February 2016 COA Decisions
Council on Social Work Education - Commission on Accreditation
Notice of Accreditation Actions - February 2016
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/November.
The Commission on Accreditation (COA) took the following actions at its February 2016 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
- Central Michigan University (MI)
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana (LA)
- Point Loma Nazarene University (CA)
- Ramapo College (NJ)
- Siena College (NY)
- University of Alaska, Fairbanks (AK)
- University of Central Missouri (MO)
- William Woods University (MO)
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
- Bemidji State University (MN), based on Mission and Goals and Assessment
- Cornerstone University (MI), based on Assessment
- Florida Gulf Coast University (FL), based on Faculty
- Georgian Court University (NJ), based on Diversity
- Governors State University (IL), based on Field Education and Assessment
- Indiana State University (IN), based on Faculty
- King University (TN), based on Faculty
- Tennessee State University (TN), based on Field Education, Faculty, and Assessment
- Texas Southern University (TX), based on Faculty
Master’s
- Campbellsville University (KY), based on Curriculum, Faculty, and Administrative Structure
- Chicago State University (IL), based on Assessment
- Governors State University (IL), based on Field Education and Assessment
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke (NC), based on Admissions
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
- Mississippi College (MS), based on Faculty and Assessment
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
- Greenville College (IL)
- Liberty University (VA)
- Missouri Southern State University (MO)
- Neumann University (PA)
- Northern Arizona University, Yuma (AZ)
Master's
- Capella University (MN)
- Daemen College (NY)
- Ramapo College (NJ)
- Seton Hall University (NJ)
- Texas Tech University (TX)
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
- Colorado Mesa University (CO)
- Texas A&M University-Central Texas (TX)
- Warner Pacific University (OR)
Master's
- Clarke University (IA)
- College of Staten Island (NY)
- Ferris State University (MI)
- George Fox University (OR)
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
- Pacific University (OR), based on Admissions
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
- Belhaven University (MS)
- Lancaster Bible College (PA)
Master's
- Erikson Institute (IL)
- Quinnipiac University (CT)
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 and a due date for the progress report.
Master's
- Park University (MO), based on Field Education, Faculty, and Administrative Structure
- Troy University (AL), based on Mission and Goals, Field Education, 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
- Abilene Christian University (TX)
- Augsburg College (MN)
- St. Cloud State University (MN)
- Simmons College (MA)
- Wheelock College (MA)
Master's
- Arkansas State University (AR)
- Augsburg College (MN)
- St. Cloud State University (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
- Philander Smith College (AR), based on Assessment
Master's
- Abilene Christian University (TX), based on Field Education
Issue a Letter of Instructions to the Site Visitor
A Letter of Instructions is provided to the site visitor(s) and program specifying Accreditation Standards which the visitor is instructed to address.
Baccalaureate
- Alcorn State University (MS)
- Barton College (NC)
- California State University, Fresno (CA)
- East Carolina University (NC)
- Eastern Washington University (WA)
- Marywood University (PA)
- Nazareth College of Rochester (NY)
- Nebraska Wesleyan University (NE)
- Northeastern Illinois University (IL)
- Northwestern College (IA)
- Olivet Nazarene University (IL)
- Regis College (MA)
- University of Central Florida (FL)
- University of Guam (GU)
- University of Houston-Clear Lake (TX)
- University of Louisiana at Monroe (LA)
- University of South Carolina (SC)
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (WI)
- Whittier College (CA)
Master’s
- California State University, Fresno (CA)
- East Carolina University (NC)
- Eastern Washington University (WA)
- Marywood University (PA)
- Stockton University (NJ)
- University of Central Florida (FL)
- University of South Carolina (SC)