Overview of Practice Doctorate Program (PDP) Accreditation Standards
Since the PDP accreditation pilot launch in October 2021 the Board of Accreditation (BOA) and CSWE staff have worked to review each benchmark stage and continue to evaluate pilot findings. As part of this process, the BOA is revising the Accreditation Standards for Practice Doctoral Programs in Social Work, which were approved and adopted for pilot use in June 2020. An accreditation standards writing committee, consisting of BOA and Commission on Educational Policy (COEP) representatives, was established to develop multiple drafts of accreditation standards for constituent and public feedback.
PDP Standards Development Process
Below is a history of activities, documents, and presentations that have contributed to the development of the PDP standards and process since the pilot launch in October 2021. For more information visit the PDP Timeline of Activities, which documents the process from 2010-2025.
Pilot
- November 2022: Benchmark 1 focus group with BOA visitors
- February-March 2023: Benchmark 1 survey to pilot programs
- December 2023: Benchmark 2 focus group with BOA visitors
- March-April 2024: Benchmark 2 survey to pilot program
Draft 1
- March 18, 2024: Draft 1 PDP Accreditation Standards released
- March 18, 2024 - April 30, 2024: Feedback Survey Available
- April 10, 2024, 1:30-3pm, GADE Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ: Feedback Session
- April 15, 2024 1:00-2:45, Virtual via Zoom: Public Feedback Session
- May 2024: Draft 1 Feedback Results
Draft 2
- August 13, 2024: Practice doctorate expert panel convened
- October 18, 2024: Draft 2 PDP Accreditation Standards
- October 18, 2024 - November 30, 2024: Feedback Survey Available
- October 25, 2024, CSWE Annual Program Meeting, Kansas City, MO: Feedback Session
- November 8, 2024 1:00-2:30, Virtual via Zoom Public Feedback Session
- December 2024: Draft 2 Feedback Results
Revision and Implementation Timeline
It is anticipated that additional practice doctoral programs will be able to seek accreditation in 2025, once the pilot concludes and accreditation standards have been adopted by the BOA. Additional information regarding the process to apply for accreditation can be expected in late 2024.
*The timeline below is subject to change.* 
PDP Standards Revision Committee Members
BOA representatives: Randy Magen, Chair, (Yeshiva University); César Abarca (New Mexico Highlands University); Antoinette Farmer (Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey), Tom Gregoire, BOA Chair, (The Ohio State University); Emmerentie Oliphant (Stephen F Austin University); Larry Ortiz (Loma Linda University); Katherine Perone (Western Illinois University); James Herbert Williams (Arizona State University)
COEP representatives: Mike Daley, (Texas A&M University-Central Texas), Shirley Gatenio-Gabel, (Fordham University); Karen Rice (Millersville University)
CSWE staff: Shanéa Thomas, Executive Director of Accreditation; Kat Gibson-Ledl, Director of Accreditation Services; Marilyn Gentner, Director of Accreditation Operations; Megan Fujita, Vice President of Education