Commissions & Councils

The Commission for Diversity and Social and Economic Justice (CDSEJ) promotes in social work education inclusion, equity, social and economic justice, and the integration of knowledge of how the multiple aspects of human diversity intersect. Under CDSEJ's umbrella are four councils: the Council on Disability and Persons with Disabilities, the Council on Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Diversity, the Council on the Role and Status of Women in Social Work Education, and the Council on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression. Scroll further to learn more about each council.

The Council on Disability and Persons with Disabilities (CDPD) develops social work education resources that are related to issues surrounding disability and the experiences of individuals with disabilities.

The Council on Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Diversity (CRECD) initiates new activities and programs related to historically underrepresented groups in social work education.

The Council on the Role and Status of Women in Social Work Education (CORSW) develops educational resources relevant to women's issues within social work education.

The Council on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (CSOGIE) promotes the development of social work curriculum materials and faculty growth opportunities relevant to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and the experiences of individuals who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or two-spirit.

The Commission on Educational Policy (COEP) identifies pedagogical concerns in social work education, reviews current CSWE programs related to educational policy and planning, and periodically writes a statement of social work curriculum policy that is used to formulate CSWE's accreditation standards.

Underneath COEP are two councils: the Council on Field Education (COFE) and the Council on Practice Methods and Specializations (CPMS). Keep scrolling to learn more about each council.

The Council on Field Education (COFE) collaborates with the professional community to improve the quality of field programs, provides support for field directors and educators, and produces and disseminates relevant knowledge.

The Council on Practice Methods and Specializations (CPMS) identifies and responds to issues relevant to the preparation of students in the context of current and emerging social work practice.

The Commission on Global Social Work Education (CGSWE) works with other international organizations to promote international programs and projects and to develop the international dimension of the social work curricula. Within CGSWE, there are three councils: the Council on Global Social Issues (CGSI), the Council on Global Learning and Practice (CGLP) promotes the development of social workers competent in international practice, and the Council on Environmental Justice and Human Rights (CEJHR).

Keep scrolling to learn more about each council.

The Council on Global Social Issues (CGSI) provides international visibility for the social work profession and promotes collaborative activities with international organizations.

The Council on Global Learning and Practice (CGLP) promotes the development of social workers competent in international practice.

The Council on Environmental Justice and Human Rights (CEJHR) provides leadership for the advancement of human rights and the rights of nature.

The Commission on Membership and Professional Development (CMPD) seeks to maximize educational outcomes in the form of highly competent social work graduates through approaching professional development with a spirit of creative inquiry that promotes inclusion and unity among social work educators.

Within CMPD, there are three councils: the Council on Conferences and Faculty Development (CCFD), the Council on Leadership Development (CLD), and the Council on Publications (COP). Keep scrolling to learn more about each council.

The Council on Conferences and Faculty Development (CCFD) is responsible for policy-setting and programming related to the Annual Program Meeting.

The Council on Leadership Development (CLD) initiates programs and services related to the development of leaders in social work education.

The Council on Publications (COP) serves as the policy-making body with respect to publications and as an editorial board in acquiring publication ideas and assessing the viability of publication proposals.

The Commission on Research (COR) engages in a range of initiatives that enrich the interface of social work education and research, including helping to: establish key research priorities for CSWE; build databases to support knowledge building around social work education; promote excellence in research curricula; and to advocate for research supported policies, practices, and programs with CSWE.