The Institute for Clinical Social Work, or ICSW, was established in 1981 to provide practicing clinical social workers and other psychotherapists the opportunity to earn a high-quality Ph.D. without taking a break from their professional pursuits. Located in the downtown Chicago, ICSW is the first and only accredited, independent school in the nation to offer a doctoral program in clinical social work. In 2007, ICSW introduced a comprehensive distance learning program that combines online coursework and occasional on-site workshops. ICSW launched a masters program in clinical counseling and psychotherapy in September, 2012. The ICSW community comprises more than 40 faculty members, 90 students, and 100 graduates.