Educational Policy Committee
The Educational Policy Committee (EPC) is a standing committee of the Board of Directors of CASWE-ACFTS and is accountable to the Board. It is Co-chaired by a member of the Board of Directors and a member of the Commission on Accreditation. The primary purpose of the EPC is to periodically review and recommend amendments to CASWE-ACFTS educational policies and Accreditation Standards. The Terms of Reference provide a more detailed description of the purpose, responsibilities, composition, and operation of the EPC and the Annual Reports (see below) describe the committee’s activities.
Please note that the Educational Policy Committee is currently in the process of reconvening. We are finalizing the list of members and will soon announce the new committee members. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition. Stay tuned for updates.
Update EPAS 2021
The Board of Directors has approved the 2021 Educational Policies and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). The Commission on Accreditation is recommending a transitional period of two years, during which Schools of Social Work can chose either the 2014 Accreditation Standards or the 2021 Educational Policies and Accreditation Standards. This transitional period will be effective from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023. The Commission on Accreditation will use the set of Standards chosen by the School of Social Work when assessing their program(s). When submitting their Self-Study Report, the Schools of Social Work will need to identify clearly which document they have selected.
Effective July 1, 2023, all Schools of Social Work will be expected to use the 2021 Educational Policies and Accreditation Standards in their reporting and therefore expected to comply with these Standards.
The Commission on Accreditation will be reviewing the Procedures for Accreditation and inform membership of the changes once the revision has been completed.
Please also consider Briefing Note #5, which was submitted by the Educational Policy Committee along with the EPAS.
Previous EPAS Briefing Notes and other relevant documents
- Briefing note # 4 Eng
- Briefing Note # 3, Spring 2019
- Briefing Note # 2
- Briefing Note #1_2016
- Process for the development of educational policies and accreditation standards – This process was approved by the BOD in February of 2015.
- Below are three research reports that provide useful background information:
- Other relevant documents: