News

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) condemn the removal by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners of a rule prohibiting social workers from discriminating against clients based on the client’s sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

As cases of COVID-19 continue to increase, our nation is facing many enormous challenges. Safeguarding our mental and physical health can be a catch-22. To slow the spread of the virus, we are asked to physically isolate ourselves from society. Even recovering from COVID-19 usually involves a lengthy period of social isolation. However, as social work and other research has demonstrated, prolonged social isolation compromises mental health. Read more.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to force higher education institutions in the United States to quickly make adjustments and alter the way they operate this school year, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) conducted a “pulse” survey of members to better understand how social work education programs in the United States are being affected. Read more here.

Given the pervasive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and its Commission on Accreditation (COA) announced new updates to field hours that social work programs can choose to implement through May 2022.

With the election season in full swing and the COVID-19 pandemic unabating, the national conversation about economic recovery has intensified. We know that the pandemic has affected the mental health of our clients, communities, and colleagues, which already had poor access to mental and physical health care. We also know that these challenges are only exacerbated by losses of income. Social workers are essential not just in shaping this conversation but in shaping the recovery, particularly for those most vulnerable to economic downturns. Read more. 

Educational debt for baccalaureate and master’s social work graduates has reached a new high, according to the 2019 Annual Statistics on Social Work Education in the United States report. This comprehensive report provides a picture of social work program offerings, students, and faculty members, including enrollment numbers, demographics, student loan debt, and salary information. 

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is pleased to release the Curricular Guide for Environmental Justice, the newest addition to the 2015 EPAS Curricular Guide Resource Series. Read more here.

We remember and celebrate the accomplishments of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died last Friday at 87. During her 27 years on the Supreme Court and before that appointment, Ginsburg was, in Chief Justice John Roberts words, “a tireless and resolute champion for justice.” We remember Ginsburg for her efforts to end discrimination based on gender, to ensure all women’s access to reproductive choice, and to point out the need for continued support of racial equality in voting among other social justice initiatives. Read more.

Social work programs across the country value and respect diversity and inclusiveness, are committed to a learning environment of cultural humility, and exist to prepare social workers to advance equity and justice. As such, the Council on Social Work Education takes issue with the president’s recent executive order.

Voting determines who sets policies regarding racial, social, and economic justice at the city, state, and federal levels. On September 29, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the National Social Work Voter Mobilization Campaign will co-host a free Web event. Programs will highlight their activities that help drive voter engagement, and speakers will highlight free resources that make it easy for students and faculty members to organize voter registration programs.