School of Social Work receives full reaccreditation

The University at Buffalo School of Social Work’s master’s of social work (MSW) program has been granted full eight-year reaccreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), placing the school among the 800 accredited social work programs in the U.S. UB’s School of Social Work is among only 22 schools, or 3%, that have been continuously accredited for 85 years or longer.

CSWE's accreditation review occurs every eight years and examines each educational institution for a level of quality, academic improvement and public accountability that entitles them to the confidence of social work students, the educational community and the public they serve. For social work students, graduation from an accredited institution is required to qualify for professional social work licensure in every state.

CSWE pursues this mission in higher education by setting and maintaining national accreditation standards for baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in social work, by promoting faculty development, by engaging in interprofessional and international collaborations, and by advocating for social work education and research.

CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States and its territories.

“Accreditation is not only an indication of the quality of our education, but more importantly, of the commitment of our faculty to keeping the field of social work on the leading edge, our students’ competencies current, and our practice evidence-based. For 85 years, UB’s School of Social Work has maintained this standard of excellence and we will continue it for the next 85,” said Nancy J. Smyth, the school’s dean.

The accreditation is effective through October 2027.