Illustration by Daniel Serrano '22
By John Sullivan
Lesley University, a leader in preparing graduates for the critical fields of education, mental health and the arts, reached an important milestone this summer for our Master of Social Work (MSW) program.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has granted initial accreditation to the program through 2030. Lesley’s MSW program graduated its first cohort in 2022.
“The social work team at Lesley University has worked with CSWE for the last four years to earn accreditation for both the BSW and MSW programs,” says Dr. Joshua Baldwin, chair of the Social Sciences Department in our College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
“We are thrilled to have achieved such a critical milestone, ensuring our students are learning the skills they will need to become social work practitioners who will impact local, national, and global communities,” Baldwin adds.
Students who entered or completed programs prior to accreditation will be retroactively recognized as having graduated from a CSWE-accredited program. Lesley’s BSW program was granted initial accreditation in February 2022 and the MSW program in July 2023.
Accreditation through CSWE means Lesley University’s bachelor’s and master’s social work programs meet the national standard for social work education, focused on established social work competencies of practice. Massachusetts approves students graduating from accredited programs to sit for licensure examination for both bachelor’s (LSW) and master’s (LCSW) level licenses.
