INTRODUCTION

The current Self-Study Report is submitted to the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) for the purpose of reaffirmation of the social work educational programs of the National School of Social Service (NCSSS) at The Catholic University of America (CUA).  This report presents documentation that the Baccalaureate and Master’s programs at NCSSS exhibit the “level of performance, integrity, and quality that entitles them to the confidence of the educational community and the public they serve” (CSWE, 2003, p. 1).  Specifically, both narrative information and quantitative analysis are provided to facilitate the reaffirmation review process, which determines compliance of social work educational programs with CSWE’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (2001).  This report consists of three volumes:

·        Volume I:  Material pertaining to compliance with Accreditation Standards 1 through 8.

·        Volume II: Copies of surveys, rating forms, and other materials used to assess program outcomes and monitor continuous improvement.

·        Volume III:  Copies of all course syllabi for the NCSSS Baccalaureate Program and Master’s Program.

During the self-study process, NCSSS developed a logic model that specifies the conceptual framework underlying the educational programs at NCSSS.  This model also served as a guide for the implementation of self-study efforts.  Figure 1 provides an illustration of this logic model, which shows the linkages from the Mission of the University to the measurement of expected program outcomes.

While each section on Accreditation Standards 1 through 8 focuses primarily on the benchmarks for compliance in each area, the following identifies the particular sections of this report that specifically address the linkages illustrated in Figure 1:

·        Accreditation Standard 1: Program Mission, Goals, and Objectives.  Discusses the relationship between the University Mission, NCSSS Mission, NCSSS Goals, BA and MSW Program Goals, and BA and MSW Program Objectives.  Also shows coherence of NCSSS Mission with the purposes of the social work profession and social work education.

·        Accreditation Standard 2: Curriculum. Presents the relationship between the NCSSS BA and MSW Program Objectives and the undergraduate and graduate curricula.

·        Accreditation Standard 8: Program Assessment and Continuous Improvement.  Provides information on the relationship between BA and MSW Program Objectives and Program Outcomes through presentation of undergraduate and graduate assessment plans and findings. Also discusses how assessment information is used to affirm and improve both educational programs.