Please read below for a recent update from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation (COA) on updated guidance for social work programs to help them remain in compliance with accreditation standards during the current COVID-19 pandemic. These changes effect all current social work students enrolled in school from now through the spring 2021 semester. Check with your individual school to find out what allowances have been made in your social work program.
The recommendations will be in effect through May 31, 2021.
COA also released updated recommendations on field education that are designed to help programs remain in compliance with accreditation standards during the pandemic. These recommendations will be in effect through May 31, 2021, though it is within the purview of each social work education program to determine whether the options will be implemented according to that program’s mission and goals.
The recommendations define how hours earned at a student’s place of employment may be counted toward required field hours. The recommendations also establish acceptable platforms for remote learning and how simulations count as field hours outside of field seminar. Read all the details on CSWE’s Accreditation Web page.
Click through the updated recommendations above for answers to commonly asked questions: Can employment count toward field practice hours? What platforms for remote learning are acceptable? Can simulations count as field hours outside of field seminar?