February 2014 COA Decisions

 

February 2014 COA Decisions

Council on Social Work Education - Commission on Accreditation

Notice of Accreditation Actions - February 2014

Accrediting agencies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation are required to notify the public of the basis for final accreditation decisions. The Commission on Accreditation (COA) meets this requirement by publishing a notice of accreditation actions on its website after each Commission meeting. COA meetings take place three times a year, in February, June, and October.

The Commission on Accreditation (COA) took the following actions at its February 2014 meeting regarding the social work programs sponsored by the institutions listed below. Actions taken below are listed by decision category. Standards referenced in this report can be reviewed in our 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Reaffirm Accreditation for 8 Years

The COA finds the program in compliance with all educational policy and accreditation standards and the program was granted continued accreditation for 8 years.

Baccalaureate

  • Adrian College (MI)
  • Ball State University (IN)
  • Bridgewater State University (MA)
  • College of Saint Rose (NY)
  • Eastern Mennonite University (VA)
  • Fordham University (NY)
  • Gordon College (MA)
  • Lipscomb University (TN)
  • Mansfield University of Pennsylvania (PA)
  • Mississippi State University-Meridian (MS)
  • Pacific Union College (CA)
  • Tarleton State University (TX)
  • University of Akron (OH)
  • University of Nevada, Reno (NV)
  • University of North Dakota (ND)
  • University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (WI)
  • Western Carolina University (NC)
  • Westfield State University (MA)
  • York College, City University of New York (NY)

Master’s

  • Appalachian State University (NC)
  • University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (MN)
  • University of Nevada, Reno (NV)
  • University of North Dakota (ND)
  • Western Carolina University (NC)

Reaffirm Accreditation for 8 Years with a Progress Report

The COA finds the program in compliance with all educational policy and accreditation standards, but identifies one or more areas of concern that must be addressed in a progress report. The program was granted continued accreditation for 8 years, with a progress report to be submitted within 1 year.

Baccalaureate

  • Bethany College (WV), based on Mission and Goals
  • Huntington University (IN), based on Assessment
  • Limestone College (SC), based on Field Education and Assessment
  • Livingstone College (NC), based on Assessment

Master’s

  • Fordham University (NY), based on Admissions
  • Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Shippensburg University Collaborative (PA), based on Faculty

Defer a Decision on Reaffirmation of Accreditation to the Next Meeting and Request Clarifying Information

The COA finds that the program’s documentation is insufficient to make a decision, so the program must submit documentation or clarification necessary for the COA to make a decision at the next meeting.

Baccalaureate

  • Union University (TN), based on Diversity 

Place on Conditional Accredited Status

The COA finds the program out of compliance with one or more educational policy and/or accreditation standard and places it on conditional accredited status if it believes that noncompliance issues can be resolved by the program within 1 year. The COA’s letter identifies specific areas of noncompliance. Conditional status is an adverse decision, and programs may request reconsideration. If the program accepts the COA’s decision, it submits a restoration report.

Baccalaureate

  • Morehead State University (KY), based on Faculty

Grant Candidacy Status

The COA finds that the program is in compliance with Benchmark I and grants the program candidacy status. The decision letter instructs the program to prepare Benchmark II in preparation for its Commissioner Visit II.

Baccalaureate

  • Belhaven University (MS)
  • Lancaster Bible College (PA)

Master's

  • College of Saint Scholastica (MN)
  • Erikson Institute (IL)
  • Johnson C. Smith University (NC)
  • Park University (MO)
  • Quinnipiac University (CT)
  • Spring Arbor University (MI)

Defer Decision on Candidacy and Request Clarifying Information

The COA decides to defer a decision when the program’s documentation is insufficient to make a decision. A deferral is for one meeting only. Before the next commission meeting the program is expected to submit the documentation or clarification necessary for the COA to make a decision.

Baccalaureate

  • Tabor College (KS), based on Curriculum

Master's

  • Troy University (AL), based on Curriculum and Administrative Structure
  • Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Arecibo (PR), based on Administrative Structure 

Grant a Second Year of Candidacy

The COA finds that the program is in compliance with Benchmark II and grants the program a second year in candidacy. The decision letter instructs the program to prepare Benchmark III in preparation for its Commissioner Visit III.

Master's

  • Indiana State University (IN) 

Defer Decision on Second Year of Candidacy and Request Clarifying Information
The COA decides to defer a decision when the program’s documentation is insufficient to make a decision. A deferral is for one meeting only. Before the next commission meeting the program is expected to submit the documentation or clarification necessary for the COA to make a decision.

Baccalaureate

  • West Liberty University (WV), based on Assessment 

Grant a Third Year of Candidacy

The COA finds that the program is in compliance with Benchmark III and grants the program a third year in candidacy. The decision letter instructs the program to prepare Benchmark IV in preparation for its Commissioner Visit IV.

Baccalaureate

  • Fayetteville State University (NC)
  • Sojourner-Douglass College (MD) 
  • Trevecca Nazarene University (TN)

Defer Decision on Third Year of Candidacy and Request Clarifying Information

The COA decides to defer a decision when the program’s documentation is insufficient to make a decision. A deferral is for one meeting only. Before the next commission meeting the program is expected to submit the documentation or clarification necessary for the COA to make a decision.

Master's

  • Universidad del Este (PR), based on Faculty 

Grant Initial Accreditation for 4 Years

The COA finds the program in compliance with all accreditation standards and educational policy and grants accreditation for 4 years.

Baccalaureate

  • College of Staten Island (NY)

Master's

  • Metropolitan State University of Denver (CO)
  • University of Memphis (TN)

Grant Initial Accreditation for 4 Years with a Progress Report to be Reviewed by the COA

The COA finds the program in compliance with all educational policy and accreditation standards, but identifies one or more areas of concern that must be addressed in a progress report that the COA will review. The COA’s letter identifies specific areas of concern and a due date for the progress report.

Baccalaureate

  • Angelo State University (GA), based on Mission and Goals and Assessment

Master's

  • Albany State University (GA), based on Curriculum; Faculty; and Administrative Structure

Accept First Progress Report

All areas of concern were addressed in the progress report, and no further action by the program is required.

Baccalaureate

  • Campbellsville University (KY)
  • Delta State University (MS)
  • Lindenwood University (MO)
  • Shaw University (NC)
  • University of South Alabama (AL)

Master's

  • Kennesaw State University (GA)

Receive First Progress Report and Request a Second Progress Report

COA finds that one or more of the concerns in the first progress report are still areas of concern and requests a second progress report to be submitted within 1 year. The COA’ s letter identifies specific areas of concern and a due date for the progress report. If the second progress report is not accepted, the program is automatically placed on conditional accreditation.

Baccalaureate

  • Bluffton University (OH), based on Assessment
  • Niagara University (NY), based on Assessment
  • North Carolina Central University (NC), based on Assessment
  • Rust College (MS), based on Assessment
  • University of Cincinnati (OH), based on Assessment

Master’s

  • University of Cincinnati (OH), based on Assessment
  • University of Oklahoma (OK), based on Administrative Structure

Accept Second Progress Report

All areas of concern were addressed in the progress report, and no further action by the program is required.

Baccalaureate

  • Walla Walla University (WA)

Master’s

  • Walla Walla University (WA)

Issue a Letter of Instructions to the Site Visitor(s)

A Letter of Instructions is provided to the site visitor(s) and program specifying Accreditation Standards which the visitor is instructed to address.

Baccalaureate

  • Abilene Christian University (TX)
  • Avila University (MO)
  • Carthage College (WI)
  • Chadron State College (NE)
  • College at Fredonia, State University of New York (NY)
  • College of Mount Saint Joseph (OH)
  • Colorado State University (CO)
  • Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (PA)
  • Longwood University (VA)
  • Radford University (VA)
  • University of Arkansas at Monticello (AR)
  • Viterbo University (WI)
  • Winona State University (MN)

Master’s

  • Abilene Christian University (TX)
  • Colorado State University (CO)
  • Minnesota State University, Mankato (MN)
  • Radford University (VA)
  • University of California at Berkeley (CA)