Master of Social Work Program Receives Initial Accreditation Through 2029

Master of Social Work Program Receives Initial Accreditation Through 2029

Stock photo of social worker and client

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) found the School of Education and Human Development’s MSW program in full compliance with all accreditation standards and educational policies. 

[Accreditation] ensures program excellence and is evidence that our MSW program meets the highest level of practice in the field and allows us to be competitive with other programs in the state.

— Rona Preli, PhD, MSW, program director of the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy and department chair of the MSW program

Last week, the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) completed a three-and-a-half-year accreditation process for the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. The program was awarded initial accreditation through 2029 by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Having been found in full compliance of CSWE standards and policies—and receiving an eight-year accreditation—serves as recognition by the professional accrediting body that the program maintains a level of performance, integrity, and quality. It is a vote of confidence in the caliber of the program for both graduates and the public they serve, explained Rona Preli, PhD, MSW, chair of the Department of Family Therapy and Social Work. 

“Accreditation provides professional judgement on the quality of the social work program,” said Dr. Preli. “It ensures program excellence and is evidence that our MSW program meets the highest level of practice in the field and allows us to be competitive with other programs in the state. Our program has seen immense growth since launching. We’ve brought on six full-time faculty members and we are now in the process of interviewing students for our fourth cohort.”

CSWE's Commission on Accreditation (COA) develops accreditation standards that define competent preparation to ensure that social work programs meet these standards. During the accreditation process the CSWE Office of Social Work Accreditation administers a multistep review process including program self-studies, site visits, and COA reviews. The mission of the CSWE is to advance excellence and innovation in social work education and research by providing leadership, ensuring quality in teaching and learning, and strengthening the capacity of member institutions.

Fairfield’s MSW program launched in 2019 as a result of the growing need for social work professionals and is a clinical specialist program. Clinical social workers have specialized skills in the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of emotional, mental, and behavioral health problems. Fairfield’s MSW program offers two tracks of study: a two-year, full-time program, and an advanced standing three-semester full-time program for graduates who have completed a CSWE accredited bachelor of social work (BSW) program.

To learn more about the program visit fairfield.edu/msw.

Tags:  SEHD,  Top Stories

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