Social work school lauded during reaccreditation

The School of Social Work has been reaccredited for another eight-year period by a national council that found much to praise and virtually nothing to criticize.

The report, compiled by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council of Social Work Education, was received by Univerrsity and School administrators earlier this month.

It follows an accreditation team site visit last October, during which interviews were conducted with University officials, faculty, alumni, students, employers, and area agencies.

Prior to the site team visit, faculty and staff at the School had conducted an exhaustive two-year self-study.

“We’re extremely happy to be reaffirmed,” said Catherine Havens, associate dean of the School.

“This opens an eight-year window when we will be able to focus on our own goals and objectives.”

The reaccreditation – for a full eight-year cycle – made no recommendations regarding areas that should be strengthened, but did cite a number of areas of excellence, including:

• diversity;
• programming, especially studies regarding populations at risk and social economic justice;
• field education;