About School Social Work

School social work is a specialized field of practice within the social work profession. Individuals employed as school social workers must meet the criteria set forth by the Michigan Department of Education in the Public School Code. Specifically, they must have earned a Master of Social Work degree, which includes a minimum of 500 clock hours of supervised social work practicum experience. In addition, school social workers must have demonstrated knowledge/competence in four additional areas: 1) child psychopathology 2) diagnosis, assessment and testing, 3) educational disabilities and their impact on children and families, and 4) the practice of social work in educational settings.

School Social Work Approval Process

School social workers must be approved by the Michigan Department of Education. The MDE relies on Michigan universities to prepare candidates for school social work positions and to provide letters verifying their eligibility. The current procedure for securing approval is as follows:

Candidates for school social work positions should show potential employers a copy of a form SSW- 310 from a Michigan University, verifying their eligibility for a recommendation.

Once a person is hired as a school social worker, the employing district should notify their Intermediate School District (ISD) Approval Coordinator.

The ISD will contact the MDE for temporary approval, or the initial year of service.

The district should arrange for a fully approved school social worker to provide direction to the new employee.

Full approval as a school social worker may be granted by the MDE upon written documentation from the employing school district of satisfactory completion of one year as a school social worker.

Dual Requirement

All individuals identifying themselves as social workers in Michigan, including school social workers, must register with the State of Michigan Board of Examiners of Social Workers, Department of Community Health. The employing district should request documentation of this registration from the employee.

Source: MASSW School Administrator Packet 1997

Licensing of Social Workers

A Limited Master's Social Work License process is in place towards individuals working towards full eligibility of Licensure. It is required for SSWs to have this license at a minimum. Be aware that School Social Work is a clinical practice and you should indicate such within your application.

You may apply on line at: http://www.michigan.gov/elicense

More information is available through the Michigan Board of Social Work at:

http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-27417_27529_27554---,00.html

For more information on Continuing Education, Licensing and Professional Development, please see the SSW Professional Information page.

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2011 MASSW Touching Lives...Touching the Future Conference

MASSW Mission Statement

The Mission of the Michigan Association of School Social Workers is to advocate for the delivery of school social work services to meet the needs of all children. As an organization, we will actively promote the educational and professional growth of members to ensure that the highest standards of practice are upheld. We will champion the causes of members and clients, and work to impact legislation that will improve the delivery of school social work services and enhance the education of all children. School Social Workers will work cooperatively with all systems that affect education to guarantee the highest degree of service. The future of our nation is dependent on the education of our children. MASSW will do whatever is within its power to meet these present and future challenges.