Social work degree programs receive accreditation

The Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degrees were recently granted accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The accreditation lasts for the next eight years.

Accreditation is a lengthy and detailed process that requires significant effort and preparation, including self-studies, site visits and reviews from the program team. For the BSW and MSW programs, accreditation was initially started in 2020 and underwent the standard 3-benchmark process, which takes three years. As a result, students who entered the programs fall of 2020 onward receive full benefits of graduating from a CSWE-accredited social work program.

“Accreditation is an unbelievable amount of work,” said Catherine Simmons, Social Work Chair and Master of Social Work Director. “The entire social work team deserves gratitude and appreciation for the countless hours developing the program and writing the documentation. Thank you also to UCCS leadership for helping us launch and walking along side of us through our accreditation journey. Finally, it is important to acknowledge the amazing work our talented social work students are doing important work in the community.”

“Moving beyond the final stage is an important milestone in the development of the UCCS social work programs,” Simmons added.

CSWE is the only accreditation institutions for social work programs in the U.S. and serves as a quality assurance method for those programs, along with setting up graduates for advanced standing. Additionally, a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree is necessary for accredited graduate social work programs, and some employers and licensing boards require a CSWE-accredited social work degree.

“The award of accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education is a milestone in the development of our degree programs,” said George Reed, Dean of the College of Public Service. “It is a mark of excellence that assures current and future students of a high level of quality. The social work team put their hearts and souls into this accomplishment. We are proud to be the sole provider of social work degrees in the University of Colorado System.”

According to the CSWE website, “Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.”

About the Council on Social Work Education

Founded in 1952, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the national association representing social work education in the United States. Its members include over 750 accredited baccalaureate and master’s degree social work programs, as well as individual social work educators, practitioners, and agencies dedicated to advancing quality social work education. Through its many initiatives, activities, and centers, CSWE supports quality social work education and provides opportunities for leadership and professional development, so that social workers play a central role in achieving the profession’s goals of social and economic justice.

Learn more about the CSWE accreditation process online.

About the UCCS College of Public Service

The UCCS College of Public Service is one of the premier schools of public administration in the Rocky Mountain West. Its relevant and flexible programs prepare students for leadership in the public and nonprofit sectors, including criminal justice and social work. The College of Public Service offers both traditional and accelerated undergraduate and graduate programs, with options to earn dual degrees and graduate certificates. Learn more about the College of Public Service at UCCS.