October 2013 COA Decisions
Council on Social Work Education - Commission on Accreditation
Notice of Accreditation Actions - October 2013
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 October 2013 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
- Eastern Connecticut State University (CT)
- Louisiana College (LA)
- Lourdes University (OH)
- New Mexico State University (NM)
- Southern Connecticut State University (CT)
- University of North Carolina at Wilmington (NC)
- University of Oklahoma (OK)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
- Valparaiso University (IN)
- West Virginia University (WV)
Master’s
- Columbia University (NY)
- New Mexico State University (NM)
- Smith College (MA)
- Southern Connecticut State University (CT)
- University of Connecticut (CT)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
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 one year.
Baccalaureate
- Delta State University (MS), based on Assessment
- Hardin-Simmons University (TX), based on Curriculum; Diversity; and Resources
- Indiana Wesleyan University (IN), based on Administrative Structure
- Jacksonville State University (AL), based on Student Participation and Faculty
- Northern Michigan University (NM), based on Assessment
- Sacred Heart University (CT), based on Student Development
- Saint Leo University (FL), based on Assessment
- Shaw University (NC), based on Administrative Structure and Assessment
- Southern Arkansas University (AR), based on Mission and Goals; Faculty; Administrative Structure; and Assessment
- University of Southern Maine (ME), based on Resources
- York College, City University of New York (NY), based on Administrative Structure; Resources; and Assessment
Master’s
- Louisiana State University (LA), based on Mission and Goals and Curriculum
- University of Oklahoma (OK), based on Administrative Structure
- University of Southern Maine (ME), based on Faculty; Administrative Structure; and Assessment
- West Chester University (PA), based on Assessment
- West Virginia University (WV), 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
- Livingstone College (NC), based on Field Education; Administrative Structure; Resources; and Assessment
- Union University (TN), based on Diversity
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's accredited status is restored until its next accreditation cycle.
Baccalaureate
- Southern University and A & M College (LA)
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
- Saint Martin's University (WA)
Master's
- Texas Christian University (TX)
- Walden University (MN)
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.
Master's
- Johnson C. Smith University (NC), based on Curriculum
- Spring Arbor University (MI), based on Mission and Goals and Curriculum
- 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.
Baccalaureate
- Lincoln University (MO)
- North Central University (MN)
- Universidad del Turabo, Sistema Universitario Ana G. Mendez (PR)
- University of North Florida (FL)
- Utah Valley University (UT)
- Virginia Wesleyan College (VA)
Master's
- Greater Miami Valley Collaborative (Miami University & Wright State University) (OH)
- University of Memphis (TN)
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
- Judson College (AL)
- Union Institute and University (OH)
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.
Baccalaureate
- Sojourner Douglass College (MD), based on Program Governance, Administrative Structure, and Resources; Faculty; Student Professional Development; and Program Assessment and Continuous Improvement
Master's
- Trevecca Nazarene University (TN), based on Curriculum and 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.
Baccalaureate
- Virginia State University (VA)
Master's
- Northern Kentucky University (KY)
Accept First Progress Report
All areas of concern were addressed in the progress report, and no further action by the program is required.
Baccalaureate
- Ferris State University (MI)
- Seton Hall University (NJ)
- Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville (IL)
Master's
- Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville (IL)
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 one 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
- Concordia College (NY), based on Assessment
- Kentucky State University (KY), based on Field Education; Student Development; and Assessment
- New Mexico Highlands University (NM), based on Assessment
- St. Augustine College (IL), based on Assessment
Master’s
- New Mexico Highlands University (NM), based on Assessment
Accept Second Progress Report
All areas of concern were addressed in the progress report, and no further action by the program is required.
Baccalaureate
- Grambling State University (LA)
Master’s
- East Tennessee State University (TN)
- Grambling State University (LA)
- St. Ambrose University (IA)
- University of Toledo (OH)
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
- Bradley University (IL)
- Centenary College (NJ)
- Concordia University (OR)
- Goshen College (IN)
- Hawaii Pacific University (HI)
- Johnson C. Smith University (NC)
- Monmouth University (NJ)
- Norfolk State University (VA)
- Oglala Lakota College (SD)
- Ohio University (OH)
- Seton Hill University (PA)
- Spalding University (KY)
- University of Rio Grande (OH)
- University of Southern Mississippi (MS)
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (TN)
- University of the District of Columbia (DC)
- Western New England University (MA)
Master’s
- Hawaii Pacific University (HI)
- Monmouth University (NJ)
- Norfolk State University (VA)
- Ohio University (OH)
- Spalding University (KY)
- University of St. Francis (IL)
- University of Southern Mississippi (MS)