What Is CSWE Accreditation and What Are Its Benefits?

When choosing an online Master of Social Work (MSW) program, make sure to look for CSWE accreditation—a key indicator of quality and credibility in social work education.

What Is CSWE Accreditation?
CSWE accreditation is a designation from the Council on Social Work Education, the national organization responsible for accrediting bachelor’s and master’s social work programs. CSWE’s Board of Accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the only accrediting agency for social work education in the United States.

Understanding why CSWE accreditation matters can help you choose the best MSW online program for your social work career. Here are five key things CSWE accreditation tells you about a social work master’s program:

1 . It meets the highest standards for social work education.
Social work programs undergo a rigorous review to earn CSWE accreditation. This process ensures that all aspects of an MSW program meet or exceed CSWE standards. As an MSW student in a CSWE-accredited program, you’ll know you’re learning the social work competencies needed today.

“Attending a CSWE-accredited social work program provides assurance that the program in which a student enrolls is committed to quality and educating students on social work competencies necessary to enter practice,” the CSWE explains on its website.¹

2. Its excellence is enduring.
CSWE accreditation means MSW programs meet continuous performance, integrity, and quality benchmarks.

“Beyond review for reaffirmation of accreditation every eight years, CSWE-accredited programs engage in continuous quality improvement ensuring that students are prepared to practice safely, competently, and ethically with all clients, constituents, and the public,” the CSWE says.¹

3. It meets national standards that include required learning related to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
CSWE accreditation tells you that a program can help prepare master’s candidates to work for social justice in all cultures and communities.

“CSWE-accredited programs are held to higher standards of responsibility for educating students to be respectful and responsible social workers for diverse cultures and communities,”2 the CSWE says.

4. It academically prepares you for licensure.
To sit for licensing exams in most states, you must have a social work degree from a CSWE-accredited MSW program.

“Licensing exists to provide state and provincial governments with a way to verify that a social worker has the skills and knowledge necessary to provide a safe level of practice,” the CSWE explains. “All states and the District of Columbia have licensing, certification, or registration requirements for social work practice.”³

5. It upholds the highest ethical principles.
“CWSE accreditation speaks to public trust and accountability across the social work continuum,” the organization says.¹

Employers, clients, and others recognize CSWE accreditation as a sign of integrity, one of the social work profession’s core values.

“CSWE’s vision is ‘To ensure a well-educated social work profession equipped to promote health, well-being, and justice for all people in a diverse society.’ Accreditation is a systematic and rigorous process of operationalizing this vision and ensuring consumer protection and the public good through quality social work education programs.”²

Join a CSWE-Accredited Program
There are just 349 CSWE-accredited MSW programs in the U.S.,² and Chamberlain University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program is among that select few. Chamberlain’s accredited MSW program equips you with knowledge and skills you can apply to a social work career, whether in generalist practice or a specialized field.

MSW tracks let you tailor your learning to meet your career goals. Choose crisis and response interventions, trauma, or medical social work. You can also design your own focus. Chamberlain’s MSW program includes a practicum, where you’ll use what you’ve learned in a real-life social work setting. You can learn more in our MSW eBook and by calling 877.751.5783 to speak to an Enrollment Representative.

If you’ve been considering a master’s degree program but worry about time constraints, an online CSWE-accredited MSW program may be the solution. With 24/7 access to coursework, Chamberlain’s online MSW program offers the flexibility to earn your degree while balancing your personal and professional commitments.

Social work is a fast-growing field, with employment projected to grow by 6% between 2024 and 2034.⁴ If you’re passionate about making a difference in the lives of others, now may be the perfect time to earn an MSW degree.

Chamberlain University, an HLC-accredited institution, offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs in nursing and healthcare professions. With a growing network of campuses and robust online programs, Chamberlain continues to build on more than 135 years of excellence in preparing extraordinary healthcare professionals.

¹Source: www.cswe.org/accreditation/about/value-benefits/   
²Source: www.cswe.org/accreditation/ (numbers as of 4/1/25)
³Source: www.cswe.org/students/prepare-for-your-education/social-work-at-a-glance/
⁴Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-1

Chamberlain University’s Master of Social Work degree program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.
 

By Chamberlain University