New BSW From COSC

[studyingfortests]

This might eventually be a thing, but I would not consider it at present.

There are lots of fully online BSW and MSW programs. CSWE requires two practicums for a BSW (four if you do the MSW without the BSW), and they used to require they be in-person. However, during Covid, CSWE allowed practica to be done entirely remotely (still with an outside agency). I have heard that they may be developing flexibility in permanently allowing online practica. But in any case, there's no savings by doing the non-advanced standing MSW with a BA in something else, as it will simply require you to do the two practicums you did not do because you did not take a BSW plus the two required for the MSW.

I am going to agree with Louise. It is very, very unlikely that CSWE will allow any (or very, very few) ACE credits. They have very strict and precise outcome measurements for every course in the BSW and I doubt any current ACE courses meet those requirements.

It's my understanding that CSWE accreditation requires that the school actually be offering the program and has students enrolled before they will even enter the pre-candidacy phase. So COSC is likely starting the program, then after it's been in place for a year (or whatever CSWE requires), they will apply for candidacy, and that is usually a 3-4 year process... with no guarantees that the school will achieve full accreditation.

Lastly, it is a very mixed bag as far as what online programs require in locating a practicum. There are many schools where the school itself finds your practicum for you (and you don't have a choice of what kind of agency it is where you are placed.) There are many others where you find the practicum yourself, and then the school contacts them and enters an agreement with them.

I don't see anything appealing about this program at present. There are plenty of well-established BSW online programs that are fully accredited by CSWE and are less expensive.