Certificate in School Social Work - FAQs

Please visit the Pennsylvania Association of School Social Work Personnel FAQs from PDE regarding School Social Work Certification for information on applying for certification as a PA School Social Worker Educational Specialist.

Please visit the Pennsylvania Association of School Social Work Personnel resource page for information on applying for certification as a PA School Social Worker Educational Specialist.

Yes, the Certificate in School Social Work program at Kutztown University has been developed according to PDE certification standards and was approved to fulfill the educational requirements for certification as a Pennsylvania School Social Worker, Educational Specialist.

“After August 1, 2026, all persons employed as a School Social Worker must either 1) hold a valid, active Pennsylvania School Social Worker Educational Specialist certificate or 2) have an emergency permit, be a LSW or LCSW and be enrolled in a PDE-approved school social worker program.” (Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2021) https://www.education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/Staffing%20Guidelines/Pages/CSPG87.aspx

The program may be started during the summer, fall, winter or spring semesters.  Courses may be taken in any sequence; however, SOWK 586 or SOWK 583, should be taken last or concurrently with SOWK 590 Social Work Practice in Schools and SOWK 591 Meeting the Diverse Needs of Students with Exceptionalities.

Yes, during the application process choose Master of Social Work as the degree then add School Social Work on the certification section.

Yes, the certificate program is open to any student enrolled in a CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) accredited MSW (Master of Social Work) program as well as individuals who hold an MSW degree from an accredited social work program.  Please contact the Department of Social Work to assist in coordination of coursework.

“Individuals who are licensed as a LSW or LCSW in accordance with CSPG #201 or hold a PA Home and School Visitor certificate may apply for and receive a School Social Worker certificate if they satisfy the following requirements:

• Are currently licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of State as a LSW or LCSW;
• Are currently employed by a local educational agency (LEA) in the Commonwealth; and
• Have completed at least one year of satisfactory service as a School Social Worker or other titled position providing social work-related services in a Commonwealth LEA within the prior two years.

After August 1, 2026, all persons employed as a School Social Worker must either 1) hold a valid, active Pennsylvania School Social Worker Educational Specialist certificate or 2) have an emergency permit, be a LSW or LCSW and be enrolled in a PDE-approved school social worker program.” (Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2021) (https://www.education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/Staffing%20Guidelines/Pages/CSPG87.aspx )

Please refer to the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Center for Workforce Studies & Social Work Practice Occupational Profile for Social Workers in Schools https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=vvUJM-JNAEM%3D&portalid=0 for more information.

The Certificate in School Social Work may be completed in 16 credits.

KU MSW students may complete the certificate with as little as 7 credits in addition to their current MSW coursework and electives.  KU students may use SOWK 590 and SOWK 591 to complete the current 6 credit MSW program elective requirement.  In addition, KU MSW students who are completing the MSW program and Certificate in School Social Work program concurrently, will complete a field internship assignment in a school and develop a learning contract that requires the completion of competencies associated with SOWK 586 Practicum in School Social Work as a part of their SOWK 583 Advanced Field II course.

The Certificate in School Social Work may be completed in as little as one calendar year, longer for part-time students.

No. Instruction is offered in a hybrid format which includes both online course components and an in-person field experience.  The field experience may be completed at a school location near  you.

To enroll and complete the School Social Work Certificate students must either hold an MSW degree from a CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) accredited social work program or currently be enrolled in a CSWE accredited MSW (Master of Social Work) program.

In order to enroll and complete the School Social Work Certificate students must either hold a master's degree in social work from an accredited Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) program or an equivalent foreign qualification recognized by the CSWE Office of Social Work Accreditation (OSWA)*, or be currently enrolled in a CSWE accredited MSW program.  

 

No, the certificate program is open to any student enrolled in a CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) accredited MSW (Master of Social Work) program as well as individuals who hold a master's degree in social work from an accredited Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) program or an equivalent foreign qualification recognized by the CSWE Office of Social Work Accreditation (OSWA)*.

 

Course transfers will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Admission requirements for the Certificate in School Social Work program include:

• Application
• Interview (zoom or in person)
• Transcript from MSW degree program
• MSW degree from a CSWE accredited program*

               *The certificate may be completed concurrently with a CSWE accredited MSW program.

Yes, a field internship assignment in a school is a required part of the certificate program. 

*Courses may be taken in any sequence; however, SOWK 586 or SOWK 583, should be taken last or concurrently with SOWK 590 Social Work Practice in Schools and SOWK 591 Meeting the Diverse Needs of Students with Exceptionalities.

Suggested Certificate Coursework Sequence

SEMESTER	COURSE	CREDITS
SUMMER or FALL	EDUC 434 Instructional Methodology for English Learners  SPEE 516 Literacy Development & Instruction in Core &                   Intervention Areas Standards Aligned System	3   3
	Semester Total	6
WINTER	SOWK 541 Assessment Methods for Social Workers:                          Children and Adolescents	1
	Semester Total	1
SPRING	SOWK 586 Practicum in School Social Work* or                    SOWK 583 Advanced Field II**  SOWK 590 Social Work Practice in Schools***  SOWK 591 Meeting the Diverse Needs of Students with                     Exceptionalities***	0/3    0/3   0/3
	Semester Total	0/9
	CERTIFICATE TOTAL	7/16

**KU MSW students who are completing the MSW and School Social Work Certificate program concurrently, will complete a field internship assignment in a school.  They will develop a learning contract that requires the completion of competencies associated with SOWK 586 Practicum during their SOWK 583 Advanced Field II course. 

***KU MSW students may use SOWK 590 and SOWK 591 to complete current 6 credit MSW program elective requirements. 

Costs associated with the certificate are accessed on a per credit basis.  Please refer to the Tuition and Fees for Graduate Students page for more information.

Students who are entitled to reimbursement of tuition from employers may request an Employer Reimbursement Deferment (ERD).  For more information please visit: https://www.kutztown.edu/affordability/bills-and-paying-your-tuition/employer-reimbursement-deferments.html