The Alternative to CSWE's Traditional Reaffirmation Process: One Small BSW Program's Experience

The Council on Social Work Education's Commission on Accreditation approved a policy in 2004 that allows well-established social work programs the option to complete an alternative to the traditional self-study process. This alternative consists of the completion of a reaffirmation compliance audit and special project that is significant to social work or the program's specific goals and objectives. This article describes how one small BSW program successfully implemented the alternative process by completing a modified self-study, a new site visit protocol, and a threephased project including a needs assessment, a seminar on conducting agency evaluations, and a collaboration with a local mentoring agency. Outcomes for community stakeholders, faculty, and students were positive; although requiring extensive resources, the alternative process was worthwhile. Based on their experience, the authors share suggestions for programs considering this option.