Social Work Program On Track For Accreditation

Published: April 13, 2021

Greenville Universitys social work program remains on track to achieve accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), meaning big benefits for the programs graduates.

The Universitys new Director of Social Work Hannah (DeLoche 10) Shanks reports the program is nearing the end of the process and could receive confirmation of accreditation as early as spring 2018 if all continues to go well.

Achieving accreditation through the CSWE typically takes about three years. Greenville University began the process in 2015. The University documented its social work programs compliance with CSWE and welcomed on-site evaluators from the CSWE.

The CSWE will make its decision following a final on-site evaluation this fall.

Accreditation would grant two major benefits to Greenville University social work majors:

• A speedier path to a masters. Students can progress through graduate programs in social work more quickly if they earn a bachelors in social work from an accredited program.

• Eligibility for licensure. Most jobs in the social work field require a social work license, but to sit for licensure, a student needs a social work degree from an accredited program. Completing an accredited undergrad program means a student can pursue licensure right away.

Some benefits have already kicked in. Many masters programs, for example, offer a fast track to students if the students undergraduate social work program is in the process of accreditation.

Greenville University already has what Shanks calls a long tradition of sending competent social work students straight into postgraduate programs, particularly in the St. Louis area. Theres a legacy now, Shanks says. She hopes the Universitys reputation as a good springboard into masters studies in social work will only increase.

Greenville University is Hannah Shanks old stomping ground. She earned degrees in psychology and religion/cross-cultural ministry from Greenville University, then received her MSW from St. Louis University. She facilitates diversity and inclusion training with Diversity Awareness Partnership in St. Louis and has taught for MacMurray College.

She assumes several responsibilities in her new role with Greenville U:

• Curriculum development
• Program recruitment
• Managing partnerships inside and outside the University
• Teaching duties

My longer term goal is to increase recruitment she says. She hopes to infuse energy and organization into the social work majors recruitment efforts at area schools.

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