Practice Doctorate Accreditation Toolkit

2025 Practice Doctorate Accreditation Toolkit - Updated June 12, 2025

This toolkit encompasses the accreditation materials for the 2025 Accreditation Standards for Practice Doctorate Social Work Programs(Opens in a new window), additional toolkit items will be released late 2025. 

Standards and Resources for Practice Doctorate Programs:

• 2025 Accreditation Standards for Practice Doctorate Social Work Program(Opens in a new window)

  • Program Director Qualifications Legacy Waiver Request Form | AS D4.2.4(b)(Opens in a new window)

• 2025 Practice Doctorate Standards Interpretation Guide(Opens in a new window)

• Accreditation Policy Handbook

  • ​​​​​​Document Formatting & Submission Requirements (Policy 4.7)(Opens in a new window)

• Memo to the Social Work Profession(Opens in a new window)

• ADEI Resources, Guidance, and FAQs(Opens in a new window)

  • Accessible to members and primary contacts through the membership portal

Accreditation Pathways:

Practice doctorate programs can seek accreditation via two distinct pathways:

1. Temporary Alternative Pathway: one-year initial accreditation process for existing practice doctorate programs that meet eligibility requirements

2. Traditional Pathway: three-year developmental model for programs that are not eligible for, or choose not to pursue, the Temporary Alternative Pathway

Temporary Alternative Pathway Applicants:

The Temporary Alternative Pathway was developed in recognition that practice doctorate programs have longstanding operational history and pilot participation was limited by design. Therefore, this pathway allows existing practice doctorate programs an expedited candidacy and initial accreditation option. Documents will be accepted starting August 1, 2025.

Process:

• Review Temporary Alternative Pathway Application(Opens in a new window) to determine eligibility

• Review and select a Timetable to Candidacy for Temporary Alternative Pathway Programs:

  • Timetable to Candidacy Status: Fall 2025 Retroactive Accreditation

  • Timetable to Candidacy Status: Fall 2026 Retroactive Accreditation

  • Timetable to Candidacy Status: Fall 2027 Retroactive Accreditation

  • Timetable to Candidacy Status: Fall 2028 Retroactive Accreditation

• Review Temporary Alternative Pathway Fees and Related Expenses and pay the Candidacy Eligibility Fee(Opens in a new window)

  • Programs interested in applying may pay the Candidacy Eligibility Fee at this time, if desired. Please note this does not place the program in the review queue. The queue will open with the submission of completed program documents in August 2025.

• Submit Temporary Alternative Pathway Application in accordance with selected Timetable to Candidacy for Temporary Alternative Pathway Programs

  • Temporary Alternative Pathway Application(Opens in a new window)

  • Self-Study Volume 1 Template

  • Self-Study Volume 2 (Syllabi)

  • Self-Study  Volume 3 (Student Handbook)

  • Temporary Alternative Pathway Writing Checklist

• Program granted candidacy status upon staff approval of Temporary Alternative Pathway Application and is assigned to the next available BOA meeting agenda for an initial accreditation decision. 

• Timetables to Initial Accreditation for Temporary Pathway Programs:

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: October 2026 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: February 2027 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: June 2027 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: October 2027 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: February 2028 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: June 2028 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: October 2028 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: February 2029 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: June 2029 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: October 2029 Agenda

• Candidacy Visit 3 in accordance with assigned Timetable to Initial Accreditation for Temporary Pathway Programs

  • Finalized Initial Accreditation Self-Study submitted for BOA review in accordance with assigned Timetable to Initial Accreditation for Temporary Pathway Programs

• Candidacy Visit Report produced by Visitor

• Program Response to the Candidacy Visit Report

• Initial Accreditation Decision by BOA in accordance with assigned Timetable to Initial Accreditation for Temporary Pathway Programs

Traditional Pathway Applicants

TheTraditional Pathway Application is a three-year developmental model (see Benchmark Grid(Opens in a new window)) for programs that are not eligible for, or choose not to pursue, the Temporary Alternative Pathway and includes a benchmarking process. Documents will be accepted starting August 1, 2025.

New Applicant Process: 

• Review and select a Candidacy Timetable. 

• Submit Candidacy Eligibility Application(Opens in a new window) in accordance with selected Candidacy Timetable.

• Review Candidacy Fees and Related Expenses and pay the Candidacy Eligibility Fee(Opens in a new window)

  • Programs interested in applying may pay the Candidacy Eligibility Fee at this time, if desired. Please note this does not place the program in the review queue. The queue will open with the submission of completed program documents in August 2025.

• Submit Benchmark 1 materials in accordance with selected Candidacy Timetable

  • Benchmark 1 Volume 1 Template

  • Benchmark 1 Volume 2 (Syllabi)

  • Benchmark 1 Volume 3 (Student Handbook)

  • Benchmark 1 Approval Standards Writing Checklist

• Program granted pre-candidacy upon staff approval of Benchmark 1 materials

Candidacy Process: See candidacy process page for next steps. Required documents for Candiacy Process:

• Candidacy Eligibility Application(Opens in a new window)

• Benchmark 1 Volume 1 Template

  • Benchmark 1 Approval Standards Writing Checklist

• Benchmark 2 Volume 1 Template

• Initial Accreditation Eligibility Application

• Benchmark 3/Initial Accreditation Self-Study Volume 1 Template

Required Forms: 

• Form AS D3.0.1 - Curriculum Matrix

• Form AS D4.1.1 - Faculty Summary Form

• Faculty Data Form

• Form AS D4.3.1 - Budget Form

• Form AS D4.3.3 - Library Report Form

• Form AS D5.0.1(a) - Student Achievement Assessment Plan

• Form AS D5.0.1(b) - Student Achievement of Assessment Outcomes

• Form AS D5.0.1(d) - Public Reporting of Assessment Outcomes

• Form AS D5.0.3 - Program Outcomes Assessment

CSWE Presentations:

April 2025 | Update on CSWE Accreditation for DSW Programs

May 2025 | Practice Doctorate Accreditation Info Session
CSWE accreditation staff hosted an info session explaining the accreditation process, two application pathways, the Practice Doctorate Accreditation Toolkit, and sneak peeks at future resources, trainings, and services.

Training:

Training 
We are excited to announce the live accreditation training for practice doctorate social work programs planning to seek CSWE accreditation.  

Contact Us:

Programs interested in seeking accreditation post-pilot are encouraged to complete the Practice Doctorate Program Record Audit Form. This will allow CSWE to maintain accurate records to communicate important updates as they become available.