School Social Worker Approval
School Social Worker Training Coursework
Since fall 2020, the WMU School of Social Work offers all three required school social work training courses as continuing education credit classes for professionals who have already completed their MSW.
Register for School Social worker CE
If you are a MSW student interested in obtaining school social worker approval in the State of Michigan, you should take the three required school social work training courses (SWRK 6200, SWRK 6210 and SWRK 6220) as your nine elective credits. Completing these courses is just one part of the approval process.
School Social Worker Approval Process
The school social work program helps WMU students and graduates meet Michigan Department of Education criteria for certification as school social workers. The criteria for eligibility are:
A completed MSW degree
Successful completion (grade of “B” or better) of at least one direct clinical practice course (SWRK 6360, 6660 or 6680)
Successful completion (grade of "B" or better) of additional courses:
- Policies and Standards in School Social Work (SWRK 6200)
- Assessment for School Social Workers (SWRK 6210)
- Interventions for School Social Workers (SWRK 6220)
Written proof from the appropriate WMU field coordinator stating you have completed 500 hours of field education working primarily with children and families. The 500 hours can be completed at one internship site or at multiple sites, as long as the primary duties working with children and families is consistent. You may also use equivalent experience (defined below) detailed on letterhead from the appropriate agency and signed by your supervisor.
Work (paid or unpaid) in a setting serving children or adolescents and their families, with supervision by a social worker with a LMSW license, for 400 hours. The supervisor must provide a letter of recommendation attesting to your satisfactory work with this client population.
At least two years of post-masters work in the field, with at least 300 documented hours of supervised work experience with children and families.
Five or more years of post-masters social work experience including 150 hours of supervised experience with children and families, and 150 documented hours of work with children, regardless of setting (e.g. parent volunteer, youth group leader/volunteer, recreation work like coaching).
Work as a public-school teacher or paraprofessional may substitute for some of the required work experience.
While you may use equivalent experience, field experience in a school setting is preferred.
Upon completion of these requirements, you must complete the formal application and provide verification of completed requirements to the school social work coordinator. After the application is received, you will be issued a school social work certification form (REC: SSW-310) certifying that you are eligible for “Temporary Approval as a School Social Worker.” You will bring this certification to prospective employers when applying for school social work positions. That temporary approval is valid for five years. If you do not secure employment as a school social worker within five years, you must take a refresher course and reapply for temporary approval.
Once employed in a school system, the school district will send the school social work certification form (REC: SSW-310) to the State Department of Education along with verification of employment. Temporary approvals are not granted until you have gained employment as a school social worker in a Michigan public school. You will be granted final school social work approval after the completion of one school year of full-time employment as a school social worker. Employment must be supervised by an approved school social worker. Ongoing approvals are arranged by the employing school system with the Michigan State Board of Education.
If you are interested in pursuing school social work, contact the School of Social Work office (269) 387-3180.