Union College News

Union’s Social Work Program Moves Toward Accreditation

Union College learned this week that its new social work major is well on its way to achieving accreditation.

Professor Jim Cox, director of Union’s social work program, received confirmation on July 14 that Union has been approved for the required site visit and review by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The approval came after Union submitted a 500-page document outlining its plans for the new major. The draft document had to pass an initial review before a site visit could be scheduled.

This is welcome news for the social work program and its current students, as it sets in motion a process that has the potential to see Union achieve accreditation as much as a year earlier than expected. CSWE’s approval for a site visit also allows Union to accept new or transfer students into the program and sets a clear timetable for achieving candidacy.

The process of applying for and receiving accreditation takes years, according to Cox. Based on the schedule outlined for Union by CSWE, the new social work program can achieve full accreditation by 2012. Once accreditation is granted, it is retroactive to the beginning of classes in fall 2008.

Students who enroll in the program now will be on track to graduate from an accredited program. New or transfer students interested in the social work program can call Professor Cox at 606-546-1290.

The social work major was added to Union’s academic offerings in the fall of 2007. Other recent additions include a major in leadership studies, a major and minor in marketing, a master’s program in psychology, and a drug and chemical dependency certificate program.

For more information about Union College, visit www.unionky.edu.

July 21, 2008

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