Policies and Accreditation

Continuing Education Credit Information

Continuing Education (CE) credits are offered through the following organizations. The type of credits offered varies by course. Please review individual course pages to determine which types of credit are available. It is the attendees' responsibility to contact their licensing board to determine eligibility to meet continuing education requirements.

CSWE

Smith College School for Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and is therefore authorized to provide CEs as a postsecondary institution accredited by CSWE in many states. Courses offered through the School's Program of Professional Education are awarded continuing education credits in accordance with Continuing Education Regulation 258, CMR, 31.00 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  

Select courses offer ASWB Credits

Smith College School for Social Work, #1755, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period:11/19/2021-11/19/2024. 

Select courses offer NY State CEs

Smith College School for Social Work is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0169. 

Select courses also offer NBCC credit for Counselors (LMHC/LPC)
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NBCC ACEP logo

Smith College School for Social Work has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7110. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Smith College School for Social Work is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Professional Education for Practicum Learning Instructors

Practicum learning instructors will be granted free admission (minus registration fee) of up to 12 credits of professional education in-person and virtual seminars per year (not including certificate programs). To qualify for this benefit, instructors need to be actively supervising a Smith SSW student. Every effort will be made to honor the instructors first choice of workshop; however, the Office of Professional Education reserves the right to deny complimentary access due to over-enrollment.

Professional Education Policies and Procedures

Accommodations Policy

Smith College utilizes Principles of Universal Design to guide us in our work as we strive to proactively identify and remove barriers to participation wherever possible. We also strive to promote a disability positive and inclusive climate at Smith that recognizes each person's multiple identities and values the diverse perspectives that contribute to a multicultural living and learning environment. Smith’s commitment to providing support and services is balanced with a humanistic and developmental approach that requires student engagement and responsibility in the accommodation process. 

All programs are wheelchair accessible. For disability access information or accommodations requests, please call 413-585-4198 at your earlier convenience. To request a sign language interpreter, call 413-585-2071 (voice or TTY) or email arc@smith.edu at least 10 days before the event.

Registration and Payment Policy

Please complete your registration early. Space is filled on a first-served basis. Registrations and payment must be received prior to the workshop or course start date. If payment is not received within this timeframe, this registration may be cancelled and the seat released to another attendee.

Payments may be made by credit card or check. Checks should be made out to Smith College School for Social Work.

Refund Policy

Refund Policy for Certificate Programs

The tuition deposit and application fee for programs are non-refundable. A full refund will be granted (less the tuition deposit and application fee) if written notice of withdrawal or cancellation is received two weeks prior to the date of the course or first session of the course of a certificate program. Refund requests must be sent by email to sswpe@smith.edu. No refunds will be granted after that date.

Refund Policy for Professional Education Seminars and Webinars

A refund minus a $10 processing charge is only available if written notice of withdrawal or cancellation is received two weeks prior to the date of the course. Refund requests must be sent by email to sswpe@smith.edu. No refunds will be granted after that date.

Cancellation Policy

The Smith College School for Social Work reserves the right to cancel any program which is under enrolled. In the case of cancellation by the School, all tuition and registration fees paid will be reimbursed in full. 

Grievance Policy

Smith College School for Social Work will comply with all legal and ethical obligations related to nondiscrimination in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants. The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of the director of Professional Education in consultation with the members of the Professional Education committee and the deans of the School.

While SSW makes every attempt to assure fair treatment for all participants, and anticipate possible problems, there will be occasional issues that come to our attention that require intervention and/or action. The below procedure serves as the vehicle for addressing such grievances.

Questions, grievances and concerns related to Professional Education should be directed to the director of Professional Education at dirpe@smith.edu or 413.585.4198. These may relate to the course, the facilities, the number of CE contact hours awarded, or other any other issue related to the Professional Education program. The director of Professional Education will make every attempt to address the identified concerns.

If a satisfactory resolution is not achieved, the complainant is encouraged to document their concerns in writing. The written complaint should be sent to the attention of the director of Professional Education, Smith College School for Social Work, Lilly Hall, Northampton, MA 01063.

This written grievance will then be reviewed with the director of Professional Education, the dean of the School and the PE auxiliary committee who will determine a resolution. The director of Professional Education and the dean will provide a written response documenting the complaint/grievance and the involvement of the dean of the School and the auxiliary committee in the discussion and outcome of the issue. This outcome will be shared with the complainant within two weeks. The decision of the director of Professional Education and the dean of the School is final. No additional action will be taken.

Confidential records of all grievances, the process of resolving the grievance and the outcome will be kept in locked files of the director of Professional Education. These documents will be maintained for seven years.

Inclement Weather Policy

If Smith College is closed or opening late due to inclement weather, all seminars are CANCELLED. Registrants will be contacted regarding rescheduling arrangements. Information about foul weather can be found on smith.edu.  

Notice of Non-Discrimination

Smith College School for Social Work will not discriminate in its educational and employment policies on the bases of race, color, creed, religion, national/ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, age, disability, or service in the military or other uniformed services. The full non-discrimination policy can be found on smith.edu.