October 2021 COA Decisions

October 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 October 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 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

• Auburn University at Montgomery (AL)

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

• Angelo State University (TX)
• Grand Canyon University (AZ)
• Northern Michigan University (MI)
• University of the Pacific (CA)

Grant Initial Accreditation for 8 Years

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

Baccalaureate

• Binghamton University, State University of New York (NY)
• Fairfield University (CT)
• Point University (GA)
• St. Ambrose University (IA)

Master's

• Fairfield University (CT)
• Northcentral University (CA)
• Universidad Ana G. Mendez – Gurabo Campus (PR)

Grant Initial 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 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

• Newman University (KS), based on Assessment

Master's

•  Alvernia University (PA), based on Advisement, retention, and termination
• Austin Peay State University (TN), based on Field Education and Advisement, retention, and termination

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

• Avila University (MO)
• Baylor University (TX)
• Grand View University (IA)
• Long Island University, Brooklyn (NY)
• Louisiana College (LA)
• Hardin-Simmons University (TX)
• Livingstone College (NC)
• Winthrop University (SC)
• University of Southern Maine (ME)
• University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
• West Virginia University (WV)
• Sacred Heart University (CT)
• Lincoln Memorial University (TN)

Master's

• University of Connecticut (CT)
• University of Oklahoma (OK)
• University of Southern Maine (ME)
• University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
• Winthrop University (SC) 

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

• Belhaven University (MS), based on Assessment
• Carthage College (WI), based on Generalist Practice; Diversity; and Assessment
• Saint Leo University (FL), based on Generalist Practice and Assessment
• University of Oklahoma (OK), based on Assessment
• Winona State University (MN), based on Field Education

Master’s

• Smith College (MA), based on Faculty

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

• Lindenwood University (MO), based on Generalist practice; Diversity; Faculty; and Assessment
• Tabor College (KS), based on 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

• Delaware State University (DE)
• Georgia State University (GA)
• New Mexico Highlands University (NM)
• Niagara University (NY)
• University of Minnesota-Duluth (MN)
• Wartburg College (IA)

Master's

• Delaware State University (DE)
• Georgia State University (GA)
• New Mexico Highlands University (NM)
• University of Minnesota-Duluth (MN)

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

• Benedict College (SC), based on Assessment
• Shaw University (NC), based on Assessment
• St. Augustine College (IL), based on Field Education

Accept Second Progress Report

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

Baccalaureate

• Bowling Green State University (OH)
• University of Cincinnati (OH)
• Walla Walla University (WA)

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

• Brescia University (KY)
• Southeastern Louisiana University (LA)

Restore Accredited Status and Request a Progress Report

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

•  Madonna University (MI), based on Generalist Practice and Assessment

Accept the Program’s Response to the Modified Site Visit Report

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

Baccalaureate

• Wright State University (OH)

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

• Boston University (MA), based on Assessment
• University of Nebraska at Omaha (NE), based on Assessment

Accept Program-Requested Withdrawal

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

Baccalaureate

• Northern Arizona University, Yuma (AZ)

Master’s

• Mid-Tennessee Collaborative (Austin Peay State University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Tennessee State University) (TN)

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

• Central Connecticut State University (CT)
• Central State University (OH)
• Clark Atlanta University (GA)
• Fordham University (NY)
• Fresno Pacific University (CA)
• Gannon University (PA)
• Hawai‘i Pacific University (HI)
• Indiana Wesleyan University (IN)
• Johnson C. Smith University (NC)
• Northern Michigan University (MI)
• Oglala Lakota College (SD)
• Ohio University (OH)
• Seton Hill University (PA)
• Thomas University (GA)
• Universidad del Sagrado Corazon (University of the Sacred Heart) (PR
• University of Rio Grande (OH)
• University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)

Master’s

• Clark Atlanta University (GA)
• Fordham University (NY)
• Hawai‘i Pacific University (HI)
• Indiana Wesleyan University (IN)
• Keuka College (NY)
• Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Shippensburg University Collaborative (PA)
• Newman University (KS)
• Ohio University (OH)
• Pacific University (OR)
• West Virginia University (WV)