Find Your Program

Or browse by

Browse our programs

What Is CSWE Accreditation?

A CSWE-accredited program can help you get the most out of your social work degree.

A career in social work empowers you to help others by providing the support and services they need to face difficulties and improve their lives. It can be a very rewarding career—particularly if you have the necessary skills to practice social work at the highest level. The best way to acquire those high-level skills is by earning a bachelor’s in social work (BSW) or a master’s in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program. Learn what CSWE accreditation is, why CSWE accreditation is important, and how this accreditation can help ensure you receive a high-quality social work education.

""
""

What Does CSWE Stand For?

CSWE stands for the Council on Social Work Education. CSWE is a nonprofit association focused on social work education in the U.S. Through a variety of activities and initiatives, CSWE fosters quality social work education while offering avenues for professional growth and leadership. Its aim is to empower social workers to assume pivotal roles in advancing the profession’s objectives of economic and social justice.

CSWE’s mission centers on advancing innovation and excellence in social work education and research. The council pursues its mission by ensuring quality in social work education, providing leadership, and enhancing the capacity of CSWE’s member institutions. College and university bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs, social work educators, students, social workers, and agencies that are committed to promoting quality education in the field of social work are all among the many members of CSWE.1

What Is Accreditation?

CSWE is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the only accrediting agency for social work education in the U.S. Accreditation is a process by which an agency evaluates an institution and certifies that it meets established educational standards. CSWE accreditation means that the CSWE’s accreditation board has reviewed a university’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and/or Master of Social Work (MSW) degree programs and found that they meet or exceed the standards for quality social work education. As of February 2024, 548 BSW programs and 334 MSW programs are CSWE accredited. Dozens of other programs are in the process of seeking accreditation.2

Why Is CSWE Accreditation Important?

When you enroll in a CSWE-accredited social work degree program, you can be confident that the quality of your coursework, assessments, and criteria for graduation meet rigorous standards set by the profession. By achieving CSWE accreditation, the school of social work you’ve chosen has demonstrated that it is committed to quality education and that the degree program will academically prepare graduates for social work practice. And CSWE accreditation is as rigorous for online degree programs as it is for campus-based programs—which means you can choose either learning format with the confidence that you’ll receive a top-quality social work education.

Even more importantly, in order to seek licensure in most states and U.S. territories, you must graduate from a CSWE-accredited social work degree program.3

What Are the Standards for CSWE Accreditation?

The CSWE accreditation standards are both extensive and rigorous.2 For an online or campus-based MSW program to receive accreditation, it must show that the curriculum teaches a minimum of nine social work competencies. Each of the nine competencies represents skills, values, knowledge, and processes that social workers need in order to be effective in their roles.

The Nine Social Work Competencies:4

  1. Demonstrating professional and ethical behavior as a social worker
  2. Advancing the rights of all humans and economic, environmental, racial, and social justice
  3. Engaging in ADEI (Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in social work practice
  4. Engaging in research-informed practice and practice-informed research
  5. Engaging in policy practice
  6. Engaging with communities, organizations, groups, families, and individuals
  7. Assessing communities, organizations, groups, families, and individuals
  8. Intervening with communities, organizations, groups, families, and individuals
  9. Evaluating practice with communities, organizations, groups, families, and individuals

Additionally, the degree program must incorporate these five educational policies and accreditation standards:4

  1. The program mission: The mission of the program must be focused on the nine social work competencies and grounded in the core values of social work.
  2. ADEI (anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion): ADEI approaches must be integrated across the program’s curriculum.
  3. Explicit curriculum: The degree program must meet standards for curriculum and field education design and content.
  4. Implicit curriculum: The degree program must meet standards for student development, student participation, faculty, administration, governance, and resources.
  5. Assessment: The social work degree program must gather and assess data that reflects student learning outcomes, ADEI, and program outcomes.

What Is the CSWE Accreditation Process?

Here is a basic overview of the steps a social work degree program goes through to earn CSWE accreditation:5

  1. Preparation: The social work degree program prepares to seek accreditation by reviewing CSWE’s accreditation standards and criteria.
  2. Self-study: The program conducts a thorough self-study, examining how well it meets CSWE's accreditation standards. This involves assessing such areas as the curriculum, faculty qualifications, field education opportunities, and student support services.
  3. Submission of self-study report: Once the self-study is complete, the degree program submits a comprehensive report to CSWE detailing its findings, including strengths, areas for improvement, and evidence of compliance with accreditation standards.
  4. Site visit: CSWE appoints a team of peer reviewers to conduct an on-site visit to the school of social work. During the visit, the reviewers meet with faculty members, students, administrators, and other stakeholders to gather additional information and verify the contents of the self-study report.
  5. Evaluation: After the site visit, the peer reviewers analyze the information they’ve gathered and evaluate whether the program meets CSWE’s accreditation standards. They prepare a report summarizing their findings and recommendations.
  6. Review by CSWE Board of Accreditation: The peer review report is then reviewed by the CSWE Board of Accreditation, which makes the final decision regarding CSWE accreditation status.
  7. Accreditation decision: Based on the findings of the peer review report and the program’s adherence to CSWE’s accreditation standards, the CSWE Board of Accreditation determines whether to grant accreditation to the program. Accreditation is typically granted for eight years.
  8. Continuous improvement: Once a BSW or MSW program is accredited, the process continues. Accredited programs are expected to engage in ongoing assessment and improvement efforts to maintain accreditation status. This involves regularly reviewing and updating curriculum, responding to feedback from stakeholders, and addressing any areas for improvement that were identified during the accreditation process.

By completing these steps, social work degree programs demonstrate their commitment to meeting rigorous CSWE standards and preparing students to thrive in the field of social work. After a program receives initial CSWE accreditation, that status is reviewed for reaffirmation every eight years to ensure that the degree program still meets or exceeds accreditation standards.

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

Walden University offers CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs online. Walden’s social work programs allow you to expand your career knowledge and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

1Source: www.cswe.org/about-cswe/
2Source: www.cswe.org/Accreditation
3Source: www.cswe.org/accreditation/about/value-benefits/ 
4Source: www.cswe.org/getmedia/bb5d8afe-7680-42dc-a332-a6e6103f4998/2022-EPAS.pdf
5Source: www.cswe.org/getmedia/3e97ec3e-61ab-439d-b903-34429ffb69fe/Accreditation-Policy-Handbook.pdf

BSW

Accreditation
Walden’s Bachelor of Social Work is 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.

Note on Licensure
The Walden University Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is designed to prepare graduates to practice as licensed social workers in states that offer licensure at the bachelor’s level. However, each state board responsible for the regulation of social work has its own requirements for licensure, including appropriate accreditation of academic programs.

Walden’s Bachelor of Social Work has received accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation. Accreditation by the CSWE’s Board of Accreditation indicates that it has met all criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. A program that has attained accreditation status has demonstrated a commitment to meeting the compliance standards set by the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Prospective students enrolling in licensure-leading programs are advised that relocation to another state may impact the student’s ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification, or other credential in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.

MSW

Accreditation
Walden University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation. 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.

Note on Licensure
The Walden University Master of Social Work (MSW) program is designed to prepare graduates to practice as licensed social workers in many states. However, the requirements for licensure as a social worker vary greatly from state to state. Each state board that is responsible for regulating the practice of social work has its own academic requirements and issues its own license to practice as a social worker in that state. Additionally, students should be advised that the Walden MSW program is not designed or intended to prepare graduates for licensure as a school social worker; however, graduates might be eligible for licensure as a school social worker in their particular state of residence.

While Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide general information relating to the state-by-state educational requirements for social work licensure or certification, it remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization, or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of its coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, certification, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential. Licensure eligibility determinations are ultimately determined by the appropriate state board that issues the credential to practice.

Prospective students enrolling in licensure-leading programs are advised that relocation to another state may impact the student’s ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification, or other credential in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Whether looking for information on programs, admissions, or financial aid, we're here to help.

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Step 1: Contact Information
  • Step 2: Academic Interests

Are you or your spouse an active or retired U.S. military service member?*

By submitting this form, I provide my signature, expressly consenting to calls, prerecorded messages, messages created by generative artificial intelligence, emails and/or texts regarding my educational options from Walden University (Walden) and its contractors using an automated dialing system to the number and email address provided. I understand my consent is not required to enroll at Walden, and that I can withdraw my consent at any time. To request information without consenting, please call 866-492-5336. For telephonic communications, message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. To opt out of communications via text messaging reply STOP or HELP for help or call 866-492-5336. For more information, visit Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.