Social work practice in mental health services, or what used to be referred to as "psychiatric social work," is a long-standing area of practice in the profession. Social workers today are the primary providers of services to clients with mental health needs, particularly in resource poor areas. The DP-Mental Health Certificate is designed to prepare MSW Program graduates in the Direct Practice specialization for professional practice with individuals, families, and/or small groups with mental/behavioral health challenges.
This certificate is only to students currently enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work’s MSW Program at either the Oakland campus or the Pitt-Johnstown campus. Students in the MSW Program complete a series of required and elective courses as well as a specialization practicum experience leading to the DP-Mental Health Certificate within the normal MSW requirements and need not exceed the length of the degree program. As a University of Pittsburgh-recognized certificate program, receipt of the DP-Mental Health Certificate appears on graduates’ MSW diplomas.
DP-Mental Health Certificate Curriculum
Required Courses
Students pursuing the DP-Mental Health Certificate must fulfill all MSW Program and Direct Practice specialization requirements as well as complete specific courses that support the certificate. Therefore, in addition to completing Direct Practice with Individuals (SWINT 2020), Direct Practice with Families and Groups (SWINT 2021), a second-level Research course (SWRES 2040), and two electives; students seeking the DP-Mental Health Certificate must complete the following second-level Human Behavior and second-level Social Welfare courses:
SWBEH 2065 | Human Behavior: Mental Health (second-level HBSE)
SWWEL 2057 | Mental Health and Public Policy (second-level Policy)
In addition, students in the certificate program also must complete two Direct Practice skill elective courses relevant to working with those facing mental/behavioral health challenges from the following list of approved courses:
SWINT 2018 | Clinical Skills in Social Work Practice for Mental Health Recovery
SWINT 2007 | Introduction to Psychopharmacology in Social Work Practice
SWINT 2011 | Social Work Practice with Families
SWINT 2042 | Social Work with Substance Abuse and Other Addictive Disorders
SWINT 2046 | Planned Short Term Treatment
SWINT 2049 | Direct Practice with Children and Adolescents
SWINT 2053 | Social Work Practice with Groups
SWINT 2072 | Social Work and Traumatic Stress
SWINT 2031 | Advanced Direct Practice: Cognitive-Behavioral – completed in addition to the required Advanced Direct Practice class
SWINT 2032 | Advanced Direct Practice: Social Systems – completed in addition to required Advanced Direct Practice class
SWINT 2033 | Advanced Direct Practice: Psychodynamic – completed in addition to required Advanced Direct Practice class
Review sample course of study models for the DP-Mental Health Certificate.
Required Practicum Work
DP-Mental Health Certificate students must have their specialization practicum placements (SWINT 2099; 12 credits – 720 clock hours) in a mental/behavioral health setting working with individuals, families and/or small groups who face challenges associated with mental health or other behavioral health-related issues. This placement may be completed at a public agency or a private provider agency, excluding private practice type settings.
Certificate Declaration of Intent Form
If not already declared as part of the admission application, an MSW student should submit a Certificate Declaration of Intent Form as soon as possible after beginning the MSW Program to affirm their interest in pursuing the DP-Mental Health Certificate as part of their MSW studies.
Financial Aid
Students pursuing the DP-Mental Health Certificate are eligible for the same financial aid and loan options available to all MSW students. In addition, students completing the DP-Mental Health Certificate also may be eligible for:
- The Behavioral Health Scholars Program offers students the opportunity to become an expert in interprofessional prevention and treatment services for children, adolescents, and transitional-aged youth with behavioral health needs. This program provides a $10,000 stipend during the specialization practicum placement year.
Career Opportunities
Federal data indicate that social workers compose the largest group of direct services mental health professionals in the country, more than the combined totals of the other core mental health professions of psychiatry, psychology, and psychiatric nursing. Recent National Association of Social Workers (NASW) surveys have revealed that mental health is the leading area of practice for NASW members; more than 25% of all MSW students nationally identify mental health as their area of specialization and approximately 26% of MSW practicum placements are in mental and behavioral health organizations. Direct practice social workers in mental health services have a wide array of employment opportunities across a range of public and private providers including psychiatric inpatient services, outpatient psychotherapy services, child and family services, partial hospitalization and case management services, addiction services, and private practice.
SSW Resources
Mental health practice courses are taught by both full-time and part-time faculty, who bring cutting edge, evidence-informed practice knowledge and expertise to their classes. Most of our part-time faculty are actively in practice and bring their experience of current trends and challenges in the practicum into the classroom. Many of our full-time faculty are involved in practice-related research and can help students learn about the important connections between mental health-related research and practice. Students interested in behavioral health with specific populations (for instance, older adults or children, adolescents, and families) have access to coursework relating to these populations. The School of Social Work is connected with an extensive network of mental/behavioral health providers in both rural and urban settings in western Pennsylvania to offer a broad array of practicum placement opportunities.
