Program Description
Requirements
Course Requirements
Required Field Work
Contact Information
Job Opportunities
Home and School Visitor Program Updates
Professional Organizations
Other Resources
Program Description
Since the 1930’s, the School of Social Work has offered a DP Home and School Visitor certificate. The program was started by pioneering social work practitioner and educator Marion Hathway. The H&SV is an interprofessional Educational Specialist certificate, operated jointly with University of Pittsburgh School of Education and by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, intended for students who plan to deliver social work services in elementary or secondary schools. There are three models for certification:
- Certification earned while earning the MSW
- Certification earned post-MSW
- Certification earned without an MSW
The DP H&SV certificate program is designed to enhance professional competency in the development and delivery of high quality social work services to diverse student populations in both public and private elementary and secondary schools. The certificate program is organized around the Direct Practice specialization and offers students the opportunity to gain advanced knowledge and skills via courses taken in the Schools of Social Work and Education and a field placement in an educational setting.
Requirements
Certification earned while gaining the MSW
MSW students must indicate their interest in obtaining the DP H&SV certificate in their application for admissions to the MSW Program. Advanced Standing students should contact the H&SV Director and complete the Certificate Declaration of Intent Form (see below) during the summer registration period before their first fall semester in the MSW Program. MSW students who do not have advanced standing will complete a Declaration of Intent during their first semester of enrollment. In order to satisfy the certification requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education as well as the Master’s Degree in Social Work, students will have to complete 66 credits which may necessitate registering for courses during the Summer Term.
Course of Study Recommendation for DP Home & School Visitor Certificate (Full-Time Students Without Advanced Standing [48 Class and 18 Field Credits Required])
Certification earned post-MSW or Certification earned without an MSW
For those seeking the DP HSV certificate post-MSW, or earned without an MSW, the Home & School Visitor application must be completed & then submitted to the director of HSV to be accepted into the program.
The course of study for DP HSV certificate for those seeking the Certification earned post-MSW or Certification earned without an MSW.
PA State Credential
After coursework & LSW/LCSW for social workers or the Praxis exam for non-social workers has been successfully completed, the PDE checklist with supporting documents is submitted the HSV Director to receive PA state credential,
View the School of Social Work/Pennsylvania Department of Education Certification Checklist.
Certificate Declaration of Intent Form
Course Requirements
MSW students must complete the courses listed.
Post Graduate students returning with or without an MSW must complete the courses listed here.
Required Field Work
The student's concentration field placement (12 credit hours - 720 clock hours) must be in an approved school setting.
Contact Information
For further information, please contact:
Professor Deborah Robinson, MSW, LSW
Field Assistant Professor
Director of the Home & School Visitor Program
University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work
(412) 624- 3844
dcr16@pitt.edu
Job Opportunities
PA-Educator.net--an online clearinghouse designed to improve the application process and assist in the job search of professional school employees interested in working within Pennsylvania.
Teaching Jobs in PA--Teaching Jobs in PA covers elementary, middle and high school teaching vacancies, as well as admin jobs, for all 500 public school districts in Pennsylvania.
Visit the School of Social Work's Career Services page for current job opportunities and career resources.
Home and School Visitor Program Updates
- PA SSW certification, April 29, 2022. PDE created a SSW education certification in 2021. This video highlights who is eligible for an alternative pathway toward certification (grandfathering), how to apply, who cannot apply, and steps moving forward.
- PowerPoint: PA School Social Work Certification, April 29, 2022
- PowerPoint about SSW Certification is available here and on the PASSWP Webpage, SSW Certification in PA (passwp.com)
- August 16, 2021 PDE Virtual Town Hall for School Social Worker Certification - YouTube
- Dr. Alicia Chico, LSW, DSW, School Social Worker, is Pennsylvania Association of School Social Work Personnel, PASSWP, Western Region Representative, alicia.chico@aiu3.net
Professional Organizations
School Social Work Association of America
American Council for School Social Work
Pennsylvania Association of School Social Work Personnel