Social Work Organizations
Action Network for Social Work Education and Research
The Action Network for Social Work Education and Research (ANSWER) is a coalition of the following organizations: Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD), Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education (GADE), Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research (IASWR), National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work (NADD), National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR).
Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD)
The Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors is an association of BSW Program Administrators, Faculty, Field Directors, and others dedicated to the promotion of excellence in baccalaureate social work education.
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is a nonprofit national association representing over 3,000 individual members as well as 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 this country.
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 therefore 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.
Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education (GADE)
The Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education (GADE) is an organization whose membership is comprised of directors of established social work/social welfare doctoral programs located in accredited universities. It was founded nearly 25 years ago to provide a forum for sharing ideas and strategies, and for strengthening members' efforts at enhancing doctoral education.
Influencing State Policy (ISP)
Influencing State Policy (ISP) was formed in March 1997 in Chicago by 30 social workers/educators. Its mission is to assist faculty and students in learning how to influence effectively the formation, implementation, and evaluation of state-level policy and legislation. The goal of ISP is to increase Social Work efficacy in influencing state-level policy and legislation. Membership is open to anyone who wishes to participate in the committee's goals and activities.
Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research (IASWR)
The Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research (IASWR) was founded in 1993 by five national professional organizations that represent the social work practice and education communities, to fulfill recommendations from a 1991 report adopted by National Institute of Mental Health’s advisory council, which highlighted the need to strengthen social work research resources. In 2000, those five organizations were joined by a sixth. A freestanding, not-for-profit organization, IASWR serves the research needs of the entire social work profession. Sponsoring organizations are represented on the Board of Directors of IASWR and contribute annually to its financial support.
IASWR promotes social work research conducted under the auspices of other academic and professional organizations. IASWR does not conduct or fund social work research directly, except in surveys on behalf of the profession, which relate to fulfilling Institute goals.
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with 150,000 members. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.
Society for Social Work Research (SSWR)
The Society for Social Work and Research was founded in 1994 as a free-standing organization dedicated to the advancement of social work research. SSWR works collaboratively with a number of other organizations that are committed to improving support for research among social workers. Our members include faculty in schools of social work and other professional schools, research staff in public and private agencies, and masters/doctoral students.
