School of Social Work Maintains Accreditation Through 2033
News
Southern’s faith-based approach to preparing students to serve in the social work field is now accredited through 2033. The peer-review reaccreditation process was conducted by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the governing body that safeguards the training and preparation of social workers to create and sustain healthy communities.
“Our program is held to the same standards of competency as others, but we teach through a faith-based lens,” says Laura Racovita, PhD, dean of the School of Social Work. “Graduates leave this campus with the ability to incorporate spirituality in their work, when needed or requested, while transforming lives through a broad range of services.”
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at Southern has maintained accreditation for the past 25 years, and the newer Master of Social Work (MSW) program was first accredited in 2010.
“Accreditation tells the public that our students can demonstrate that they are competent in their social work skills when encountering the human condition,” Racovita explains. “And while the profession in general is perceived to approach social work from a secular angle, Southern consistently teaches students to model Christ in their actions. He fed people first and then invited them to follow Him; likewise, we address what is hurting before exploring broader solutions. These are the relationships that ultimately bring about transformation in lives and societies.”
Rather than being structured into specific tracks, the social work programs at Southern prepare generalist (BSW) and advanced generalist (MSW) social workers who are equipped to work in all areas of need—mental health counseling and therapy, case work, advocacy, and administration.
“Our students’ licensing exam pass rates rank above national averages, and most have their pick of jobs because they aren’t ‘boxed’ into a particular specialization,” Racovita notes. “In fact, some MSW grads have been called to leadership roles in their workplace immediately after graduation.”
Racovita says the preparation for reaccreditation requires “all hands on deck” for her team, who provide curriculum details, inclusion activities, and teaching methods, among other requirements. Additionally, professors must demonstrate a range of qualifications, from how student needs are being met to budget management. An extensive self-study precedes a comprehensive site visit and subsequent report by CSWE.
“We are grateful for the diligent work of our social work faculty, whose sustained commitment to academic rigor, professional standards, and mission-focused education has guided the programs throughout this review,” says Bob Young, PhD, senior vice president of Academic Administration at Southern. “We also appreciate the site visit team’s evaluation, which provides an opportunity to reflect on the quality, outcomes, and continuous improvement of our programs.”
Learn more about the School of Social Work at Southern Adventist University by visiting southern.edu/socialwork.
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