APU's Master of Social Work Program Receives Full Accreditation

AZUSA, Calif. – March is Social Work Month, and the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Azusa Pacific University recently achieved full accreditation from the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), making the institution 1 of 208 accredited master’s social work programs across the United States.

This accreditation provides reassurance for the current 131 MSW degree students as they continue their education. “It gives our prospective and current students a sense of security that APU is completely in line with current professional knowledge and expectations,” said Katy Tangenberg, Ph.D., director of the MSW program.

“Attaining accreditation from CSWE moves the program toward a position of greater influence in the community and further affirms the quality and value of social work education at Azusa Pacific University,” said Mark Stanton, Ph.D., ABPP, acting provost. “APU is committed to high-quality academic programs, and this demonstrates the relevance of Christian higher education in the field of social work.”

This accreditation follows four annual candidacy visits from CSWE commissioners and submission of extensive documentation detailing program curriculum, faculty expertise, congruence with professional standards and ethics, and student internship opportunities. Founded in 1952, this partnership of educational and professional institutions, social welfare agencies, and private citizens is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in this country.