GREENSBURG, PA- Seton Hill University announced that its social work program has achieved initial accreditation status from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

“Seton Hill is proud to offer the only accredited undergraduate social work program in Westmoreland County,” Dr. Mary Ann Gawelek, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty, said. “We are committed to providing our students with the best preparation for graduate school and the work place and are pleased to have received formal recognition for our program by the CSWE.”

“The accreditation standing pushes students to the first level in job interviews. In rural places like Westmoreland County, there are plenty of job opportunities that our graduating students can take advantage of,” said Dr. Marilyn Sullivan-Cosetti, Seton Hill social work program director. “Another benefit for our students is that they can sit for the licensing exams offered for the baccalaureate level in states that offer them. Although Pennsylvania does not have a license for the baccalaureate level, several nearby states do.”

Accreditation is retroactive for degree recipients since December 1998. In addition, students graduating from Seton Hill’s undergraduate program in social work may earn up to 17 credits of advanced standing in graduate school for social work.

“Following our accreditation, many organizations have contacted us that want to serve as field practicum sites for Seton Hill social work students,” said Dr. David Droppa, Seton Hill social work program field coordinator, noting Seton Hill students experience hands-on interaction in the community early-on so they can determine where their interests lie. “Whether students are looking at internships, their practicum, grad school or entrance into the job market, our students know that with accreditation comes the awareness that we have met the highest standard in the social work field.”

“I’m happy that Seton Hill received accreditation for the social work program for a number of reasons,” recent Seton Hill graduate Corey Pisula said. “Now my degree in social work stands for something more not only in the work force, but when I apply for graduate school. As students in the program, we were definitely held to a higher standard and accreditation had become ‘our baby,’ too because from the beginning we were involved in helping to achieve accreditation status.”

Pisula serves as a social worker for Family to Family Adoption, a private adoption agency in Irwin, PA. She helps adopting families and birth mothers through the adoption process. “With all the experience I received through Seton Hill’s program, especially in the field practicum during my senior year, I was more than prepared to enter the work force,” she said.

CSWE is a non-profit national association representing over 3,000 individual members as well as 158 graduate and undergraduate programs of professional social work education. Founded in 1952, this partnership of educational and professional institutions, social welfare agencies and private citizens is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States.

CSWE works to ensure the preparation of competent social work professionals by providing national leadership and a forum for collective action. The main responsibility of CSWE is to promote and maintain the high quality of social work education. In addition, CSWE strives to stimulate knowledge and curriculum development, to advance social justice and to strengthen community and individual well-being.

The social work program at Seton Hill University provides an individualized education that integrates the liberal arts curriculum with the knowledge, values and skills of the social work profession. All classes are small and taught by Ph.D. social work faculty who are experienced in professional practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Rewarding internship and service learning volunteer opportunities for academic credit begin in the freshman year. Numerous career opportunities in social work exist for graduates at the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree levels. For more information, please contact Dr. Marilyn Sullivan-Cosetti, program director, at 724-830-1065 or cosetti@setonhill.edu or Dr. David Droppa, field coordinator, at 724-830-1411 or droppa@setonhill.edu.