The University of Nevada School of Social Work is proud to announce that the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has voted to reaffirm the accreditation of the bachelors and masters programs at UNR for eight years. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is a nonprofit national association representing more than 2,500 members as well as graduate and undergraduate programs. The CSWE is recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation as the only accrediting agency for social work education in the U.S. The CSWE accreditation standards are both extensive and rigorous.

To receive reaccreditation, UNR had to meet the extensive requirements of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPA’s) laid out by CSWE) for baccalaureate and master's level social work programs. EPAS supports academic excellence by establishing thresholds for professional competence.

The UNR School of Social Work faculty, under the leadership of Founding Dean Dr Shadi Martin had to demonstrate our curriculum meets core social work competencies. Upon graduation, our students will know how to apply ethical principles and critical thinking to social work practice. They will be able to utilize social work research and respond to changing practice contexts. They will be able to effectively engage with members of diverse populations and carry out appropriate assessments and interventions.

Accredited social work programs must include field experience that appropriately connects theory and practice. Students can be ensured of getting at least 400 hours of field experience in a baccalaureate program and at least 900 in a master's program. UNR students serve their practicums in hundreds of agencies and organizations through out the state of Nevada and the country.

CSWE Accreditation means graduates of the UNR School of Social Work will know how to apply ethical principles and critical thinking to social work practice. It’s not just curriculum; the CSWE also takes a long, hard look at how well the program is meeting its objectives and considers the policies and the resources it has at its disposal. It’s more than just a matter of paperwork. The accreditation committee goes onsite to see what social work education looks like in practice.

Accreditation for UNR students means they can be confident in the quality of their coursework and assessments and that the criteria for graduation meet the highest standards. CSWE accreditation is as rigorous for its online programs as it is for campus-based programs, meaning students can choose either approach with the confidence they will receive a top-quality social work education.

The accreditation of the UNR School of Social Work reflects the hard work of many people, including our faculty, staff, community advisory board members, community partners, agencies and organizations and our alumni. We take great pride in receiving our accreditation and look forward to many more accomplishments. A note of gratitude to Dr. Shadi Martin for her leadership during this time.