New, as well as former site visitors, must apply, be appointed, and attend training to be certified and eligible for future visit assignments. Current site visitors only need to reapply at the end of their appointed 3-year term.

Overview

CSWE-accredited baccalaureate and master's social work programs host site visits as an integral part of the reaffirmation process. Site visitors conduct visits to programs on behalf of the CSWE Board of Accreditation (BOA). The role of the site visitor is to be an objective gatherer of information to inform reaffirmation decisions.
Site visitors are expected to conduct at least one site visit every two academic years, however, typically site visitors conduct one visit per year based on need and availability. Visits are conducted in-person or virtually. 

For more information on the policies, roles, and expectations of site visitors, please review the Site Visitor Info Sheet and Policy 6.6 in the Accreditation Policy Handbook.

Eligibility
 The applicant must:

• be a full- or part-time social work faculty member at a CSWE-accredited or candidate social work program; 
• possess at least three years of teaching experience in a CSWE-accredited social work program; 
• be willing to conduct at least one site visit every two academic years; and 
• be an active CSWE member (included for faculty and administrators of CSWE member programs). Click link to activate individual CSWE membership.

Application Materials
 Applicants that are eligible and interested in applying to become a certified site visitor must complete the site visitor application.

Within the application portal, applicants will:

• respond to a brief set of questions (including a statement of interest);
• upload CV; and 
• upload a letter of support from their program’s chief administrator (e.g., dean, chair); that would support the time necessary to devote to site visitor trainings and visit commitments. If the applicant is the program's chief administrator, a letter of support should be provided from an institutional administrator (e.g., provost). If you are unable to obtain a letter of support from your program’s chief administrator by April 30, 2024, at 11:59:59 PM ET then please upload a note stating when you estimate you will receive this letter of support. Once obtained, please email to Alyson Balfour, Accreditation Volunteer Coordinator, adurant@cswe.org and then your application will be considered complete.

How to apply

• You will need to create a free Submittable account or sign in with Google or Facebook credentials to submit to these forms. (please note: Submittable is not affiliated with your CSWE membership account). 
• You can save a draft of your work if you would like to finish filling out the form at a later date.
• If you need to make changes to your form prior to submission, please withdraw and resubmit.
• If anything changes with the information you submitted, please request to edit the submission
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Application Review 

CSWE accreditation staff evaluate applications based on applicant qualifications and to ensure a diverse and well-rounded group of volunteers, considering, but not limited to the following: number of visits in the upcoming reaffirmation cycle(s), geographic diversity, institutional auspice (e.g., minority-serving institution, research/teaching focus), social work program options, size, program foci, and CSWE’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy Statement.

Appointments
Applicants will be notified of a decision by mid-June 2024. Site visitors are appointed to 3-year terms of service (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2027), with the option to renew appointment at the expiration of the term. 

Orientation and Training
To be assigned to a visit, appointed applicants are required to attend orientation and training, even if previously trained. Appointed individuals must attend one virtual orientation (Summer 2024) and one virtual training (Fall 2024).

Orientation Dates:  Wednesday, July 24, 2024 3-4pm ET or Tuesday, August 6, 2024 3-4pm ET

Training Dates: Thursday, November 7, 2024 12-3pm ET or Friday, November 15, 2024 12-3pm ET

Periodic trainings may be required of site visitors to remain current on the EPAS, BOA interpretations, and site visit operations. 

For more information about this and other volunteer opportunities, visit cswe.org/volunteer or cswe.org/accredvolunteer.