February 2021 COA Decisions
Council on Social Work Education Commission on Accreditation
Notice of Accreditation Actions
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 meets in February, June, and October each year.
The COA took the following actions at its February 2021 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 and 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
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
- University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (CO)
Master's
- Austin Peay State University (TN)
- Cairn University (PA)
- Fort Hays State University (KS)
- Lesley University (MA)
- Middle Tennessee State University (TN)
- Missouri Baptist University (MO)
- Tennessee State University (TN)
- University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (CO)
- University of Pikeville (KY)
Defer a Decision on Candidacy
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
- Kansas Wesleyan University (KS), based on Generalist Practice and Resources
- Pacific Oaks College (CA), based on Generalist Practice and Admissions
- Touro University Worldwide (CA), based on Admissions
Master's
- Dordt University (IA), based on Mission and Goals; Generalist Practice; and Admissions
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 its Initial Accreditation Self-Study in preparation for its Commissioner Visit III.
Baccalaureate
- Aultman College (OH)
- Binghamton University, State University of New York (NY)
- Lesley University (MA)
- Marian University (IN)
- Point University (GA)
Master's
- Alvernia University (PA)
- Colorado State University-Pueblo (CO)
- Fairfield University (CT)
- Northcentral University (CA)
- Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (MN)
- Winona State University (MN)
Defer a Decision on Second Year of Candidacy
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
- Ball State University (IN), based on Advisement, Retention, and Termination; Faculty; and Administrative Structure
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
- Alverno College (WI)
- Universidad Ana G. Mendez – Cupey Campus (PR)
Master's
- Miami University (OH)
- Regis College (MA)
- Wright State University (OH)
- York College, City University of New York (NY)
Grant Initial Accreditation for 4 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 that the COA will review. The COA’s letter identifies specific areas of concern for the progress report that will be due within 1 year.
Baccalaureate
- University of Connecticut (CT), baed on Administrative Structure and Assessment
Master's
- Brandman University (CA), based on Generalist Practice and Specialized Practice
Defer a Decision on Initial Accreditation
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
- Southwestern Assemblies of God University (TX), based on Field Education
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
- Campbellsville University (KY)
- Carlow University (PA)
- Eastern New Mexico University (NM)
- Indiana University (IN)
- Minot State University (ND)
- Mississippi State University-Meridian (MS)
- North Carolina State University (NC)
- Northwestern Oklahoma State University (OK)
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
- Texas A&M University-Central Texas (TX)
- University of Nebraska at Kearney (NE)
- University of North Carolina at Wilmington (NC)
- Widener University (PA)
- Youngstown State University (OH)
Master's
- College of Staten Island (NY)
- Grambling State University (LA)
- Indiana University (IN)
- Kennesaw State University (GA)
- North Carolina State University (NC)
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
- Tulane University (LA)
- University of North Carolina at Wilmington (NC)
- Widener University (PA)
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
- Kentucky State University (KY), based on Generalist Practice and Advisement, retention, and termination
- North Carolina Central University (NC), based on Mission & Goals and Generalist Practice
- Northeastern State University (OK), based on Field Education
- Plattsburgh State University of New York (NY), based on Faculty
- Salish Kootenai College (MT), based on Specialized Practice and Assessment
- University of Minnesota-Duluth (MN), based on Field Education
- University of Nebraska at Omaha (NE), based on Faculty and Administrative Structure
- University of South Florida (FL), based on Administrative Structure and Assessment
- Wartburg College (IA), based on Assessment
- West Texas A&M University (TX), based on Student Participation
Master’s
- College of Saint Scholastica (MN), based on Administrative Structure and Assessment
- Morgan State University (MD), based on Generalist Practice
- University of Minnesota-Duluth (MN), based on Field Education and Administrative Structure
- University of South Florida (FL), baed on Administrative Structure and Assessment
Defer a Decision on Reaffirmation of Accreditation to the Next Meeting 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
- Castleton University (VT), based on Assessment
- Lincoln Memorial University (TN), based on Assessment
- Morgan State University (MD), based on Faculty
- Mount Mercy University (IA), based on Assessment
Master's
- University of Nebraska at Omaha (NE), based on Faculty; Administrative Structure; and Assessment
Accept First Progress Report
All areas of concern were addressed in the progress report, and no further action by the program is required.
Baccalaureate
- Brandman University (CA)
- Southeast Missouri State University (MO)
- Tarleton State University (TX)
Master's
- Concordia University Wisconsin (WI)
- Johnson C. Smith University (NC)
- Nazareth College of Rochester (NY)
- University of North Florida (FL)
Receive First Progress Report and Request a Second Progress Report
The 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
- Gwynedd Mercy University (PA), based on Assesment
- Lehman College, City University of New York (NY), based on Resources
- Misericordia University (PA), based on Advisement, retention, and termination; Resources; and Assessment
- Troy University (AL), based on Assessment
- University of Cincinnati (OH), based on Field Education
- University of Vermont (VT), based on Admissions and Administrative Structure
Master's
- Bridgewater State University (MA), based on Assessment
- Lehman College, City University of New York (NY), based on Resources
- Minnesota State University, Mankato (MN), based on Generalist Practice
Accept Second Progress Report
All areas of concern were addressed in the progress report, and no further action by the program is required.
Baccalaureate
- Fort Valley State University (GA)
- Kentucky Christian University (KY)
- Salem State University (MA)
- Virginia Union University (VA)
Master's
- California State University, Sacramento (CA)
- Salem State University (MA)
- Spring Arbor University (MI)
- University of Kentucky (KY)
Restore Accredited Status
A program on Conditional Accredited Status submitted a restoration report to have full accreditation restored. The COA review of the program's restoration report finds that the program has taken corrective action and is in compliance with all standards. The program was granted continued accreditation.
Baccalaureate
- SUNY Buffalo State (NY)
- University of Wyoming (WY)
Master’s
- University of Wyoming (WY)
- Youngstown State University (OH)
Order a Modified Site Visit
If the COA believes that a program may be out of compliance with one or more educational policy or accreditation standards, the COA can order a modified site visit to collect more information. A site visitor is sent, at the program’s expense, to review specific compliance issues. This program is reviewed at the next COA meeting after the site visit.
Baccalaureate
- Southeastern Louisiana University (LA), based on Faculty and Administrative Structure
- Wright State University (OH), based on Administrative Structure
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. Programs remain accredited while on conditional accredited status.
Baccalaureate
- University of North Florida (FL), based on Assessment
Master’s
- San Diego State University (CA), based on Faculty
Issue a Letter of Instructions to the Site Visitor
A Letter of Instructions is provided to the site visitor and program specifying accreditation standards which the visitor is instructed to address.
Baccalaureate
- Avila University (MO)
- Carthage College (WI)
- Grand View University (IA)
- Hardin-Simmons University (TX)
- Lindenwood University (MO)
- Louisiana College (LA)
- Sacred Heart University (CT)
- Saint Leo University (FL)
- Tabor College (KS)
- University of Oklahoma (OK)
- University of Southern Maine (ME)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
- West Virginia University (WV)
- Winona State University (MN)
Master’s
- Boston University (MA)
- Smith College (MA)
- University of Connecticut (CT)
- University of Oklahoma (OK)
- University of Southern Maine (ME)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)