3 times per year.
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Initial Accreditation Decision
BOA considers the FRC's recommendation and ratifies the accreditation decision at their scheduled meeting. The BOA meets 3 times per year
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Continuous Compliance with Accreditation Standards & Requirements
Submit Fellowship Accreditation Eligibility Application & Fee
Review and Approval by CSWE Staff
- Once approved, program submits self-study. Programs have 2 years from approval to submit the self-study. Program must also have a trainee in the program at the time of self-study submission.
Submit Self-Study using the required template
- Fellowship Accreditation Self-Study Template
- Once the program's self-study is received, program is invoiced for the Initial Accreditation Fee and is assigned to a review timeline.
Fellowship Review Committee (FRC) makes Site Visit Authorization Decision
- See section 4.3 Fellowship Review Committee Review of Self-Study in the Post-Master's Social Work Fellowship Accreditation Handbook for a list of possible FRC actions.
- If deferred, program responds to deferral using the required Fellowship Deferral Response Template.
- Once a site visit is authorized, CSWE staff work with the program and visitors to schedule the visits. Visits are conducted in the second half of the trainee's program and must also take place within three years of the visit authorization decision.
Site Visit is Conducted
- All visits are conducted in person. See Section 11 Site Visit Procedures in the Post-Master's Social Work Fellowship Accreditation Handbook for details, visit components, and a sample visit agenda.
- Following the visit, the visitors submit a site visit report to CSWE which is shared with the program.
Program Response to Site Visit Report using the required template
FRC makes Initial Accreditation Recommendation to the Board of Accreditation (BOA)
- See section 4.6 Initial Accreditation Decision in the Post-Master's Social Work Fellowship Accreditation Handbook for a list of possible FRC actions.
- If deferred, program responds to deferral using the required Fellowship Deferral Response Template.
- When the FRC makes a recommendation to the BOA, the program is placed on the next BOA
meeting agenda.
BOA considers the FRC's recommendation and ratifies the accreditation decision at their next scheduled meeting
- The BOA has sole and complete authority as the final arbiter of compliance with the Post-Master’s Social Work Fellowship Accreditation Standards or other evaluative criteria as the decision-making body.
- All accreditation decisions are ratified by the full 30-person BOA. Official BOA decision letters are emailed to program directors thirty (30) days following the BOA meeting.
Maintaining Accreditation
- Between regularly scheduled accreditation reviews, programs are solely responsible for implementing, demonstrating, and maintaining compliance with the Post-Master’s Social Work Fellowship Accreditation Standards.
- Programs must also continue to meet accreditation requirements, including completing Cohort Reports, submitting Annual Fees, and reporting changes to the program.
- Submit a completed a Cohort Report within sixty (60) days of each cohort’s completion date.
- Accredited programs are invoiced for the Annual Accreditation Fee each January
- See section 5.4 Maintaining Accreditation in the Post-Master's Social Work Fellowship Accreditation Handbook for details.
Reaffirmation Process & Materials
After receipt of its initial accreditation, a program’s accredited status is reviewed for reaffirmation every 8 years. The steps in reaffirming a program’s accreditation are:
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Fellowship submits completed Self-Study
The Self-Study must be submitted 11 months prior to the expiration of the program’s current accreditation term.
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Program is invoiced for Reaffirmation Fee
The invoicing occurs 11 months prior to the expiration of the program’s current accreditation term.
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Site Visit is scheduled
A site visit is scheduled for around 8 months prior to the expiration of the program’s current accreditation term.
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Site Visit
2 FRC members visit the program. All visits are conducted in person.
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Visitors provide CSWE with a visit report that is shared with the program
Visit reports are submitted within 2 weeks of the visit.
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Program responds to the site visit report
Programs have 2 weeks to respond to visit report.
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FRC makes Reaffirmation Recommendation to BOA
2 FRC members review the site visit report & program response and the FRC determines a reaffirmation decision recommendation for BOA's consideration. FRC meets 3 times per year.
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Reaffirmation Decision
BOA considers the FRC's recommendation and ratifies the accreditation decision at their scheduled meeting. The BOA meets 3 times per year.
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Continuous Compliance with Accreditation Standards & Requirements
The reaffirmation process begins about one year prior to expiration of the program's current accreditation term. Programs are provided with a customized Timetable for Reaffirmation outlining each step and associated deadline.
Submission of the Self-Study and payment of the Reaffirmation Fee:
- Fellowship Accreditation Self-Study Template
- Program is invoiced for the Reaffirmation Fee
Site Visit Scheduling
- CSWE staff work with the program and two FRC visitors to schedule the visit.
- Reaffirmation visits are conducted around 8 months prior to the expiration of the program’s current accreditation term.
Site Visit is Conducted
- All visits are conducted in person. See Section 11 Site Visit Procedures in the Post-Master's Social Work Fellowship Accreditation Handbook for details, visit components, and a sample visit agenda.
- Following the visit, the visitors submit a site visit report to CSWE which is shared with the program.
Program Response to Site Visit Report using the required template
FRC makes Reaffirmation Recommendation to the Board of Accreditation (BOA)
- See section 6.5 Reaffirmation Decision in the Post-Master's Social Work Fellowship Accreditation Handbook for a list of possible FRC actions.
- If deferred, program responds to deferral using the required Fellowship Deferral Response Template.
- When the FRC makes a recommendation to the BOA, the program is placed on the next BOA
meeting agenda.
BOA considers the FRC's recommendation and ratifies the accreditation decision at their next scheduled meeting
- The BOA has sole and complete authority as the final arbiter of compliance with the Post-Master’s Social Work Fellowship Accreditation Standards or other evaluative criteria as the decision-making body.
- All accreditation decisions are ratified by the full 30-person BOA. Official BOA decision letters are emailed to program directors thirty (30) days following the BOA meeting.
Maintaining Accreditation
- Between regularly scheduled accreditation reviews, programs are solely responsible for implementing, demonstrating, and maintaining compliance with the Post-Master’s Social Work Fellowship Accreditation Standards.
- Programs must also continue to meet accreditation requirements, including completing Cohort Reports, submitting Annual Fees, and reporting changes to the program.
- Submit a completed a Cohort Report within sixty (60) days of each cohort’s completion date.
- Accredited programs are invoiced for the Annual Accreditation Fee each January
- See section 5.4 Maintaining Accreditation in the Post-Master's Social Work Fellowship Accreditation Handbook for details.
Fellowship Review Committee
The Fellowship Review Committee (FRC) serves as the primary review body for fellowship programs seeking initial or continued accreditation and is responsible for making accreditation decision recommendations to the Board of Accreditation (BOA). The BOA considers FRC recommendations and ratifies accreditation decisions.
For information on volunteering as an FRC member, click here.
Christopher J. Guenthner, DSW, LCSW, BCD
Installation Director of Psychological Health, Schofield Barracks- U.S. Army
Chair
Allison R Baird, MSW, LCSW, CAP, CCM
Instructor in Social Work, Mayo Clinic in Florida
Amy Cressman, DSW, LSW
Lecturer, Rutgers School of Social Work
Annette Clark, MSW, LCSW-S
Director of Post-Graduate Clinical Social Work Fellowship, Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine
Candace Farrell, PhD, LCSW
DCAPBS Director of Social Work Training, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Carolina Parrott, LCSW
Director of Advanced Clinical Social Work Fellowship, Yale Child Study Center
Jean Balestrery, PhD, MA, MSW, LICSW, MAC
Founder & CEO, Integrated Care Counsel, LLC
Nikkita Jackson, DSW, LISW-S
Assistant Professor and Social Work Field Coordinator, Central State University
Robin G. Arndt, DSW, MSW, LSW
Coordinator, Field & Continuing Education, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Sandra Moncrief-Stuart, DSW, MSW, LCSW, LMFT
VA Board Approved Supervisor & Instructor, Tulane University