June 2021 COA Decisions

June 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 June 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

• Kansas Wesleyan University (KS)
• Middle Georgia State University (GA)
• Pacific Oaks College (CA)
• Touro University Worldwide (CA)

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.

Master's

• Ball State University (IN)
• Chamberlain University (IL)

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.

Baccalaureate

• Maryville University (MO), based on Field Education; Student Participation; Administrative Structure; and Assessment

Master's

• Grand Canyon University (AZ), based on Specialized Practice and Diversity
• Northern Michigan University (MI), based on Assessment

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.

Master's

• Louisiana College (LA)
• Northeastern State University (OK)
• Utah Valley University (UT)

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

• Southwestern Assemblies of God University (TX), based on Field Education

Master's

•  Idaho State University (ID), based on Generalist Practice; Specialized Practice; and Student Participation

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

• Bethel University (MN)
• Calvin University (MI)
• Castleton University (VT)
• Dalton State College (GA)
• Dordt University (IA)
• Huntington University (IN)
• La Salle University (PA)
• Luther College (IA)
• Morgan State University (MD)
• Mount Mercy University (IA)
• Texas Woman's University (TX)
• Universidad Central de Bayamon (PR)
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro (NC)
• University of Pittsburgh (PA)
• University of South Alabama (AL)
• Western Connecticut State University (CT)

Master's

• Baylor University (TX)
• Brigham Young University (UT)
• Samford University (AL)
• Simmons University (MA)
• Springfield College (MA)
• University of Pittsburgh (PA)
• University of Texas at San Antonio (TX)

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

• Eastern Connecticut State University (CT), based on Field Education
• Rust College (MS), based on Diversity and Assessment
• South Carolina State University (SC), based on Assessment
• Southern University at New Orleans (LA), based on Field Education
• Wichita State University (KS), based on Generalist Practice and Diversity

Master’s

• Southern University at New Orleans (LA), based on Assessment
• Wichita State University (KS), based on Generalist Practice and Diversity

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

• Baylor University (TX), based on Assessment
• Belhaven University (MS), based on Diversity and Assessment
• Lincoln Memorial University (TN), based on Assessment
• Livingstone College (NC), based on Mission and Goals; Generalist Practice; Field Education; Student Participation; Faculty; and Assessment
• Long Island University, Brooklyn (NY), based on Admissions and Assessment
• Winthrop University (SC), based on Faculty; Administrative Structure; and Resources

Master's

•  University of Nebraska at Omaha (NE), based on Assessment
• Winthrop University (KS), based on Field Education; Faculty; Administrative Structure; and Resources

Accept First Progress Report

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

Baccalaureate

• East Central University (OK)
• Grambling State University (LA)
• Northeastern State University (OK)
• Our Lady of the Lake University (TX)
• Saginaw Valley State University (MI)
• Union Institute & University (OH)
• University of Missouri-St. Louis (MO)

Master's

• Carlow University (PA)
• Northern Arizona University (AZ)
• Our Lady of the Lake University (TX)
• University of Missouri-St. Louis (MO)
• University of North Texas & Texas Woman's University Collaborative (TX)

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

• Methodist College (IL), based on Assessment
• Syracuse University (NY), based on Administrative Structure
• University of Illinois at Springfield (IL), based on Admissions

Master's

• Anna Maria College (MA), based on Field Education
• Syracuse University (NY), based on Administrative Structure
• University of Chicago (IL), based on Faculty

Accept Second Progress Report

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

Baccalaureate

• Oral Roberts University (OK)
• Savannah State University (GA)
• University of New England (ME)

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

• University of North Florida (FL)

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.

Master's

• Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Carolina Campus (PR), based on Faculty and 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.

Master’s

• Savannah State University (GA), based on Administrative Structure

Accept Program-Requested Withdrawal

The program has requested to withdraw its accredited status and the COA has approved this request.

Baccalaureate

• Concordia College (NY)
• Judson College (AL)

Master’s

• Greater Miami Valley MASW Collaborative (Miami University and Wright State University) (OH)

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

• Adrian College (MI)
• Ball State University (IN)
• Bethany College (WV)
• Bluffton University (OH)
• Bridgewater State University (MA)
• Colorado Mesa University (CO)
• Eastern Mennonite University (VA)
• Juniata College (PA)
• Limestone University (SC)
• Lipscomb University (TN)
• Lourdes University (OH)
• Monmouth University (NJ)
• Neumann University (PA)
• Nyack College (NY)
• Pittsburg State University (KS)
• Slippery Rock University (PA)
• Texas State University (TX )
• University of Mary (ND)
• University of Nevada, Reno (NV)
• University of the District of Columbia (DC)
• Western Carolina University (NC)
• York College, City University of New York (NY)

Master’s

• California State University, Dominguez Hills (CA)
• Capella University (MN)
• George Fox University (OR)
• Monmouth University (NJ)
• Nyack College (NY)
• Seton Hall University (NJ)
• Texas State University (TX)
• University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (MN)
• University of Nevada, Reno (NV)
• Western Carolina University (NC)