Valley Forge Christian College Social Work Program Receives National Accreditation

Valley Forge Christian College (VFCC) is pleased to announce that the Bachelor of Social Work program was recently accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), a nonprofit association representing more than 2,500 individual members, as well as graduate and undergraduate programs of professional social work education.

Under the direction of Social Work Program Director and Assistant Professor, Stephen W. Stoeffler, accreditation from CSWE indicates that VFCC has created a strong program with a solid curriculum that ensures the highest standards of competency for faculty and students.

“This is a huge milestone and we are absolutely thrilled about the CSWE accreditation for VFCC’s Social Work program,” said VFCC President Dr. Don Meyer. "This accomplishment is a longstanding commitment and continued investment in providing quality social work education to our students and the community. In addition to validating the excellence of this program, graduates who desire to go on for a two year Master’s Degree in Social Work will be able to complete it in one year.”

CSWE accreditation is a rigorous multi-year process which verifies that social work degree programs meet the standards considered essential to high quality social work education. The CSWE voted to grant VFCCnational accreditation for the academic year 2008-2009 through June 2016.

“The accreditation by CSWE is recognition of the quality of our program and assuring the community thatVFCC graduates have critical knowledge and skills,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Kevin Beery. “Our Social Work program is preparing its graduating students to make a difference in their jobs from day one, and we are pleased for this recognition that we are preparing young men and women social workers to better their communities.”

Professor Stoeffler stated that, “among VFCC’s strengths in this five-year process was the diligent work of Dr. David Scolforo, Chair of the Behavioral Sciences Department, Dr. Philip McLeod, former Vice President of Academic Affairs, as well as all of the faculty and administrators who successfully participated in achieving this national accreditation.”

This significant recognition will allow VFCC to continue to pursue its commitment to community service and academic excellence, not only in the Pennsylvania area, but also nationally. VFCC Social Work graduates are now poised to attain top social work positions throughout the United States and around the world.