CSWE is committed to supporting the growth and development of social work educators, program leaders, and students at every stage of their careers. Our Leadership and Teaching Academy opportunities provide structured, cohort-based programs designed to build capacity, strengthen skills, and foster community across social work education.

Whether you are a new program director navigating the complexities of academic administration, a faculty member looking to enhance your teaching practice, or a student developing specialized expertise in substance use disorders, CSWE offers dedicated programming to support your professional journey.

Explore our current offerings below.

Program Director Academy

Supporting new program directors with practical strategies and resources to strengthen their leadership, manage program operations effectively, and connect with fellow leaders and mentors.

Teaching Academy

Supporting faculty in enhancing their teaching skills and techniques with practical strategies and resources to strengthen their instructional approaches, engage students effectively, and integrate innovative teaching methods into their courses.

Program Director Academy

The CSWE Program Director Academy is designed to support new program directors with three years or less in the role as they navigate the complexities of social work program administration. This program will provide participants with practical strategies and resources to strengthen their leadership, manage program operations effectively, and connect with fellow leaders and mentors.

Experienced social work administrators will lead sessions on key topics, such as leadership, faculty management, accreditation and assessment, curriculum oversight, student support, and fostering an inclusive and collaborative program culture.

Participants will form connections with fellow program directors from institutions across the country, building a supportive community of peers who are committed to advancing social work education through strong and effective leadership.

Eligibility

This program is open to baccalaureate, master's, or practice doctorate program directors who have been in their position for 3 or fewer years. 

Applicants must be from a CSWE member institution, and have their individual membership activated, to apply; Please visit our membership portal to ensure your individual membership is activated prior to applying. If you have been in your position longer than 3 years and are interested in applying, please contact Education@cswe.org prior to submitting an application.

Programming

The program requires a 1-year commitment (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027) and includes participation in the following:

  • A full-day Leadership Development Institute held on October 22, 2026 at the CSWE Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA.
  • Online modules, webinars, and virtual networking opportunities through the CSWE Learning Academy in spring 2027. Participants will apply and integrate core concepts and competencies from the program to initiatives in their home institutions.
  • An exclusive webinar for PDA cohort members will be held in the winter or early spring of 2027.
  • Quarterly virtual Check-ins
    Held the following dates from 1:30-2:30pm ET:
    • November 19, 2026
    • February 18, 2027
    • June 10, 2027
      Virtual check-ins will be led by CSWE staff members and invited mentors and provide an opportunity for cohort participants to share resources, engage concerning programmatic concerns, and brainstorm the application of best leadership strategies in their programs.
  • Program Completion Reception and Certificate Presentation
    • A combined reception for Program Director and Teaching Academy Members held at CSWE's Annual Conference
    • Certificate of Completion will be sent to each participant

How to Apply

The next round of Program Director Academy Applications open March 1, 2027. Stay tuned for more information.

Required application materials include:

  • a completed online application form;
  • Personal statement; CSWE reviews applications to understand each applicant's perspective and experience. If you use AI or other resources, applicants are responsible for ensuring their submission is original, written in your own voice, and not copied from external sources or generated text submitted without meaningful personal review;
  • a letter of support from chair or dean; and
  • a current CV.

Applications will be reviewed by CSWE. A limited number of applicants will be accepted, and decisions will be issued by April 15, 2027.

Fees & Expenses

The fee for the 2026–2027 Program Director Academy is $1,500, payable on acceptance into the program. This fee covers expenses related to speakers, course materials, and other items. Tuition fee also covers the registration for the 2026 Leadership Development Institute, but not the 2026 Annual Conference registration. Participants are responsible for any additional fees related to travel to attend other in-person Annual Conference meetings and registration.

Acceptance letters and invoices will be sent to select candidates in mid-April. Once an applicant is selected to participate in the program, the registration fee is due by July 5, 2026. Failure to pay the fee by this time may result in removal from the cohort. Any additional expenses are the responsibility of the participant or college/school.

If you have technical questions about the form please direct your questions to Submittable's Help Center. For questions regarding the application or program, please email Education@cswe.org.

Teaching Academy

The CSWE Teaching Academy is a virtual workshop designed to support faculty in enhancing their teaching skills and techniques in social work education. This program will provide participants with practical strategies and resources to strengthen their instructional approaches, engage students effectively, and integrate innovative teaching methods into their courses.

Faculty experts in social work education will lead sessions on key topics, such as curriculum design, student engagement, inclusive pedagogy, assessment and evaluation, instructional technology, and best practices in online and in-person teaching.

Participants will also have opportunities to network with colleagues from programs across the country, fostering a community of educators dedicated to excellence in social work education.

Eligibility

This program is open to full or part time faculty at a CSWE-accredited social work program; social work doctoral students that have achieved candidacy status are also eligible to apply. 

Applicants must be from a CSWE member institution, and have their individual membership activated, to apply; Please visit our membership portal to ensure your individual membership is activated prior to applying. If you have been in your position longer than 3 years and are interested in applying, please contact Education@cswe.org prior to submitting an application.

Programming

The program requires a 1-year commitment (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027) and includes participation in the following:

A Virtual Summer Teaching Institute on July 6, 8, 13 and 15, 2026 (3 hours each day: 1:00 - 4:00 pm ET).

  • This virtual workshop with cohort participants is designed to build and strengthen teaching skills and techniques.
  • National faculty experts will speak on the following topics related to teaching and learning.
  • Networking opportunities will be available with other faculty from across the country.

Participants can select between attending the pre-conference Assessment Institute or Technology/AI Institute held October 22, 2026 at the CSWE Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA.  

Online modules, webinars, and virtual networking opportunities through the CSWE Learning Academy in spring 2026. Participants will apply and integrate core concepts and competencies from the program to initiatives in their home institutions.  

  • An exclusive webinar for TA cohort members will be held in the winter or early spring of 2027. 

Quarterly virtual Check-ins

  • Held the following dates from 3 - 4:00 pm ET : November 19, 2026; February 18, 2027; and June 10, 2027
  • Virtual check-ins will be led by CSWE staff members and invited mentors and provide an opportunity for cohort participants to share resources, engage concerning programmatic concerns, and brainstorm the application of best leadership strategies in their programs.

Program Completion Reception and Certificate of Completion

  • A combined reception for Program Director and Teaching Academy Members held at CSWE's Annual Conference.  
  • Certificate of Completion will be sent to each participant 

How to Apply

The next round of Teaching Academy Applications open March 1, 2027. Stay tuned for more information.

Required application materials include:

  • a completed online application form;  
  • Personal statement; CSWE reviews applications to understand each applicant’s perspective and experience. If you use AI or other resources, applicants are responsible for ensuring their submission is original, written in your own voice, and not copied from external sources or generated text submitted without meaningful personal review; 
  • a letter of support from program director, chair, or dean; and  
  • a current CV.

Applications will be reviewed by CSWE. A limited number of applicants will be accepted, and decisions will be issued by April 15, 2027.

Fees & Expenses

The fee for the 2026–2027 Teaching Academy is $1,200, payable on acceptance into the program. This fee covers expenses related to speakers, course materials, and other items. Tuition fee also covers the registration for the 2026 Assessment Institute or Technology/AI Institute, but not the 2026 Annual Conference registration. Participants are responsible for any additional fees related to travel to attend other in-person Annual Conference meetings and registration.  

Acceptance letters and invoices will be sent to select candidates in mid-April. Once an applicant is selected to participate in the program, the registration fee is due by July 5, 2026. Failure to pay the fee by this time may result in removal from the cohort. Any additional expenses are the responsibility of the participant or college/school.  

If you have questions about the CSWE Teaching Acadmey, please send an email to Education@cswe.org.