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Office of University Communications 

Missouri State maintains accreditation with Council on Social Work Education

Date: June 26, 2008
Contact: Dr. Etta Madden
(417) 836-4367

SPRINGFIELD – The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) recently accepted Missouri State University School of Social Work’s progress report. The school submitted the progress report in March, addressing concerns raised by the council last fall. The CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation (COA) accepted the report at its June meeting. The acceptance indicates that the program will continue its accreditation.

The COA is responsible for developing accreditation standards that define competent preparation and ensuring that social work programs meet them. In accordance with the requirements of the Council’s recognition body, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, the CSWE Office of Social Work Accreditation and Educational Excellence (OSWAEE) administers a multi step accreditation process that involves program self-studies, site visits, and COA reviews.

The School of Social Work is scheduled for its full self-study and reaffirmation visit in June 2010. The school has requested a one-year postponement in the process and is waiting for a response to that request. Dr. Etta Madden serves as the school’s director until June 30, when Dr. Susan Dollar will take over as the new director for a three-year term beginning July 1.

“The school has faced many challenges during my two years as interim director,” said Madden. “The planning and changes that faculty, staff, students and other constituents have implemented as a result are but small steps up the road of improvement. The letter from CSWE is confirmation that we are headed in the right direction. I’m grateful that the university administration and the off campus constituents have maintained their support as well.”

As part of the School of Social Work’s Plan for Improvement, the school has hired five new faculty members. The bachelor’s and master’s programs also have new leaders. Dr. Darryl Haslam is the new coordinator for the master’s program and Dr. Jane Allgood is the new coordinator for the bachelor’s program. Lisa Street has been hired as the new coordinator of field education for the Springfield campus. Renee White continues as the coordinator of the master’s program and field education for the Joplin campus.