Social work in schools

Temporary approval by the State Department of Education is required for employment as a school social worker. The School of Social Work can recommend temporary approval to the State Department of Education on behalf of MSW graduates with the submission of the SSW-310 paperwork.

Did you know...

School social workers, school counselors, school psychologists and school nurses are frequently the first to see children who are sick, stressed, traumatized & who may act out, or may hurt themselves.
Students are 21 times more likely to visit school-based health centers for treatment than anywhere else.
Schools that employ more school-based mental health providers see improved attendance rates, lower rates of suspension or other disciplinary incidents, expulsion, improved academic achievement, career preparation and graduation rates.
Almost half of the total social work workforce works in schools with children.

More than 10 million students are in schools without school social workers. The social, emotional & behavioral needs of these students aren't being met. Want to change that? Consider becoming a school social worker! School social work is a specialized field of practice within the social work profession that according to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) "acts as the connection for school, home, and community services to help children with emotional, developmental, and educational needs." School social workers work as part of interdisciplinary support teams in public and private schools, preschool programs, and in some cases social service agencies and residential centers for children. Learn more from NASW

Individuals employed as school social workers in Michigan 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 working with children 0-18. 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. Learn more about School Social Work in Michigan

Requirements

Temporary approval by the State Department of Education is required for employment as a school social worker. Faculty of the School of Social Work who granted the Master of Social Work degree to the applicant recommends temporary approval to the State Department of Education. Evidence of the knowledge and competencies outlined in the "State Rules and Regulations for School Social Work" must be on file with the University. Wayne State University, Master of Social Work graduates who have fulfilled requirements to meet the Temporary Approval, can apply to have a SSW-310 University Recommendation completed. Prospective job applicants then can provide this form as proof of eligibility for temporary approval. Once the applicant has received an offer of employment, the employing school district then completes the lower portion of the SSW-310 and forwards it to the State of Michigan, Department of Education.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Obtained a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree
Completion of a minimum of 500 documented hours of graduate- level pracitcum work with children ages 0-18. Please note that students who enter the MSW program with Advanced Standing and enroll in a two-day a week practicum placement must complete an additional 50 clock hours to meet this 500-hour requirement.
Completion of the following specified courses (3 in total):
- SW 8305 Assessment Skills for Interpersonal Practice
- SW 8315 Integrative Theories and Practice Approaches in IP
- And one intervention course from the list below:
  - SW 8345 Psychodynamic Interventions in Social Work Practice
  - SW 8355 Family System Interventions in Social Work Practice
  - SW 8335 Client-Centered Interventions in Social Work Practice
  - SW 8325 Cognitive Behavioral Interventions in Social Work Practice

Or have completed one of the following courses below, prior to the 2022 academic school year:

Completion of Interpersonal Theory Track Courses*
- Cognitive/Behavioral Track (SW 8340 & SW 8350)
- Family Systems (SW 8380 & SW 8390, formerly SW 8540/ SW 8610 & SW 8780/ SW 8790)
- Psychodynamic (SW 8360 & SW 8370)
  - Completion of the 2 School Social Work Course
    - SW 8180 Social Services in the School
    - SW 8330 Psychosocial Assessment of Children and Youth

Refresher workshops do not satisfy the content area requirements for students who had not previously met requirements for temporary approval. Please note that we offer the Refresher course, SW 8180 and SW 8330 through our Continuing Education Office.

If you earned your MSW from Wayne State University or have any eligibility questions please contact our Temporary Approval Coordinator, Karen Weiner at ah9301@wayne.edu before you register for the courses. If you earned your MSW from another Michigan University, you need to contact the Temporary Approval Coordinator for that University before you register.

Apply

How to apply for graduate admissions status:

A student who has never been formally admitted to a graduate program at Wayne State University must file an initial Graduate application with the University Admissions Office using the online application. The student will select 'Non-Degree Social Work' for the academic program and major. Official transcripts of all college-level work, both undergraduate and graduate, are to be sent directly to the University Admissions Office by the institution where the applicant was enrolled. Students must pay any associated admission application fees.
A student who has already been admitted as a WSU graduate student and who is in good standing must request a Change of Status with the School of Social Work Office of Admissions and Student Services by sending an email to sswadmissions@wayne.edu noting they wish to return and enroll in post-master coursework.

How to apply for temporary approval for Michigan Social Workers:

Complete the Request for From SSW-310 application
Upon submission of your application, if eligible, you will receive a Temporary Approval Letter in about 3-5 weeks

Obtaining the Temporary Approval allows one to apply for School SW positions. If you obtain a school social work position in a Charter or Traditional Public School, after one year, your HR representative will apply to the ISD or the State of Michigan for full approval. Make sure they DO THIS! Get a copy of it for your records.

The Temporary Approval is valid for five years. If a school social work position is not obtained, the refresher course is required, followed by reapplication for the Temporary Approval, which is then valid for another five years. After this time, if one does not obtain a school social work position, one would need to retake the classes and reapply for Temporary Approval.

Student perspective

alexis_schankowski

To make a difference in the world, you have to make an impact on the individual. Choosing the School Social Work program was the start of my pathway to becoming someone's support that they need in their life. - MSW Alexis Schankowsk

Contact

Karen Weiner
Temporary Approval Coordinator
ah9301@wayne.edu