Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work: Board of Accreditation Manual

 The Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work is a national non-governmental membership organization of educational institutions and associated individuals whose purpose is to advance the standards, effectiveness and relevance of social work education and scholarship in Canada, and in other countries through active participation in international associations. The Association is committed to equitable educational opportunities and participation of all member groups and individuals in educational and scholarly work, with particular attention to those experiencing systemic discrimination on the basis of gender, ethnic origin, skin colour, language, religious beliefs, class, sexual orientation, disability, age, culture or any other characteristic.

The Association is committed to the defence of academic freedom and to encouraging scholarship and debate on social work and social welfare with particular attention to how individual and social problems come to be defined and addressed, and to developing effective and empowering methods of education and research relevant to a diverse society caught up in a rapidly changing economic and social world order. Furthermore, the Association views social work education as a critical process based upon dialogue which respects difference and diverse sources and forms of knowledge and skill and encourages dissent.

The Association fulfils its purpose through a range of activities including:

the development of educational policies and standards;

the accreditation of social work education programmes;

the conduct of research and the promotion of scholarly activity;

the dissemination of information through publications and annual conferences;

the provision of critical analysis and public comment on issues affecting the education of social workers and the nature of social welfare policies and services.

The Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work stands with populations which experience poverty, exploitation and domination, and which engage with us to promote change and achieve equity and social justice through social work education, scholarship and collective action.

Approved by the General Assembly June 15 1994.

Please e-mail Dr. JoAnne Zamparo or Lisa Wellswith any questions or comments.
This site is maintained by Craig Collins and Lisa Wells.