CSC Social Work program earns accreditation

In social work education, the Commission on Accreditation (COA) of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the sole agency recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit baccalaureate and master's degree programs in the U.S. and its territories.

Members of the CSC social work faculty are celebrating the announcement.

"We are extremely pleased with earning the reaffirmation," said Richard Kenney, CSC Social Work program director. "Receiving national recognition for our quality, high-impact program in social work education is a significant achievement. With this accredited degree, our students are considered much more marketable in terms of employment and graduate school admission. The degree is also required for social work licensure."

The commissioner who visited CSC in April 2014 reported a number of strengths including the field education program, curriculum design, annual social work conference, student involvement and faculty and administration dedication, according to Kenney.

“Chadron State College, by mission, serves the educational needs of the region,” said Dr. Margaret Crouse, dean of the school of Education, Human Performance, Counseling, Psychology and Social Work and dean for professional licensure and accreditation. “The Social Work program is an example of a quality program preparing professional social workers to serve the rural environment of the high plains region. This accreditation validates the quality of the program.”

Bruce Hoem, the CSC Social Work Program Field Director said the social work program reflects what is expected by the college, a high caliber of graduates with a professional degree second to none.

The Chadron State College Social Work Program has held CSWE accreditation since 1992. Approximately 50 students are enrolled in the program with 12 students expected to graduate in May 2015. For more information about the CSC Social Work Program, see www.csc.edu/cpsw/sw/.