CSWE Accreditation & Standards at Alliant International University

In 2022, Alliant International University launched the online master of social work (MSW) program for the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP). This program was designed to continue our commitment to preparing the next generation of mental health professionals and advocates through our model of scholarship paired with practice. 

Alliant's online Masters of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). We are proud to provide high-quality, CSWE-accredited online education that empowers future social workers to meet the evolving needs of individuals, families, and communities.

What is the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)?

CSWE is an organization that grants accreditation to MSW programs through a rigorous, peer-review process to ensure they meet the vision of CSWE: “To ensure a well-educated social work profession equipped to promote health, well-being, and justice for all people in a diverse society”. CSWE is the sole accrediting body for social work degree programs.¹

The Benefits of a CSWE-Accredited Program

As part of our accreditation eligibility, the MSW program at Alliant adheres to the high standards set by the CSWE. Attending a CSWE-accredited social work program assures that it is committed to quality and to educating students on social work competencies necessary to enter practice. CSWE-accredited programs are held to higher standards for educating students to be respectful and responsible social workers for diverse cultures and communities. They prepare graduates to critically think, problem-solve, and advocate for justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity. Attending a CSWE-accredited program may also help graduates qualify for employment or licensure that requires completion of a CSWE-accredited degree. 

The CSWE Accreditation Process

The CSWE accreditation process typically takes a total of three years to complete. At the Candidacy status, this involves setting and meeting key benchmarks and standards set forth by the CSWE. This multi-step process involves program self-studies, site visits, and submitting documentation about every program’s aspect to prove we have fulfilled each policy and accreditation requirement. Documentation may include statements of compliance, course syllabi, faculty CVs, field education manuals, student handbooks, or documentation around student diversity, retention, and graduation, and extracurricular resources. 

During the Candidacy process, a CSWE Commissioner reviews and determines whether the program is eligible to progress to the next stage of assessments and evaluates four key components²: 

1. Program Mission and Goals: Programs must submit their mission statement and explain how it is consistent with the mission, purpose, and value of the social work profession. MSW programs should reflect the core values of social justice and social service, the inherent value and dignity of human beings, the importance of relationships, human rights, integrity, and scientific inquiry.
2. Explicit Curriculum: A program’s formal structure and content such as courses and assignments, the types of specializations the program offers, field education, and course delivery methods. Special attention is paid to how the curriculum prepares master’s in social work students for advanced generalist and/or specialized practice.
3. Implicit Curriculum: All of the non-curricular elements of a social work program that uphold the mission of the social work profession and foster an ideal environment to prepare graduate students as social work practitioners. This includes faculty support, a commitment to diversity and social equality, providing extracurricular resources, and creating a culture of learning.
4. Assessment Methods: Social work education is competency-based and focused on preparing students to fulfill nine key Core Competencies that are central to the practice of effective social work. MSW programs must also show how they enable students to develop a holistic understanding of the profession and the ability to exercise sound judgment across a diverse set of social work contexts. The CSWE expects programs to implement student assessments that are multifaceted and integrated, simulating their future profession as closely as possible. 

After the three-year review process, if the CSWE finds that an MSW program complies with all accreditation standards and educational policy, it grants Initial Accreditation status to that program which lasts for eight years while it moves towards achieving full accreditation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the master of social work (MSW) program at Alliant CSWE accredited?
A: Yes. 

Q: Where is Alliant in the accreditation process? 
A: Alliant is currently at Candidacy status and moving toward full accreditation which we anticipate achieving by 2025. 

Q: What is the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)?
A: CSWE is the sole accrediting body for social work degree programs. This organization grants accreditation to MSW programs through a rigorous peer-review process to ensure they meet the high standards and the vision of CSWE.  

Q: What are the benefits of attending a CSWE-accredited program?
A: Attending a CSWE-accredited social work program assures that the program is committed to quality and to educating students on social work competencies necessary to enter practice. CSWE-accredited programs are held to higher standards than non-accredited programs and may help graduates qualify for employment or licensure that requires completion of a CSWE-accredited degree.  

Q: How long does it take to achieve accreditation?
A: Accreditation is typically a three-year process. A CSWE Commissioner reviews the documentation to see whether the program is eligible to progress to the next stage of assessments.

Q: How will the CSWE evaluate The Alliant MSW program?
A: The CSWE evaluated Alliant on four key components that comprise the integrated curriculum of an MSW program: the program mission statement and goals, its explicit curriculum, its implicit curriculum, and its assessment methods. The CSWE also evaluated if the program prepares students to fulfill nine key Core Competencies that are central to the practice of effective social work.

Sources

1. Council on Social Work Education. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://www.cswe.org/accreditation