8 more years: ‘Rigor’ and ‘quality’ help JSU’s School of Social Work get re-accredited

(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Commission on Accreditation (COA) for the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) recently voted to reaffirm accreditation for JSU’s bachelor’s and master’s degree programs for eight additional years.

“Reaffirmation of our programmatic accreditation affirms that our curriculum meets core social work competencies, making our programs highly attractive to both pre-professionals and practitioners,” said Roosevelt Shelton, interim dean for the College of Public Service. “It also establishes that our programs are meeting objectives, taking into account policies and maximizing the resources at its disposal.” 

The CSWE is the primary program accrediting board for the area of social work. It administered a multistep accreditation process that involved a self-study, site visit and COA review. The self-study is a multiple-year process that includes a detailed report and site visit that examines the program’s compliance with social work educational standards, including assessments of student outcomes.

“The reaffirmation of accreditation by CSWE is a testament to the rigor and quality of our programs in social work at JSU,” Shelton said. “We are proud of our long tradition of ensuring both rigor and quality, which are distinguishable attributes of our programs.”

Jackson State University’s undergraduate social work program was initially accredited in 1975 and is one of 523 fully accredited baccalaureate baccalaureate social work programs in the nation. Additionally, the graduate social work program was initially accredited in 1997 and is one of 269 fully accredited masters of social work programs.

“JSU’s undergraduate social work program was one of the first programs of its kind to be accredited by the CSWE,” Shelton said. “In 1997, our master’s program was accredited. and our doctoral program was founded. Today, it is still the only Ph.D. program for social work in the state of Mississippi.”

Social work remains one of the most enrolled majors at Jackson State University. According to JSU statistics, undergraduate and graduate program alumni are employed throughout the U.S. as direct service providers; social service administrators; community organizers; college professors; and in private practice.

“This reaffirmation of accreditation further affirms that our graduates have been well prepared and are competent in applying ethical principles and critical-thinking to social work practice,” Shelton said. “They utilize social work research and respond to changing practice contexts, effectively engage with members of diverse populations and carry out appropriate assessments and interventions.”

To learn more about the social work programs at JSU, visit www.jsums.edu/socialwork.