Practice Doctorate Accreditation Toolkit

2025 Practice Doctorate Accreditation Toolkit 

This toolkit encompasses the accreditation materials for the 2025 Accreditation Standards for Practice Doctorate Social Work Programs.

Resources for Practice Doctorate Programs:

• 2025 Accreditation Standards for Practice Doctorate Social Work Programs

  • Program Director Qualifications Legacy Waiver Request Form | AS D4.2.4(b)

• 2025 Practice Doctorate Standards Interpretation Guide

• Accreditation Policy Handbook

  • ​​​​​​Document Formatting & Submission Requirements (Policy 4.7)

• Memo to the Social Work Profession

• ADEI Resources, Guidance, and FAQs

  • Accessible to members and primary contacts through the membership portal

Accreditation Pathways:

Practice doctorate programs can seek accreditation via two distinct pathways:

1. Temporary Alternative Pathway: one-year initial accreditation process for existing practice doctorate programs that meet eligibility requirements

2. Traditional Pathway: three-year developmental model for programs that are not eligible for, or choose not to pursue, the Temporary Alternative Pathway

Temporary Alternative Pathway Applicants:

The Temporary Alternative Pathway was developed in recognition that practice doctorate programs have longstanding operational history and pilot participation was limited by design. Therefore, this pathway allows existing practice doctorate programs an expedited candidacy and initial accreditation option.

Process:

• Review Temporary Alternative Pathway Application to determine eligibility

• Review and select a Timetable to Candidacy for Temporary Alternative Pathway Programs:

  • Timetable to Candidacy Status: Fall 2025 Retroactive Accreditation

  • Timetable to Candidacy Status: Fall 2026 Retroactive Accreditation

  • Timetable to Candidacy Status: Fall 2027 Retroactive Accreditation

  • Timetable to Candidacy Status: Fall 2028 Retroactive Accreditation

• Review Temporary Alternative Pathway Fees and Related Expenses and pay the Candidacy Eligibility Fee

• Submit Temporary Alternative Pathway Application in accordance with selected Timetable to Candidacy for Temporary Alternative Pathway Programs

  • Temporary Alternative Pathway Application

  • Self-Study Volume 1 Template

  • Self-Study Volume 2 (Syllabi)

  • Self-Study  Volume 3 (Student Handbook)

  • Temporary Alternative Pathway Writing Checklist

• Program granted candidacy status upon staff approval of Temporary Alternative Pathway Application and is assigned to the next available BOA meeting agenda for an initial accreditation decision. 

• Timetables to Initial Accreditation for Temporary Pathway Programs:

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: October 2026 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: February 2027 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: June 2027 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: October 2027 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: February 2028 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: June 2028 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: October 2028 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: February 2029 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: June 2029 Agenda

  • Timetable to Initial Accreditation: October 2029 Agenda

• Candidacy Visit 3 in accordance with assigned Timetable to Initial Accreditation for Temporary Pathway Programs

  • Finalized Initial Accreditation Self-Study submitted for BOA review in accordance with assigned Timetable to Initial Accreditation for Temporary Pathway Programs

• Candidacy Visit Report produced by Visitor

• Program Response to the Candidacy Visit Report

• Initial Accreditation Decision by BOA in accordance with assigned Timetable to Initial Accreditation for Temporary Pathway Programs

Traditional Pathway Applicants

TheTraditional Pathway Application is a three-year developmental model for programs that are not eligible for, or choose not to pursue, the Temporary Alternative Pathway and includes a benchmarking process. 

See the New Program Applicant Process page and Candidacy Process page for detailed steps. Resources for programs seeking accreditation via traditional pathway:

• Candidacy Eligibility Application

• Candidacy Fees and Related Expenses and Instructions

• Benchmark Grid

• Required Benchmark Templates:

  • Benchmark 1 Volume 1 Template

    • Benchmark 1 Approval Standards Writing Checklist

  • Benchmark 2 Volume 1 Template

  • Benchmark 3/Initial Accreditation Self-Study Volume 1 Template

• Initial Accreditation Eligibility Application

For Accredited Programs:

• Reaffirmation Self-Study Volume 1 Template

• Reaffirmation Fees and Related Expenses

• Reaffirmation Eligibility Application

• Substantive Change Proposal Template

• Early Submission Notification Form

Required Forms: 

• Form AS D3.0.1 - Curriculum Matrix

• Form AS D4.1.1 - Faculty Summary Form

• Faculty Data Form

• Form AS D4.3.1 - Budget Form

• Form AS D4.3.3 - Library Report Form

• Form AS D5.0.1(a) - Student Achievement Assessment Plan

• Form AS D5.0.1(b) - Student Achievement of Assessment Outcomes

• Form AS D5.0.1(d) - Public Reporting of Assessment Outcomes

• Form AS D5.0.3 - Program Outcomes Assessment

Program Response & Report Templates:

• Program Response to the Site Visit Report Template (Reaffirmation Only)

• Program Response to the Candidacy Visit Report Template (Candidacy Only)

• Program Response to the Modified Site Visit Report Template

• Deferral Response Template

• Progress Report Template

• Restoration Report Template

Training and Consultations for Practice Doctorate Programs:

Join the Director of Accreditation Services for drop-in group consultations on the accreditation process. While these consultations are optional, we encourage all programs seeking initial accreditation to attend. Registration information can be found below. Please stay tuned for additional drop-in session dates.

All program faculty members and administrators are welcome to attend; a team-approach is encouraged. Topics discussed cover understanding eligibility, timetable considerations, retroactive accreditation in relation to student admittance, writing a self-study, understanding accreditation standard interpretations, navigating the accreditation process and policies, and preparing for a BOA candidacy visit as well as final decision.

Date	Time (Eastern)	Registration Link
6/16/2026	1:00-2:15pm	https://cswe.zoom.us/meeting/register/yRsrhM42TuWnBuVbUJBJaw
7/21/2026	1:00-2:15pm	https://cswe.zoom.us/j/88259543920
8/18/2026	1:00-2:15pm	https://cswe.zoom.us/j/81311743696
9/22/2026	1:00-2:15pm	https://cswe.zoom.us/j/81267407269

One-on-one consultations are available as necessary. Email the Director of Accreditation Services to inquire and coordinate a time.

Visit our Program Training Opportunities page for current training opportunities and past accreditation presentations.