June 2019 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 meetings take place three times a year, in February, June, and October.
The Commission on Accreditation (COA) took the following actions at its June 2019 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
- Aultman College (OH)
- Southwestern Assemblies of God University (TX)
Master's
- Northeastern State University (OK)
Defer a Decision on Granting Candidacy Status
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
- Idaho State University (ID), based on Admissions
- Northcentral University (CA), based on Specialized Practice; Admissions; and Faculty
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
- Grove City College (PA)
- Gwynedd Mercy University (PA)
- Louisiana State University (LA)
Master's
- Anna Maria College (MA)
- Jacksonville State University (AL)
- Saginaw Valley State University (MI)
- University of North Florida (FL)
- University of North Texas & Texas Women's University Collaborative (TX)
- Utah Valley 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
- Methodist College (IL), based on Field Education; Admissions; Advisement, Retention, and Termination; Faculty; and Assessment
Master's
- Carlow University (PA), based on Specialized Practice; Advisement, Retention, and Termination; Student Participation; and Assessment
- College of Saint Rose (NY), based on Generalist Practice and Resources
- Louisiana College (LA), based on Faculty and Resources
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
- College of Saint Elizabeth (NJ)
- Jarvis Christian College (TX)
- Purdue University Northwest (IN)
- Tennessee Wesleyan University (TN)
Master's
- Indiana Wesleyan University (IN)
- Seattle University (WA)
- University of Indianapolis (IN)
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 one year.
Baccalaureate
- Fort Valley State University (GA), based on Assessment
- Saint Joseph's College (ME), based on Assessment
- University of New England (ME), based on Assessment
Defer a Decision on Initial Accreditation
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
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto Aguadilla (PR), based on Field Education; Diversity; and Assessment
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
- Anna Maria College (MA)
- Ashland University (OH)
- Belmont University (TN)
- East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (PA)
- Fort Hays State University (KS)
- Heritage University (WA)
- Iona College (NY)
- Marshall University (WV)
- Meredith College (NC)
- Miles College (AL)
- Millersville University of Pennsylvania (PA)
- Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff (AZ)
- Saint Mary's College (IN)
- Southwest Baptist University (MO)
- University at Albany, State University of New York (NY)
- University of Alabama (AL)
- University of Maine (ME)
- University of Tennessee at Martin (TN)
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VA)
Master's
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
- East Tennessee State University (TN)
- Fayetteville State University (NC)
- Kean University (NJ)
- Texas Christian University (TX)
- University at Albany, State University of New York (NY)
- University of Alabama (AL)
- University of Maine (ME)
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VA)
- Washington University in St. Louis (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
- Buena Vista University (IA), based on Administrative Structure
- Defiance College (OH), based on Field Education; Advisement, Retention, and Termination; and Assessment
- East Tennessee State University (TN), based on Assessment
- Elizabeth City State University (NC), based on Assessment
- Fayetteville State University (NC), based on Faculty
- Oral Roberts University (OK), based on Field Education; Advisement, Retention, and Termination; Administrative Structure; and Assessment
- Salem State University (MA), based on Advisement, Retention, and Termination; Faculty; Administrative Structure; and Resources
- Savannah State University (GA), based on Administrative Structure
Master’s
- Salem State University (MA), based on Faculty; Administrative Structure; and Resources
- Savannah State University (GA), based on Faculty and Administrative Structure
- Universidad Ana G. Mendez – Carolina Campus (PR), based on Specialist Practice; Field Education; Admissions; Faculty; Administrative Structure; Resources; and Assessment
Order a Modified Site Visit
The COA believes that a program may be out of compliance with one or more educational policy or accreditation standards and ordered 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.
Baccalaureate
- University of Sioux Falls (SD), based on Diversity; Advisement, Retention, and Termination; 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
- Lincoln University (MO), based on Mission and Goals; Generalist Education; Advisement, Retention, and Termination; and Assessment
- University of Texas of the Permian Basin (TX), based on Field Education; Advisement, Retention, and Termination; Student Engagement; Faculty; and Administrative Structure
Master's
- Portland State University (OR), based on Mission and Goals; Generalist Practice; Faculty; 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
- Alabama State University (AL)
- Cleveland State University (OH)
- George Fox University (OR)
- George Mason University (VA)
- Saint Francis University (PA)
- Shippensburg University (PA)
- Simmons University (MA)
- Winston Salem State University (NC)
Master's
- Alabama State University (AL)
- Marshall University (WV)
- Nyack College (NY)
- University of Kansas (KS)
- University of Maryland, Baltimore (MD)
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
- Judson College (AL), based on Field Education
Master's
- George Mason University (VA), based on Administrative Structure
Accept Second Progress Report
All areas of concern were addressed in the progress report, and no further action by the program is required.
Baccalaureate
- Central State University (OH)
- Columbia College (SC)
- Mississippi Valley State University (MS)
- Siena Heights University (MI)
- Western Illinois University (IL)
Master's
- California State University, Long Beach (CA)
- University of South Dakota (SD)
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.
Baccalaureate
- Talladega College (AL)
- University of Toledo (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.
Baccalaureate
- Troy University (AL), based on Faculty and Assessment
Master’s
- Long Island University Post and Long Island University Brooklyn Collaborative (NY), based on Admissions; Faculty; Administrative Structure; and Resources
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
- Arkansas State University (AR)
- California State University, Los Angeles (CA)
- Ferris State University (MI)
- Lehman College, City University of New York (NY)
- Mars Hill University (NC)
- Middle Tennessee State University (TN)
- Misericordia University (PA)
- Morehead State University (KY)
- Providence College (RI)
- Salve Regina University (RI)
- Shepherd University (WV)
- Southeastern Louisiana University (LA)
- Southern University and A & M College (LA)
- Stephen F. Austin State University (TX)
- Tarleton State University (TX)
- University of Cincinnati (OH)
- University of Missouri (MO)
- University of Montevallo (AL)
- University of Saint Joseph (CT)
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
- University of Vermont (VT)
- University of Wyoming (WY)
Master’s
- Bridgewater State University (MA)
- California State University, Los Angeles (CA)
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
- California State University, San Bernardino (CA)
- Ferris State University (MI)
- Lehman College, City University of New York (NY)
- Stephen F. Austin State University (TX)
- University of Saint Joseph (CT)
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
- University of Vermont (VT)
- University of Wyoming (WY)
Accept Program-Requested Withdrawal
The program has requested to withdraw its accredited status and the COA has approved this request.
Baccalaureate
- Coker College (SC)
Master's
- Asbury University (KY)