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Everything You Need to Know About CSWE Accreditation

Learn what accreditation is and why it is important to choose a CSWE-accredited social work degree program.

A career in social work can be both rewarding and demanding, and practitioners need a strong educational foundation to practice effectively. Earning a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), or Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) will help ensure you acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. This guide will explore what CSWE accreditation entails, its significance, and the benefits of enrolling in a CSWE-accredited online social work program.

A social worker accredited writes in a notebook as a woman speaks to her
A social worker accredited writes in a notebook as a woman speaks to her

What Does CSWE Stand For?

CSWE stands for the Council on Social Work Education, a nonprofit association dedicated to advancing social work education in the U.S. CSWE’s mission is to promote innovation and excellence in social work education and research by ensuring quality, providing leadership, and enhancing the capacity of its member institutions.1 The council comprises various stakeholders, including colleges and universities offering social work degree programs, educators, students, and social work agencies committed to quality education.

What Is Accreditation?

CSWE is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the U.S. Accreditation is a rigorous process where an agency evaluates an institution’s programs against established educational standards. CSWE accreditation signifies that a university’s social work programs have been reviewed and certified to meet or exceed standards.

Why Is CSWE Accreditation Important?

Enrolling in a CSWE-accredited social work degree program assures that the quality of your education meets the profession’s rigorous standards. It signifies that the program has been thoroughly reviewed and certified by experts, preparing graduates for social work practice. Moreover, graduating from a CSWE-accredited program is a prerequisite for licensure in most states and U.S. territories.2

What Are the Standards for CSWE Accreditation?

The CSWE accreditation standards are comprehensive and demanding. For a social work program to be accredited, it must demonstrate that its curriculum teaches a minimum of nine social work competencies. These competencies are:3

  1. Demonstrating ethical and professional behavior
  2. Advancing human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice
  3. Engaging anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in practice
  4. Engaging in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
  5. Engaging in policy practice
  6. Engaging with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  7. Assessing individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  8. Intervening with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  9. Evaluating practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

Why Choose a CSWE-Accredited Online BSW, MSW, or DSW Program?

Choosing a CSWE-accredited online program offers numerous benefits. Online learning provides flexibility and convenience, allowing students to continue working while advancing their education. Online programs can also be cost-effective, as they may offer credit for previous experience and education, potentially allowing students to graduate sooner. Moreover, CSWE accreditation ensures that online programs meet the same rigorous standards as campus-based programs, ensuring a high-quality education.

Where Can I Earn a CSWE-Accredited Social Work Degree?

Walden University offers the following CSWE-accredited programs online:

Each of these CSWE-accredited programs provides a convenient path to advancing your social work education. All three programs are designed to prepare graduates for licensure and a successful career in the field of social work. Walden University’s accredited online Bachelor of Social Work program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the critical elements of social work. Through immersive case studies, a Skills Lab, and field experience, students acquire and practice sought-after skills in a safe environment. Graduates can open the door to a rewarding future in various social work roles, such as social and community service managers or child, family, and school social workers.

Walden’s accredited online MSW program provides the opportunity to align your MSW studies with today’s in-demand social work jobs by choosing one of five focus areas: Addictions, Child and Family, Healthcare, Military, and Trauma. You can take your studies further by adding a third course from a single focus area to earn an optional embedded certificate along with your MSW degree. The program prepares students for licensure and features interactive simulations, virtual Skills Labs, and field experiences that help students develop advanced clinical skills and apply knowledge in practical contexts. With various completion options, including an Advanced Standing option for BSW holders, students can tailor their education to their career goals.

Finally, Walden’s accredited online DSW program is designed for advanced social work professionals who want to expand their influence and leadership skills. The program offers three specializations: Advanced Clinical Practice and Supervision, Impact Leadership in Social Work Administration, and Social Work Education. Through a curriculum grounded in social change, students develop key doctoral skills, including research and writing, to prepare for their capstone project. The program empowers practitioners to promote positive social change and advance their careers in leadership, education, or entrepreneurship, making a meaningful impact in their communities and the social work field.

By choosing a CSWE-accredited program, you can be confident in the quality of your education and your readiness to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. The MSW program, notably, received a rare 7-year renewal for its accreditation, and Walden was an early pioneer in offering online CSWE-accredited MSW and BSW programs. This accreditation signifies that these programs meet rigorous standards, preparing students for impactful careers in social work. Consider enrolling in a Walden social work program to advance your education with a recognized and respected credential. Take the next step and invest in your future. Choose to earn your Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), or Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from Walden University.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree programs. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.

Walden’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Board of Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

1Source: www.cswe.org/about-cswe
2Source: www.cswe.org/Accreditation 
3Source: www.cswe.org/accreditation/policies-process/2022epas

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