Published on : March 31, 2025
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and its Board of Accreditation (BOA) celebrates the release of the inaugural Accreditation Standards for Practice Doctorate Social Work Program Accreditation.
CSWE’s BOA and its Commission on Educational Policy (COEP) formed a joint writing committee, reviewed feedback, and developed the final standards. The accreditation standards were approved unanimously by the BOA on February 6, 2025.
Phase 1 Accreditation Toolkit | Released September 2024
The first phase of an accreditation toolkit for practice doctorate programs included:
- Candidacy Eligibility Application
- Reaffirmation & Initial Accreditation Eligibility Application
- Temporary Alternative Pathway Application
- Current Practice Doctorate Candidacy Fees and Related Expenses
Practice doctorate programs may seek accreditation via two distinct pathways:
- Traditional Pathway: for new and developing practice doctorate programs
- Temporary Alternative Pathway: 1-year initial accreditation process for existing practice doctorate programs
Summaries of the two pathways are located here.
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, while the traditional candidacy benchmarking process is developmental and designed to build a new educational program.
We hope these two pathways help program needs and the profession while maintaining quality assurance required of accreditation.
Phase 2 Accreditation Toolkit | Released March 2025
The second phase of an accreditation toolkit for practice doctorate programs is now available and includes:
- Accreditation Standards
- Candidacy Benchmark Grid
- ADEI Resources Webpage
- Memo to the Social Work Profession
Additional accreditation services and resources such as trainings, policy handbooks, interpretation guides, templates, and forms will be shared with programs and posted on the CSWE website later in 2025.
CSWE recognizes and appreciates the work of the joint writing committee in leading the revision process. In addition, CSWE extends gratitude to the BOA, the COEP, pilot programs, social work education programs, partner organizations, volunteers, members of the public, and other stakeholders who provided constructive feedback during this important process.
Connect with CSWE as we continue the essential work of educating the next generation of social workers guided by the inaugural Accreditation Standards for Practice Doctorate Social Work Program Accreditation that align with our mission, goals, and values.