School Social Work Certificate

The purpose of the program is to prepare school social workers who meet the requirements for CSPG 87 School Social Worker, Educational Specialist Certificate PK-12. The School Social Worker, who is required to have a Master’s degree in social work (MSW), provides schools with the knowledge and competence required to provide school social work services for all students in grades PK-12 with a focus on preventative and/or problem-solving tools.

The Department of Social Work at Shippensburg University is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to offer the Post-Master’s School Social Work certification. The School Social Work certification is designed to prepare social work students with the required knowledge, skills, and expertise to “support the academic, career and personal-social development needs” of diverse, vulnerable, and at-risk PreK-12 students and their families.

Governor Wolf’s Reach Out PA initiative (2020) specifically identified that “School social workers play a unique role in addressing mental health by providing holistic services and supports in the school setting, such as crisis management, mental-health treatment, and engaging the school, family and community in enhancing existing student-support structures that ensure the success of all students” (para. 10). In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the School Social Work certification is required by school districts.

Upon completion of the required coursework, the Workforce Development Office at Shippensburg University will assist eligible candidates with the Pennsylvania certification process and provide recommendations for the Post Master’s School Social Work certification. See Workforce Development Office page for more details.