Graduate Certificate in
School Social Work
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PROGRAM DETAILS
- UK Online
- All Programs
- Graduate Certificates
- School Social Work
About this Program
Expand your knowledge and skills to apply social work principles in a school setting to benefit children and families. The fully online School Social Work Certificate prepares candidates for the unique skill set required to provide social work services in school settings.
Designed For
This program is ideal those looking to specialize in supporting the social-emotional development and well-being of students within educational settings. They are dedicated to promoting inclusivity, addressing behavioral challenges, and collaborating with educators and families to create supportive environments that enhance student success.
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What You’ll Learn
This professional program provides a didactic foundation of social work knowledge in combination with the experiential integration, application, and implementation of skills in a school setting consisting of 500-600 hours in a school based social work setting. Students acquire strong clinical skills while simultaneously learning assessment, intervention, community engagement and resources, and the role of the social worker in the school setting.
Focus Areas:
- School social work roles and responsibilities, both with the school system and the community
- Providing leadership in school social work practice
- Current legal and social policy issues that affect the school community and school social work practices
Course Examples
- SW 704 Mental Health Intervention with Children and Adolescents
- SW 616 School Social Work
- Practicum courses SW 740 and SW 741 will be completed in a school setting
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from UK Online to discuss your online learning options.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
Graduate and Postgraduate students who are planning to pursue a Kentucky school social work certification through EPSB will need to contact Janet Doss, janet.doss@uky.edu, School Social Work Coordinator because there are additional requirements.
- Must have obtained a baccalaureate degree, prior to the start of the admission term, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
- An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work, if applicable.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
Application Requirements
- Official transcripts
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2025
Spring 2025
Why UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
Do I need to have a master's degree to enroll in this graduate certificate?
The only degree needed to enroll in a graduate certificate program is a bachelor's degree.
Can I take this graduate certificate by itself?
Yes, graduate certificates can be taken by themselves. Our graduate certificate programs are designed to allow students to gain very specific skills and knowledge in a shorter amount of time than our degree programs in similar areas. Certificate programs can be useful to your career by itself, or when coupled with a degree-bearing program. This choice is completely up to the student.
What is the admission criteria?
Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.
Tuition
Is financial aid available if this is the only program I enroll in?
Federal financial aid is not available to students who only enroll in a certificate program.
How much does the online program cost?
The tuition rate for this program is listed at the top of this page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the program representative.
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully-online programs, it does not matter what state you live in. The rate is the same no matter where you live.
Online Learning
Will I have to attend class at a specific time?
No, all classes are asynchronous. This means that students complete the course requirements according to the syllabus and deadlines, but they have flexibility within their own schedule to complete coursework at times that work best for their schedule. We recommend students log in everyday to ensure they are staying on top of communication and assignments.
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there is no on-campus requirement.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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