Bachelor of Social Work Program Acknowledgment

As part of the admission process Capella University requires individuals to read and acknowledge the following:

Program Accreditation

  • Capella's Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is currently in Candidacy status for Accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation.
  • Should the program attain CSWE initial accreditation, any graduates who entered the program during its candidacy will be retroactively recognized as having graduated from a CSWE- accredited program. The Candidacy Process is typically a three-year process and there is no guarantee that a program in Candidacy will eventually attain Initial Accreditation.
  • Candidacy by CSWE's Commission on Accreditation applies to all locations and delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
  • For more information about social work accreditation, you may review the CSWE website.

Fitness to Practice

  • Throughout the undergraduate training of each student, faculty and staff are responsible for educating and assessing students regarding their personal suitability and fitness for the profession. Faculty, training staff, supervisors, and administrators exercise their academic and professional judgments to assess whether students have the competence to manage professional relationships in an effective and appropriate manner and that they possess the emotional maturity, interpersonal stability, and intellectual judgment required to work with vulnerable populations.
  • Personal suitability and fitness for the profession includes, but is not limited to, demonstration of sufficient interpersonal and professional competence; self-awareness, self-reflection, and selfevaluation; openness to processes of supervision; and resolution of issues that interfere with professional development or functioning in a satisfactory manner.
  • Per Capella University policy, students who demonstrate behaviors that do not align with professional standards will be referred to a department or university faculty review panel for further evaluation which may result in remedial requirements or dismissal from the program.

Site-based Learning

The following applies to students in programs requiring a Site-based Learning (SBL) experience, including but not limited to practicum, internship, or practice education.

  • Students must be eligible to work within the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands at the time of the SBL experience. 
  • Students in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences agree that SBL experience may only be completed within the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands. Capella University is not able to offer visas or other types of work permits to students.
  • Students in all programs are encouraged to identify their preferred SBL sites and opportunities early in their programs. Capella University offers support in identifying and securing SBL experience sites at a geographically accessible location, which will depend upon the nature of the required SBL activity and the student's location. Students must actively engage in the timely completion of Capella University mandated preparatory activities and the site procurement process. A student's delay in completing or refusal to complete such preparatory activities or prerequisites or refusal to engage in a SBL experience at a geographically accessible SBL site identified by Capella, may result in a student's delay or inability to complete the program.
  • Students may be required to pass fingerprint and/or background checks by the university, a site, or a state licensing office to complete SBL experiences. Students are responsible for understanding and complying with any applicable background check requirements, including any fees associated with completing the background check (approximately $36 - $200 depending on state and/or site requirements).
  • Students will not be able to complete Capella's program if required SBL experiences cannot be completed due to a failed background check. In some cases, a negative background check may result in remediation and/or academic sanctions including administrative removal from the program. Students are responsible for understanding how their personal and criminal background may impact their ability to complete the degree program, earn a professional license or secure employment.

Professional Licensure

  • Capella University offers certain programs designed to prepare individuals to seek professional licenses or certifications. Professional licensing standards vary from state to state, and it is important to understand all educational and state specific requirements for licensing. Completion of a Capella program alone may not meet licensure or certification requirements in some states.
  • Transfer credit may be awarded through a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) for certain specializations. Some state licensing boards or agencies may not accept transfer credits awarded through a PLA for various reasons, including but not limited to, length of time since the original course was completed, or status of specialized approval or accreditation of the courses. In addition to programmatic or academic requirements (degree type, accreditation, program credits, internship or practicum hours, coursework, etc.), state licensing boards may require applicants to meet additional state-specific requirements (professional examinations, background checks, years of work experience, fingerprinting, etc.) and to pay any associated fees. Students are advised to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensing board in the state in which they intend to seek employment in a licensed profession.
  • Relocating to another state may impact your ability to meet that state’s licensure requirements. Students and graduates of Capella’s licensure programs should also be aware that some statespecific license requirements cannot be fulfilled after degree conferral. Students enrolled in a professional licensure program who are considering moving or working in another state should review the professional licensure disclosure for the state in which they intend to practice and discuss the state requirements with an academic advisor. 
  • It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the requirements for professional practice in any state where you intend to seek a license or certification. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement, and no statement made at any time by any member of the Capella faculty, or any representative of Capella shall be construed as a representation, warranty, or commitment to obtain professional licensure or certification. Please review Capella's Professional Licensure Disclosures for the program(s) and state(s) for which you intend to seek a state license, certification, or endorsement.

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