School Social Worker Certification Program
Curriculum
In addition to completing the basic requirements of the MSW Program, students in the School Social Work Licensure program must elect the Direct Practice concentration and the Children and Families specialized study area and take the additional coursework in the School and in the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH) listed below.
- SW8002 Child Mental Health
- SW8003 School Social Work in the Schools
- SPED 6001 (CECH) Individuals with Exceptionalities
- SPED 6002 (CECH) Engaging and Supporting Families with Members with Disabilities
- Either EDST 7001 (CECH) Politics of Education OR EDST 7021(CECH) Philosophy of Education
Field placements will be in public or chartered schools, where students will complete a minimum of 540 hours of supervised Direct Practice field experience. Student performance will be evaluated by both the standard MSW field evaluation and the Special School Social Work Field Evaluation Addendum.
Students are also required to develop comprehensive portfolios. The portfolios will contain seven standard-specific reflective summaries, as well as corresponding classroom and field placement materials that document the successful completion of the program’s requirements. This documentation includes specific course assignments, field evaluations, and grade reports. The portfolios are evaluated in a course taught by a school social worker during the student’s final semester of graduate study.
Students must attain certain minimum grades and field performance ratings to qualify for the school social work license. Background checks are required for field placement and for licensure. Students graduating with MSW degrees must also be a licensed social worker in their state of practice before applying for the school social worker license.