October 2022 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 2022 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 1 and grants the program Candidacy status. The decision letter instructs the program to prepare Benchmark 2 in preparation for its Commissioner Visit 2.
Master's
- Merrimack College (MA)
- Oakland University (MI)
- St. Joseph's University of New York (NY)
- Virginia State University (VA)
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.
Master's
- Alliant International University (CA), based on Specialized Practice and Administrative Structure
- Ana G. Mendez University (FL), based on Specialized Practice and Faculty
Grant a Second Year of Candidacy
The COA finds that the program is in compliance with Benchmark 2 and grants the program a second year in Candidacy. The decision letter instructs the program to prepare its Benchmark 3 / Initial Accreditation Self-Study in preparation for its Commissioner Visit 3.
Baccalaureate
- California Baptist University (CA)
- Kansas Wesleyan University (KS)
- Pacific Oaks College (CA)
Master's
- Texas A&M University - Texarkana (TX)
- University of North Alabama (AL)
- Weber State University (UT)
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
- Auburn University at Montgomery (AL), based on Assessment
Master's
- Eastern Kentucky University (KY), based on Diversity
- Limestone University (SC), based on Generalist Practice and Specialized Practice
- Pacific Oaks College (CA), based on Generalist Practice; Specialized Practice; Student Participation; Resources; and Assessment
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.
Master's
- University of the Pacific (CA)
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
- Abilene Christian University (TX)
- College at Fredonia, State University of New York (NY)
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FL)
- Fresno Pacific University (CA)
- Hunter College, City University of New York (NY)
- Missouri Southern State University (MO)
- Mount St. Joseph University (OH)
- Southern Arkansas University (AR)
- Union University (TN)
- University of Washington (WA)
- Valparaiso University (IN)
- Viterbo University (WI)
- Warner Pacific University (OR)
Master's
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FL)
- New Mexico State University (NM)
- Ohio University (OH)
- Southern Connecticut State University (CT)
- Union University (TN)
- University of California at Berkeley (CA)
- University of Washington (WA)
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
- Adrian College (MI), based on Assessment
- Colorado State University (CO), based on Assessment
- Delta State University (MS), based on Assessment
- New Mexico State University (NM), based on Administrative Structure
- Ohio University (OH), based on Resources
- Radford University (VA), based on Advisement, retention, and termination
- Southern Connecticut State University (CT), based on Faculty and Administrative Structure
- Universidad Ana G. Mendez – Carolina Campus (PR), based on Assessment
- University of Arkansas at Monticello (AR), based on Field Education
- University of Rio Grande (OH), Mission and Goals; Field Education; and Assessment
- University of Southern Mississippi (MS), based on Mission and Goals and Faculty
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (TN), based on Administrative Structure and Assessment
Master’s
- Abilene Christian University (TX), based on Generalist Practice and Assessment
- Colorado State University (CO), based on Faculty
- Florida Atlantic University (FL), based on Field Education and Assessment
- Pacific University (OR), based on Generalist Practice; Specialized Practice; Field Education; Advisement, Retention, and Termination; and Assessment
- Radford University (VA), based on Advisement, Retention, and Termination
- Spalding University (KY), based on Generalist Practice and Faculty
- University of Southern Mississippi (MS), based on Admissions
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (TN), based on Faculty; 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
- Florida Atlantic University (FL), based on Faculty and Assessment
- Spalding University (KY), based on Generalist Practice; Admissions; and Assessment
Master's
- Madonna University (MI), based on Generalist Practice; Specialized Practice; Field Education; Admissions; and Assessment
Request Progress Report following Special Compliance Review
The COA finds one or more areas of concern and requests a 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.
Baccalaureate
- Utah Valley University (UT), based on Assessment
Accept Second Progress Report following Special Compliance Review
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)
Accept First Progress Report
All areas of concern were addressed in the progress report, and no further action by the program is required.
Baccalaureate
- Belhaven University (MS)
- Carthage College (WI)
- Madonna University (MI)
- Newman University (KS)
- Saint Leo University (FL)
- University of Oklahoma (OK)
Master's
- Alvernia University (PA)
- Austin Peay State University (TN)
Accept Second Progress Report
All areas of concern were addressed in the progress report, and no further action by the program is required.
Baccalaureate
- Gwynedd Mercy University (PA)
Order a Modified Site Visit Report
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 COA meeting following the site visit.
Baccalaureate
- Methodist College (IL), based on Assessment
Accept Program-Requested Withdrawal
The program has requested to withdraw its accredited status and the COA has approved this request.
Baccalaureate
- Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (PA)
- Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania (PA)
- Mansfield University of Pennsylvania (PA)
Master's
- California University of Pennsylvania (PA)
Issue a Letter of Instruction 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
- Alabama State University (AL)
- Augusta University (GA)
- Bradley University (IL)
- Goshen College (IN)
- Jarvis Christian University (TX)
- Manchester University (IN)
- Midwestern State University (TX)
- Mississippi Valley State University (MS)
- Missouri Western State University (MO)
- Pacific Union College (CA)
- Saint Joseph's College of Maine (ME)
- San Jose State University (CA)
- Skidmore College (NY)
- Temple University (PA)
- Texas Tech University (TX)
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto Aguadilla (PR)
- University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (TX)
- University of St. Francis, The (IL)
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (WI)
- Ursuline College (OH)
- Westfield State University (MA)
Master’s
- Alabama State University (AL)
- California State University, Bakersfield (CA)
- Columbia University (NY)
- Mississippi Valley State University (MS)
- San Jose State University (CA)
- Tarleton State University (TX)
- Temple University (PA)
- Texas Tech University (TX)
- University of St. Francis, The (IL)
- Westfield State University (MA)