School of Social Work

School Social Work

School social work is a specialized field of practice where social workers provide support to children to help them achieve their goals. School social workers assess for learning barriers and equip the child and their family to advocate for support. With specific training in systems theory, special education law, and school law, school social workers help schools to draw connections between human development, education, justice, mental health and families.

Western Michigan’s MSW program fulfills the educational component of the state requirements for certification as a school social worker. More information can be found by visiting the Michigan Department of Education's Becoming a School Social Worker page.

View the preliminary approval process.

View information about MDE Certification vs. LARA Licensure.

For more information on the School Social Work Certification, please contact Karla Vandenberg, School Social Work Program Coordinator via email at karla.vandenberg@wmich.edu

Certification Process

The following steps detail how to become certified as a Professional School Social Worker in the state of Michigan. If you want to become certified in another state, please contact that state’s licensing board.

Current WMU MSW students who have declared School Social Work as their specialization:

  • Master’s degree in social work from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program;
  • Valid social worker license (LLMSW or LMSW) issued by Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs;
  • Completion of an MDE-approved school social worker preparation program; Completion of school social work courses SWRK 6200, SWRK 6210, SWRK 6220 (grade "B" or better)
  • 500 clock hours of direct social work practice with children and/or youth, supervised by a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), which may be earned via a field practicum or internship during the master’s degree program. 

Once you have completed the above requirements, you should apply for a Preliminary School Social Worker Certificate via the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS). If you do not already have an account with MOECS, you will need to create one by selecting "Login Assistance" on the right side of the page.

The Preliminary School Social Worker Certificate is valid for three (3) years. 

After completing one full academic year as a school social worker, you should apply for a Professional School Social Worker Certificate (PSWC) via the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS). This is the most advanced credential offered for individuals serving in the role of a school social worker.

This certificate is valid for 5 years and may be issued to applicants who:

  1. Hold a valid LMSW issued by the department of licensing and regulatory affairs,
  2. Completed an approved school social worker preparation program, AND either
    1. held a valid preliminary school social worker certificate issued under the current certification rules while under the supervision of an individual holding a valid professional school social worker certificate issued under these rules or a valid full approval under former R 340.1012      OR
    2. worked under a valid school social worker permit issued under R 340.1009 while under the supervision of an individual holding a valid professional school social worker certificate issued under these rules or a valid full approval under former R 340.1012
  3. Completed 1 full school year as a school social worker providing social work services to students with disabilities whose individualized education programs required those services.

WMU MSW Alumni who have completed a post-MSW school social work prep program:

  • Master’s degree in social work from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program,
  • Valid social worker license (LLMSW or LMSW) issued by Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs,
  • Completion of an MDE-approved school social worker preparation program; Completion of school social work post-MSW Continuing Education courses (Policy, Assessment, and Intervention), and
  • 500 clock hours of direct social work practice with children and/or youth, supervised by either a LMSW Professional School Social Worker or a valid Fully Approved School Social Worker while they provided social work services to students with disabilities whose individualized education program (IEP) required those services, which may be earned via a post-master’s degree practicum or via work experience. 

Once you have completed the above requirements, you should apply for a Preliminary School Social Worker Certificate via the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS). If you do not already have an account with MOECS, you will need to create one by selecting "Login Assistance" on the right side of the page.

The Preliminary School Social Worker Certificate is valid for three (3) years.

After completing one full academic year as a school social worker, you should apply for a Professional School Social Worker Certificate (PSWC) via the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS). This is the most advanced credential offered for individuals serving in the role of a school social worker.

This certificate is valid for 5 years and may be issued to applicants who:

  1. Hold a valid LMSW issued by the department of licensing and regulatory affairs,
  2. Completed an approved school social worker preparation program, AND either
    1. held a valid preliminary school social worker certificate issued under the current certification rules while under the supervision of an individual holding a valid professional school social worker certificate issued under these rules or a valid full approval under former R 340.1012      OR
    2. worked under a valid school social worker permit issued under R 340.1009 while under the supervision of an individual holding a valid professional school social worker certificate issued under these rules or a valid full approval under former R 340.1012
  3. Completed 1 full school year as a school social worker providing social work services to students with disabilities whose individualized education programs required those services.

Out-of-state school social workers

This credential is an interim certification for applicants who hold an earned Master of Social Work degree or its equivalent or higher from an accredited college or university recognized by the Council for Higher Education (CHEA) or U.S. Department of Education (USDE) in a state other than Michigan.

This certificate may be issued to applicants who:

  • Completed an approved out-of-state school social worker preparation program including a minimum of a 500-clock-hour supervised social worker practice that supports state standards, and
  • Holds a valid Limited Master’s Social Worker License (LLMSW) or valid Master’s Social Worker License (LMSW) issued by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

If you meet these requirements, apply for a Preliminary School Social Worker Certificate following the instructions detailed in Step 2 under Current WMU MSW Students who have declared School Social Work as their specialization.

The Professional School Social Worker Certificate (PSWC) is the most advanced credential offered for individuals serving in the role of a school social worker.

This certificate is valid for 5 years and may be issued to applicants who:

  • Completed an approved out-of-state school social worker preparation program or its equivalent,
  • Holds a valid Licensed Master Social Work (LMSW) credential issued by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA),
  • Hold valid out-of-state certification equivalent to a Professional School Social Worker Certificate, and
  • Have completed one (1) full school year as a social worker in a school setting providing social work services to students with disabilities whose IEP required those services under the supervision of an individual holding a valid Professional School Social Worker Certificate or a valid School Social Worker Full Approval.

Individuals who do not hold a valid LMSW issued by LARA will be considered for a Preliminary School Social Worker Certificate and can apply for a Professional School Social Worker Certificate after earning a valid LMSW from LARA.

If you meet these requirements, apply for a Professional School Social Worker Certificate following the instructions detailed in Step 3 under Current WMU MSW Students who have declared School Social Work as their specialization.

School social worker permit

If a school district is unable to employ a certified school social worker, the district may employ for a limited time a licensed master’s level social worker to act in the capacity of a school social worker by obtaining a School Social Worker Permit. Permit requirements are found below. Permits are applied for and granted to an employing school district. They are not portable between schools and are not held by an individual. There is no printable paper authorization. School districts may verify that a permit has been issued either through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) or the public verification site.

The following pieces of documentation may be required. 

  • College or university transcripts providing evidence a MSW degree (or its equivalent) is held;
  • A valid LLMSW or valid LMSW issued by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA);
  • Proof of enrollment in an approved school social worker preparation program.

The documentation should be submitted directly to the hiring district.

The School Social Worker Permit can be renewed one time if the following conditions are met:

  • Demonstrated progress toward completion of an approved school social worker program -or- holds a valid or expired Preliminary School Social Worker Permit;
  • Holds a valid LLMSW or LMSW issued by LARA; and
  • While under the supervision of an individual holding a valid Professional School Social Worker Certificate or a valid full approval, the individual provides social work services to those students with a valid Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) requiring those services.