“Reinventing Social Work Accreditation”: Write On!

Abstract

Stoesz and Karger contend that the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has promulgated accreditation mechanisms and processes that have failed to assure sufficient quality in social work education. Although certain of their conclusions are subject to challenge, their central propositions are credible and warrant serious consideration on the part of social work educators. Many of the systemic problems associated with CSWE accreditation also appear to characterize other organizations that are committed to social work education such as the National Association of Deans and Directors of Social Work Schools and the St. Louis Group for Excellence in Social Work Research and Education. Consonant with the urgings of Stoesz and Karger, it appears timely for social work educators to explore accreditation mechanisms and venues other than those provided by CSWE.