Accreditation and Licensure

Accreditation

Online Social Work at CWRU is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process.  An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program.  Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

View Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards Handbook

Case Western Reserve University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Master of Social Work at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois 60604

The Council on Social Work Education
1701 Duke Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314

Association of Social Work Boards
400 Southridge Parkway, Suite B, Culpeper, VA 22701

Licensure

The Online Social Work at Case Western Reserve University meets the educational requirements for social work licensure in all states. Licensing may differ for each state, including the appropriate title as most states and provinces offer multiple categories of licensure, recognizing different scopes of practice. 

Requirements vary by state or province, but in general you’ll need to:

  • Complete a social work degree
  • Apply for your license
  • Pass the appropriate social work licensing exam

If you’re getting a clinical social work license or a license to practice independently, you’ll also need to complete supervised practice, commonly referred to as supervision.  For an explanation of the various licensing requirements by state, please visit the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) under Case Western Reserve University.For information about whether the program meets state by state requirements please refer to Case Western Reserve University’s General Disclosures for Programs leading to Professional Licensure or Certification page.