Reaffirmation Process

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Preparation 

Accredited baccalaureate, master's, and practice doctorate programs work directly with their assigned accreditation specialist. Visit the Accreditation Scope and Services to learn more about the Department of Social Work Accreditation offerings.

Policies

Review policy 6. Reaffirmation  in the Accreditation Policy Handbook to learn about the reaffirmation process.

Training
Visit our training web page for program training opportunities.

Policy 4.7 Document Formatting & Submission Requirements in the Accreditation Policy Handbook: Required guidelines for formatting documents for submission to CSWE.

Fees

Reaffirmation Fees and Related Expenses: List and explanation of fees related to the reaffirmation process for baccalaureate, master's, and practice doctorate programs. Payment instructions can be found here. 

Eligibility Materials

Reaffirmation Eligibility Application

This is the application for reaffirmation of accredited status for baccalaureate, master's, and practice doctorate programs. The program must demonstrate that its host institution can and will support and sustain a baccalaureate, master's, or practice doctorate social work program.

Reaffirmation Timetables

The following timetables guide baccalaureate, master's, and practice doctorate programs through the reaffirmation process. They include information such as deadlines and required documentation. To determine a program’s Board of Accreditation (BOA) agenda date, please contact the program’s Accreditation Specialist, or visit the Directory of Accredited Programs.

Dated Timetables:

Blank Timetables by Agenda:

Self-Study Materials

For baccalaureate and master's programs:

For practice doctorate programs:

Program Response & Report Templates

Site Visits

Site visits are an integral step of the reaffirmation process. During the site visit, programs host a site visitor and clarify outstanding questions from the CSWE Board of Accreditation (BOA). Site visitors operate under the authority of the CSWE-BOA and visit accredited social work programs to gather information related to the accreditation standards based on questions provided by the BOA.

Review policies 6.6 - 6.8 in the Accreditation Policy Handbook to learn more about reaffirmation site visits.

Site Visit Planning Form

Important Dates for Programs per Policy 6.6 in the Accreditation Policy Handbook

  • At least 60 days before the visit - The program must make contact with the site visitor and inquire about any accomodations needed
  • At least 30 days before the visit - The program has sent the self-study to the site visitor via email
  • At least 30 days before the visit - The program ensures travel is finalized for the visit (if applicable) 
  • At least 30 days before the visit - The program and visitor agree upon a contingency plan for the visit, in case of emergency
  • At least 1 week before the visit - The program and visitor agree upon a site visit schedule 

General Questions:
For baccalaureate and master's programs:

  • 2022 EPAS General Questions Bank - The site visitor will ask at least one general question to program stakeholders for each accreditation standard from this bank of questions.

Letter of Instruction Samples: 
For baccalaureate and master's programs:

Site Visit Schedule Samples:
For baccalaureate and master's programs:

Requesting an Extension or Timetable Change

An acccredited baccalaureate, master's, or practice doctorate program may request to delay its reaffirmation review. To request an extension, please submit this form to the program's accreditation specialist. For more information on agenda adjustments and postponements of reaffirmation review, please review policy 4.6 in the Accreditation Policy Handbook.

Requesting Early Document Submission

An accredited baccalaureate, master's, or practice doctorate program may request to submit a progress report or restoration report early. To request early submission, please submit this form to the program's accreditation specialist. 

Program Changes

For more information on baccalaureate, master's, or practice doctorate program changes that take place between scheduled accreditation reviews, please review policy 4.9 in the Accreditation Policy Handbook.

Substantive Changes:
In order to add a program option (delivery method or location) where 51% or more of the social work curriculum will be offered, use the Substantive Change Proposal Template. For questions about the substantive change process, please attend one of the monthly drop-in group consultations.

Program Option Closure:
Use the Program Option Closure Form to notify CSWE of a program option closure (delivery method or location). 

Other Program Changes: 
Accreditation Program Record Update Form must be submitted to notify CSWE of any of the following changes:

  • Key Personnel: Primary Contact, Program Director, Field Director, President/Chancellor, Optional Additional Program Designees
  • Program Mailing Address
  • Additional fields displayed on the Directory of Accredited Programs:
    • Social Work Program Website URL Update
    • Public Program Email Update
    • Public Program Phone Number Update
    • Assessment Data URL Update
    • Update to EPAS the Program Operates Under
    • Plan of Study Update
    • Area of Specialized Practice Update
    • Certificates Offered Update
    • Dual-Degree Offered Update
    • Degree-Completion Offered Update
    • Logo Update
    • Program Name Update
    • Program Degree Title Update

Program Closure & Withdrawal of Accredited Status

Use the Program Closure & Withdrawal of Accredited Status Form to formally close a baccalaureate, master's, or practice doctorate social work program. 

For more information, please review policy 4.12 in the Accreditation Policy Handbook.
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For further information and specific inquiries please contact your program's accreditation specialist.