HISTORY

The Clinical Social Work Institute is the first independent graduate school on the East Coast of the United States to grant a Ph.D. in clinical social work. The impetus for establishing the Institute came as a response to the need of social work practitioners who wished to pursue their graduate education in a concentrated clinical doctoral program. In 1987 a group of senior social workers in the Washington, D.C. area formed the Task Force to establish the Institute. Opening its doors in 1999, the Institute has continued to maintain its unique place in clinical social work education.

VISION

Our vision for the acquisition of advanced clinical social work knowledge and skills includes a doctoral program that: is embedded in the traditions of the academic excellence in higher education; has an innovative, unique practice-based curriculum that integrates the latest available biopsychosocial information through classroom and practice experiences; promotes scientific inquiry; values diversity in all aspects of its program; and, promotes the concept of “giving back” to the profession and the community.

MISSION

The mission is to produce doctoral level clinical social work scholar practitioners who are highly skilled in working with diverse populations in a variety of settings.  Graduates will assume leadership roles and promote excellence in clinical social work practice, education, and research.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

The Institute’s program is designed for working students and those who travel long distances. It is a four year course of study with classes meeting every other weekend on Fridays and Saturdays. The Institute’s program has a biopsychosocial orientation and is the first degree-granting institution in social work education with neuroscience as an integral part of its program. Furthermore, it is among a handful of clinical social work doctoral programs in the country with particular emphasis on and integration of practicum in its curriculum. Cultural competency and clinical social work values and ethics regarding social justice issues are among the Institute’s organizing principles.

STUDENTS AND FACULTY

The Institute’s students are a diverse, talented and committed group of clinical social workers, who come from the local community as well as distant states. The  faculty is comprised of a group of dedicated and highly skilled professionals committed to the promotion of excellence in clinical social work education. All class room faculty have doctoral degrees; the clinical faculty with various clinical expertise have extensive post-graduate training.

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

The Institute’s mission and clinical social work profession’s values frame its contributions to the community. These activities include continuing education offerings and connection with local community agencies. 

FEDERAL AND STATE APPROVAL

The Clinical Social Work Institute, Inc., was incorporated in April 1989 under the District of Columbia Not-for-Profit Corporation Act. The Institute was approved by the Internal Revenue Service for Tax Exempt status (501(c)(3) in June 2000 and is eligible and for tax-deductible contributions from private foundations, corporations, and individuals. The District of  Columbia Education Licensure Commission, on April 16, 1998, granted its  license.

 FUNDING AND DEVELOPMENT

Since 1987, donors and volunteers have backed their belief in our mission with over 500 contributions of time and money. As with other institutions, there is a continuing need for endowment funds to accomplish our mission. 
The primary goal of our Capital Campaign is to ensure the financial stability of the Institute and ability to fulfill the requirements of the following:
1- Re-licensure by the Education Licensure Commission of the District of Columbia in the Spring of 2007; 2- Continuation of the application process for accreditation with the Middle States Commission of Higher Education; and
3- Ongoing operational support.

For further information, please contact us at:

The Clinical Social Work Institute
5028 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Suite 404
Washington, D.C. 20016
Phone: 202-237-1202
Fax: 202-364-0435
Email: CSWI@mindspring.com