FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University’s Master’s in Social Work program granted candidacy status

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University announced that its Master of Social Work (MSW) program has been granted candidacy status by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This significant milestone marks the completion of Benchmark 1 and moves the MSW program towards accreditation, expected in 2026. This achievement ensures that all students who commence their studies at Heritage will graduate from an accredited program retroactively once accreditation is achieved.

Achieving candidacy status is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the MSW program faculty and staff. Last November, faculty submitted a comprehensive 225-page document detailing the program’s adherence to accreditation standards and outlining the curriculum. Following a virtual site visit by CSWE this past January which identified only four areas requiring further clarification, faculty promptly addressing those points. The CSWE Board of Accreditation reviewed the document, site visit results and responses in June, and voted to grant candidacy status. This approval allows the program to move forward to Benchmark 2 while admitting its first cohort of students.

The MSW program must complete two additional benchmarks. The second benchmark will be submitted in November 2025, followed by the final benchmark in 2026. Corey Hodge, vice president of Student Affairs and the chair of the Social Work department at Heritage is pleased with the progress of the accreditation process and says its success will allow the university to offer a uniquely designed program to serve the rural communities of our region. “We emphasize culturally responsive service, particularly focusing on indigenous, Latinx, and agricultural populations. Our curriculum is tailored to address the specific needs of our communities, exemplified by courses such as “Culturally Tailored Interventions” offered in the specialized practice year,” said Hodge. “We have a strong team in place and are confident in completing the accreditation process on schedule.”

The inaugural cohort of the MSW program will begin classes in August 2024. Heritage will begin accepting applications for the fall of 2025 in November. Hodge says starting the program after Benchmark 1 approval will allow faculty to collect crucial data on program outcomes which will ensure the university remains on the right track and well-prepared for the final benchmark submissions.

For more information, please contact Corey Hodge at (509) 865-0411 or hodge_c@heritage.edu. For help with arranging interviews, please contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-7084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

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