Points of interest…
- CSWE 2026 runs October 22-25 at Atlanta Marriott Marquis.
- Student members pay less; early-bird registration ends September 4, 2026.
- No-RSVP Oct. 23 reception offers free networking at Skyline North.
MSW students face two CSWE 2026 planning modes: show up with a targeted session plan, or pay walk-in rates. The 72nd CSWE Annual Program Meeting runs Oct. 22-25 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, drawing more than 2,500 educators as the largest U.S. social work education gathering. Boston University School of Social Work's announcement confirms a free Oct. 23 reception with no RSVP and several sessions tied to MSW career paths.1 Early-bird registration closes Sept. 4, and Atlanta hotel inventory tightens quickly. The call is not whether to attend, but whether you lock in student pricing and a session shortlist aligned with MSW program evaluation criteria before deadlines.
CSWE 2026 Keynote Speakers, Theme, and Schedule Highlights
CSWE's 72nd Annual Program Meeting runs October 22-25, 2026 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The official theme, "Rooted in Resilience: Honoring the Past, Grounding the Present," signals that social work education is being asked to hold onto its historical commitments while adapting to current workforce, equity, and curriculum pressures.
Confirmed featured sessions include:
- Opening Plenary: Francisco Cantú, author of The Line Becomes A River, Thursday, October 22, 6:15-7:30 PM. CSWE frames it as the conference kickoff.
- Carl A. Scott Memorial Lecture: Dr. Jerome H. Schiele of Morgan State University, Friday, October 23, 8:45-10:15 AM, sponsored by Howard University School of Social Work.
- Futures of Social Work Plenary: Roberta "Bobbi" Cordano, president of Gallaudet University, Sunday, October 25, 8:30-9:30 AM, sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work.
- Hokenstad International Lecture: Vjollca Krasniqi of the University of Prishtina, Kosovo. The available schedule excerpt does not yet list its date, time, or specific topic.
To build a personal agenda, check CSWE's 2026 Annual Conference event page for the day-by-day schedule. Full scheduling features open to registered attendees in September 2026 on Eventscribe. Prioritize sessions that map to where you are in your first year of an MSW program and career stage, such as MSW field placement preparation, group work, or recruitment trends, rather than trying to cover the entire program.
What a Student Should Budget: CSWE 2026 Registration Fees by Category
The biggest cost swing for students is the gap between student member rates and faculty or non-member rates, so it pays to confirm your CSWE membership status before registering. Early-bird pricing ends September 4, 2026, and regular rates apply from September 5, 2026. The figures below, based on CSWE's official registration page, should be verified before booking, as fees and add-on availability can change.
| Registration Category | Early Rate | Regular Rate | Notes / Add-Ons |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSWE Member: Undergraduate or Graduate Student | $175 | $225 | Student Summit $25 separate; add a pre-conference institute for $295 |
| CSWE Member: Doctoral or Post-Doctoral Student | $175 | $225 | Student Summit $25 separate; add a pre-conference institute for $295 |
| CSWE Member: Faculty, Administrators, and Individuals | $700 | $950 | Pre-conference institutes $295 each |
| Pre-Conference Institute: Center for Diversity | $295 | N/A | Separate registration required; add when registering for conference |
| Pre-Conference Institute: AI and Technology in Social Work Education | N/A | $295 | Separate registration required; add when registering for conference |
| Pre-Conference Institute: Field Education | $295 | N/A | Separate registration required; add when registering for conference |
| Student Summit | N/A | $25 | Separate registration required; add when registering for conference |
Hotel, Getting to Atlanta, and Other Costs Beyond the Ticket
Lodging and getting to Atlanta can match or exceed your registration cost if you don't plan around the conference's housing realities. CSWE's 2026 APM runs October 22-25 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, and the official housing window has already shaped what's left for last-minute attendees.
Conference Hotel and the Room-Block Deadline
CSWE arranged reduced-rate rooms through Convention Management Resources (CMR) on a first-come, first-served basis, but the official deadline for Marriott Marquis reservations was September 29, 2026. Reservations required a one-night room-and-tax deposit, charged after October 1. Cancellations needed at least 72 hours' notice to avoid a one-night penalty. If you are booking now, contact the hotel directly for current availability, and ignore any unsolicited "conference housing" calls. CSWE says CMR was the only authorized housing company.
Getting from ATL to Downtown Atlanta
MARTA is the most direct budget option, according to the Osacic Connected Travel Information page. Take the Red or Gold line northbound from Hartsfield-Jackson to Peachtree Center Station, then walk to the Marriott Marquis. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft also serve the airport from designated pickup areas. The hotel does not advertise a free airport shuttle, so don't budget around one.
Keeping the Total Manageable
Split a room, stay at an off-block hotel near a MARTA station, and plan simple meals instead of relying on hotel dining. If you need accessibility accommodations, request them through CSWE as early as possible, typically at least four weeks before the event.
A Rough All-In Budget Framework
Plan four buckets, registration, lodging, travel, and food, with a Social Worker Budget. Add a small buffer for rideshares and incidental costs rather than relying on an exact total that will vary by room type, booking date, and distance from the venue.
Sessions Worth Targeting if You're in an MSW Program
The sessions below prioritize direct relevance to MSW students, from practicum supervision and trauma-informed clinical skills to group work, recruitment, and artificial intelligence. Use the day, time, and room details to plan your schedule; where the official program does not list a time or room, that gap is noted rather than estimated.
| Session Topic | Presenter(s) | Day / Time / Room | Why It Matters for MSW Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parallel Process in Practicum Education: Trauma-Informed Strategies for Building Resilience | Kanako Okuda, Assistant Dean, Practicum Education and Clinical Associate Professor, Boston University School of Social Work | Sunday, October 25, 2026; 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; International C | Directly connects practicum education with trauma-informed strategies and resilience, helping students preparing for field placement and clinical practice. |
| CSWE Group Work Track Meeting | Donna M. McLaughlin, Clinical Professor and Group Work Coordinator, Boston University School of Social Work (chair) | Friday, October 23, 2026; 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; L504 | Builds group-work education and professional connections, relevant for students planning clinical group facilitation or group-based interventions. |
| Generational Communication and Change in Social Work Graduate Recruitment | Kyle R. MacDonald, Assistant Dean for Enrollment Services, Boston University School of Social Work | Day, time, and room not listed in the provided schedule | Addresses how MSW programs recruit and communicate across generations, useful for prospective applicants evaluating program fit and admissions messaging. |
| Anti-DEI Policy's Impact on Practicum Education | Ashley Davis, Clinical Associate Professor, Boston University School of Social Work; Rebecca Mirick, Associate Professor, Salem State University | Day, time, and room not listed in the provided schedule | Examines how anti-DEI policies affect practicum education, a core concern for students entering field placements and navigating equity in supervision. |
| Exploring Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence: Finding Balance for People and the Planet | Natalie M. Moore-Bembry, EdD, MSW, LCSW; Mariann Bischoff, MS, MSW, LCSW | Date not shown in the available schedule; 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.; M102 | Offers a framework for weighing AI benefits and risks in social work education, practice, and professional ethics, relevant as AI expands in clinical settings. |
| Field Education Institute | Not listed in the available detail | 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; room not listed | Field education is central to MSW practicum preparation and professional competency development; this all-day institute provides concentrated field education programming. |
| When Does the Line Break? Tensions Between Gatekeeping and Disability Justice in Field Education | Alicia D. Melnick, DSW, Malone University; Melvin C. Cherry, Jr., EdD, University of Pittsburgh | Thursday, October 22, 2026; 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.; Marquis Ballroom Salon B | Addresses field-education gatekeeping and disability justice, issues that can affect MSW placement access, evaluation, and professional development. |
| Rooted in Resilience: Trauma-Informed, Compassionate Pedagogy with Incarcerated Women | Sarah K. Sloan; Joan Asseff | Friday, October 23, 2026; 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; International A | Applies trauma-informed and compassionate approaches to work with incarcerated women, supporting preparation for behavioral-health, corrections, and community practice. |
Major Themes and Curriculum Signals: EPAS, AI, and Anti-DEI Pressures
Draft 1 of CSWE's 2029 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) opened for public comment on October 13, 2026, with a November 20, 2026 deadline.
EPAS 2029 and Accreditation Updates
At the 2026 APM, sessions and roundtables point to several accreditation changes. The draft updates ADEI language so effective practice requires understanding people within the personal, institutional, and systemic contexts that shape their experiences. It also asks programs to include graduating student feedback in evaluation and improvement, and to ensure MSW field placements stay high quality despite changing practice conditions and student demographics. MSW students can submit comments through November 20 to influence the standards that will shape future practicum and classroom requirements.
AI and Technology in Social Work Education
A CSWE technology task force convened in 2024 recommended that the 2029 EPAS define digital competencies for social work practice clearly, either as a dedicated competency or integrated throughout the curriculum, including digital literacy, AI ethics, and responsible use. While Draft 1 does not establish a separate AI competency, 2026 conference programming highlights blended and hybrid learning, interactive video, and online media for education and practice. What this means for you: expect more technology-rich field assignments and supervisory discussion about AI use before final standards are adopted.
Anti-DEI Pressures on Practicum and Supervision
Several 2026 sessions address how state-level anti-DEI policies affect practicum education, alongside parallel process and trauma-informed resilience strategies in field supervision. This points to a field climate that may vary sharply by state policy. What this means for you: students and educators in restrictive environments should prepare for clearer placement documentation and stronger trauma-informed supervisory supports.
Where to Network: The Free Oct. 23 Reception, Booth 612, and MFP Events
For MSW students seeking MSW student networking tips, the easiest entry point at CSWE 2026 is the free reception co-hosted by Boston University, Simmons University, Smith College, and the University of Connecticut.1 No RSVP is required for this Friday, Oct. 23 event, which starts at 7:00 pm on the 10th floor of the Marriott Marquis Atlanta in Skyline North at 265 Peachtree Center Ave. NE. It is deliberately low-barrier, so you can walk in, grab a conversation, and leave when you need to.
Booth 612 and MFP Events
Stop by Boston University at Booth 612 for a quieter one-on-one conversation about MSW, dual-degree, DSW, or PhD pathways. BU is also sponsoring the CSWE Minority Fellowship Program events at the conference, which can connect you to funded doctoral and research mentorship opportunities in social work education.1
Set Three Networking Goals
- Dual-degree and doctoral questions: Ask faculty or admissions staff about BU's Social Work & Education dual degree or doctoral funding timelines.
- Practicum leads: Talk with BU's practicum education team about field placement models and supervision expectations.
- Faculty introductions: Use the reception to meet faculty whose session topics align with your interests, then ask a specific follow-up question.
If you are introverted, try this opener: "I noticed your session on practicum resilience, and I'm curious how students can apply that before their first field placement." It shifts the pressure from small talk to a genuine question.
How to Choose Among Simultaneous Sessions: A Priority Guide by Career Stage
Time conflicts at CSWE 2026 are best resolved by picking the session most likely to share slides or handouts later, then using that slot to attend something live-only such as a small discussion, practicum roundtable, or the Friday reception. This guide sorts choices by where you are in the MSW pipeline.
| Career stage | Top priorities | Favor these session types | Consider skipping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-practicum MSW student | Clarify placement expectations, build supervision vocabulary, and meet faculty or current students. | Practicum education sessions on parallel process and trauma-informed resilience, group work education, and student services advocacy or collective care. | Advanced clinical specialization or administrative leadership sessions unless the topic maps directly to a first field placement. |
| Graduating MSW student | Turn contacts into job leads, compare licensure and supervision options, and decide between clinical and macro paths. | Clinical and anti-racist practice sessions, maternal or community mental health access topics, and MSW recruitment sessions if a doctoral or dual degree is on the table. | Introductory pre-practicum orientation content and sessions that do not address hiring, licensure, or post-MSW placement. |
| Practicing clinician | Earn continuing education, sharpen advanced frameworks, and build leadership or teaching networks. | Anti-DEI policy impact, healing-centered leadership, age discrimination and work stress, and the group work track meeting. | Student services or recruitment sessions unless you supervise practicum students or plan to teach. |
Related Articles
Can't Go? Virtual Options, Recordings, and Ways to Cut Costs
If you cannot travel to Atlanta Marriott Marquis for the CSWE 2026 Annual Program Meeting, plan around the fact that CSWE's published materials describe an in-person event with no confirmed virtual attendance, livestream, or on-demand recording option as of this writing. Plan accordingly rather than expecting to watch sessions after the fact.
The Student Volunteer Path
The clearest documented way to reduce the cost of attending in person is the CSWE Student Volunteer Program, one of the more structured social work volunteer opportunities for students. Full-time or part-time students can work one 4-hour daytime shift Thursday through Sunday and receive full conference registration for $50 after completing the shift. Duties include information desk support, mobile app assistance, event assistance, room monitoring, and participant support. Apply by emailing [email protected] with your name, preferred day and time slot, and enrollment verification. Benefits include a volunteer T-shirt, certificate, and social media recognition. The Student Summit sponsored by NYU Silver is a pre-conference event, but no scholarship or travel award details are listed in CSWE's 2026 materials.
Free Ways to Follow Along
If volunteering is not feasible, follow the conference hashtag and presenter slides after the event. Many schools like BUSSW host faculty debriefs, and regional social work conferences in 2026 can offer similar networking for social work students at lower cost. Check with your MSW program about local or virtual options.
How to Get Involved in Future CSWE Events, Including 2026
The real tradeoff for graduate students is time versus momentum: you can wait until the 2027 call for proposals opens, or you can build your CSWE involvement now through lower-lift entry points.
Get a Proposal or Poster Into the 2027 APM
CSWE's 2027 Annual Program Meeting runs October 21-24, 2027, in Long Beach, California. As of this October, the 2027 call for proposals, submission opening date, and poster deadline have not been published, so do not plan around older deadlines. When the call opens, expect to submit through the CSWE Submittable portal, which requires a free Submittable account rather than your CSWE membership login. Drafts can be saved, and proposals in tracks such as Spanish-Language Presentation and Teaching Methods and Learning Styles go through the same review criteria.
Other Ways In Without Waiting
While proposal deadlines are pending, join CSWE as a student member, watch for student leadership or committee openings, and explore the Minority Fellowship Program. Our CSWE Minority Fellowship Program guide and our How to Publish as a DSW Student article outline those longer-term pathways, especially for students weighing doctoral or leadership moves.
