Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards

Accreditation is a system for recognizing educational institutions and the professional programs affiliated with those institutions as having a level of performance, integrity, and quality that entitles them to the confidence of the educational community and the public they serve. The Commission on Accreditation (COA) of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in social work education in the United States and its territories. The COA is responsible for formulating, promulgating, and implementing the accreditation standards for baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in social work, for мensuring that the standards define competent preparation, and for confirming that accredited social work programs meet the standards. To this end, the COA administers a multistep peer review accreditation process that involves program self-studies and benchmarks, site visits, and COA reviews.