Clarke Receives Accreditation for Social Work Education

The Clarke University baccalaureate social work program was notified that it received initial accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education. At its June 2013 meeting, the Commission on Accreditation (COA) voted to grant Initial Accreditation to the Clarke University program through June 2017. “The accreditation is a testament to the quality of the Clarke program,” said Joanne Burrows, Ph.D., SC, president of the university. “We are proud of the students and faculty in the social work department and the work they do in careers that carry out our mission of justice.”Clarke has been a leader in social work education since the 1960s, and has provided an accredited program since 1995. In 2008, Clarke announced that the bi-college social work program affiliated with Clarke University and Loras College would continue through the 2008–2009 academic year, after which Clarke University would independently offer its program leading to a bachelor’s degree in social work. As a result, Clarke has been in candidacy to receive this accreditation for its independent program since that time.To gain accreditation, the program is evaluated in four areas: students, curriculum, faculty and assessment, as well as on 10 national competencies. The Clarke program received the maximum accreditation allowed at this time.“The accreditation is an important achievement for our program and our students,” said Regina Boarman, MSW, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the program. “It allows students to be licensed as a social worker in any state and allows students to enter graduate school with advanced standing.”Clarke University is a Catholic, liberal arts and sciences university dedicated to preparing students who positively impact their workplace, family and community. Academic offerings include more than 40 undergraduate liberal arts and pre-professional programs, a robust adult degree program and four graduate degree programs.  The Clarke Crusaders compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) with 16 varsity teams. Founded in 1843 by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Clarke is located near the Mississippi River in the thriving city of Dubuque, Iowa. It is the only BVM university in the country.For more information, contact the Clarke University Marketing and Communication Office at (563)588-6318.