Concordia U. Social Work Program Receives National Accreditation

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 100 people gathered at Concordia University Thurs., Sept. 9, 2010, to celebrate the national accreditation of the University's social work program by the Council on Social Work Education.

"This national accreditation recognizes that Concordia meets the highest national standards for social work education," said Dr. Sonja Vegdahl, professor and social work program director in Concordia University's College of Health and Human Services.

Concordia University began the five-year accreditation process in 2005. In addition to the national recognition the accreditation brings to Concordia, Vegdahl adds that the accredited offers Concordia graduates additional credibility in seeking both employment and graduate degrees.

"Students who graduate from Concordia's social work program can now apply to masters of social work programs nationwide with 'advanced standing,' which means they can complete their masters program in one year instead of the standard two years," she said.  Any Concordia social work graduate since 2005 can now apply for advanced standing when entering a graduate program.

Current social work students, alumni, faculty, Social Work Advisory Committee Members and local community partners all celebrated the program's accreditation Sept. 9 in the lobby of the George R. White Library and Learning Center.

Concordia's social work program experienced record enrollment this fall. Concordia offers both a bachelor's of arts and a bachelor's of science in social work. Both degrees prepare students to become servant-leaders who work actively towards the transformation of society.  The programs curriculum and learning environment is accessible to a broad diversity of students who will make important and unique contributions in their service to clients, communities and the profession.

For more information about Concordia's social work program, visit www.cu-portland.edu/socialwork.

ABOUT THE COUNCIL ON SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is a nonprofit national association founded in 1952 and representing more than 3,000 members, including individuals as well as graduate and undergraduate programs providing professional social work education.

ABOUT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY

Concordia University is a private, Lutheran, liberal arts university located in northeast Portland, Ore. with a mission of preparing leaders for the transformation of society.  Founded in 1905, Concordia University serves more than 2,500 students through its College of Education, College of Health & Human Services, College of Theology, Arts, & Sciences and School of Management.  

CONTACT: Madeline Turnock of Concordia University, +1-503-280-8550 or [email protected]

SOURCE Concordia University