School of Social Work

Graduate Certificate in School Social Work

Youth across the U.S. are facing a mental health crisis. Nearly 40% of adolescents report feeling sad or hopeless, and more than 1 in 5 have considered suicide. In response, 95% of public school principals say they’re concerned about student mental health — yet only half of children with mental health needs can access treatment, and only 56% of schools feel equipped to support them. The Mizzou Graduate Certificate in School Social Work is designed to prepare social workers to meet this urgent need.

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Training social workers to respond to the youth mental health crisis

Schools are often the first — and sometimes only — place where young people can access mental health services. Through the Graduate Certificate in School Social Work, you’ll gain the specialized skills to support students directly in the school setting, where your impact can be immediate and lasting.

This graduate certificate focuses on social work skills and interventions across micro, mezzo, and macro practice in alignment with the National School Social Work Practice Model, the National Association of Social Work’s school social work practice standards,  and typical state-based Department of Education requirements. It is designed for professional social workers who are seeking additional expertise in school social work and MSW students who seek to specialize in this area.

Whether you’re looking to expand your career opportunities or make a difference in the lives of youth, this certificate empowers you to be part of the solution.

Program objectives

The Graduate Certificate in School Social Work equips you with the specialized knowledge and practical skills needed to support students in PK–12 educational settings. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum, you’ll explore how federal and state education and special education policies shape the school environment — and how social workers can be powerful advocates within it.

You’ll gain a strong foundation in the National School Social Work Practice Model 2.0, understand certification pathways in Missouri and neighboring states, and be prepared to pursue Department of Education endorsements in school social work.

By completing this certificate, you will:

Understand and practice consistent with state and federal educational laws as well as the national NASW Social Work Code of Ethics and NASW’s Standards for SSW Services relative to SSW practice and issues of privacy, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and informed consent when working in a school setting.

  • Gain knowledge of the historical context and modern role of School Social Workers in the United States.
  • Be knowledgeable about the coordination and implementation of intervention support within the context of MTSS and have skills in the area of interdisciplinary collaboration and leadership.
  • Engage in practice activities including licensure-appropriate skills, school improvement, advocacy, foster educational access for all students, and conduct practice research.
  • Identify and develop skills in each of the four primary focus areas of School Social Work practice: Academics, School Climate, Social and Emotional, and Mental Health.
  • Utilize evidence-informed approaches to practice across home, school, and community contexts.

Program eligibility

This certificate program may be completed by currently practicing social workers with a MSW degree. It may also be completed concurrently with an MSW degree at any accredited program. Current MSW students are expected to complete the certificate without extending their program timeline.

Currently enrolled Mizzou MSW students should contact Crystal Null for application information.

Professionals with an MSW degree may apply online or email the program director, Dr. Tasha Childs, for more information.

Curriculum

The Graduate Certificate in School Social Work consists of 21 credit hours that may be completed in tandem with an MSW degree. Individuals who have already completed an MSW degree and have school-based experience may complete the program in 9 credit hours.

These requirements include 3 courses (SOC_WK 8020: Social Work in Schools, SOC_WK 7820: DSM and Psychopathology: A Social Work Perspective, and 1 approved school-specific elective) and a full-time advanced practicum experience (SOC_WK 8971) in a preschool through twelfth grade school setting.

Courses are available in-person, and some are also available online.If you would like to propose a substitution for one of these courses, please contact the Director with the course number, course name, and the course description. These requests will be taken into consideration and you will be notified with a decision of your request.

Please note that the semester in which courses are offered and the method of delivery (i.e. class type) can frequently change. Please consult the current degree offerings at MU to verify that a particular course will be offered when you aim to enroll. You may also contact the certificate program director, Dr. Tasha Childs, tchilds@health.missouri.edu, if you have questions about course offerings.

Admission and application

The Graduate Certificate in School Social Work application requires unofficial MSW transcripts and a 500-word statement of interest.

Currently enrolled Mizzou MSW students should contact Crystal Null for application information.

Professionals who have already completed an MSW degree may email Dr. Tasha Childs for application information.