Accreditation achieved for social work department

by Jennifer Nespoli features_edi1or

The social work department is beginning its first year as an accredited program.

After six years of evaluation by the Council on Social Work Education, the rewards have finally come. Cabrini's bachelor of social work program received accreditation in June.

Accreditation means that Cabrini's social work program is nationally recognized and accepted by the sole social work council in the country. That means that the program passed a series of rigorous standards, the curriculum is adequate, the faculty is strong and the department is committed to providing a satisfactory education.

The program is also now recognized by the Council of Higher Education.

For graduates, having a degree from an accredited school gives them an extra edge in the field, according to Dr. Carol Bennett-Speight, director of the social work department.

"We had a lot of successful graduates before the program was accredited, so now we expect even more success," said Speight.

It also allows students who are going into graduate school to apply for an advanced standing, which will enable them to graduate in one year instead of two.

The process to gain accreditation officially began five years ago by Dr. Ann Parks, who was then the director of the social work department. Margo Bare, professor of social work, was also heavily involved in the process.

The first year was spent conducting a feasibility study, which answers the question, "Why is there a need for the social work program at Cabrini?"

The second year was spent working on a demographics study, which answered the question, "Could Cabrini become a candidate for accreditation?" Cabrini then became an official candidate for accreditation.

During the third year, the faculty identified the problems in the social work program and worked on solving those problems.

The fourth year was dedicated to writing a self-study. It was a "very intense process," according to Speight. The faculty had to document every aspect of the social work program. The result was three large volumes, each at least an inch thick.

Last January, the site team came to Cabrini for three days to evaluate the program firsthand. They talked to students, faculty and alumni. After all the suggested changes had been made, the accreditation counsel added Cabrini to the long list of accredited schools at their June review meeting. There are 419 schools across the country that have an accredited social work program.

Among the accredited schools in the Philadelphia area

Tuesday,Sept. 1,1998

An officer was requested to enter a room in the Dixon House to colle..:.ta piece of drug paraphernalia. The officer opened a drawer and found a 6-inch bong, a bottle of Jack Daniels, three other bottles of alcohol, two bottles of Rolling Rock and two bottles of Bass. The officer took the paraphernalia and alcohol to submit as evidence.

Saturday, Sept. 5, 1998

Public safety was notified that the door handle on the main entrance to the apartments was damaged. Physical Plant was notified and a maintenance work order was filled out.

Thursday, Sept.10, 1998

Theft

A theft at the Dixon Center was reported. Around Aug.28, 1998, a wireless microphone was taken from a closet in the aerobics room. Radnor polics were contacted and a report was written.

Friday, Sept. 11, 1998

Fire Alarm are Widener University, West Chester University, Eastern College, Temple University and LaSalle University.

A fire alarm went off in Lanshe House. An officer responded and cleared the building, but found no reason for the alarm to be activated.

The accreditation is in effect until June 2002. After those first four years, the Council will review Cabrini's program. If the program is accepted again, Cabrini will be accredited for the next eight years and will be reviewed every eight years from then on.

'Tm delighted," said Bare. "This is first and foremost a stamp of approval on the program. It says to employers and colleges that our program is in good shape.''

Cabrini began offering social work classes in 1973 and later expanded to a concentration and eventually to a curriculum, according to Speight. In the spring of 1981, the college's Board of Trustees approved the program to become a major and in 1982 the first bachelor's degrees in social work at Cabrini were given out.

It was not until May of 1986 that the Board approved the recommendation that the program should formally apply for accreditation.

"Our students have never had any problems with getting jobs or getting into graduate schools, but anything we can do to help them further we should do," Bare said.

On Thursday, Oct. 29, the social work department is planning to celebrate by throwing a party in the Mansion for students, faculty, administrators, alumni and field instructors.

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by Mary Eileen O'Connor assistant features editor

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