A dynamic career choice for those with a passion for helping vulnerable populations, Social Work hugely contributes to society’s betterment! Social workers lead the way in providing support to those who are facing challenges and navigating a crisis. It is their job to perform outreach work and help communities develop programs that make social services accessible.
They also deal with clients who need assistance in coping with their everyday life problems, whether social, mental, or interpersonal. Usually, they have to assess their clients’ needs, strengths, and goals, work closely with them to change and solve their problems. This work often brings them to various settings, including child welfare, mental health clinics, human service agencies, community development corporations, settlement houses, and even private clinics.
Education and training go hand in hand when it comes to the social work career. Generally, social workers need to meet the minimum educational requirement to practice this profession. Earning a bachelor’s in Social Work is the minimum prerequisite. However, specialized social worker positions require at least a master’s degree and two years of experience in a supervised clinical setting. Most times, they must also comply with state licensure requirements.
This is where a Certificate in Social Work program comes in. Most certificate programs in social work are offered to supplement the academic requirements of those who want to pursue a master’s degree or higher. They are also used to meet the qualifications for Social Work licensure examinations. Graduates of a certificate program in social work can expect to enhance their knowledge and skills in a particular area of practice, allowing them to boost their resume and advance their careers.
It is even better because, nowadays, a social work certificate program can be earned online! Aspiring applicants no longer need to attend face-to-face physical classes. This means they are rewarded with flexibility that allows them to fit their coursework around their schedules. They can juggle their educational goals with their personal and professional responsibilities.
To obtain a Certificate in Social Work, students must be able to determine the best online certificate program that enhances their skills and supplements their credentials. OnlineSchoolsCenter.com is here to assist you in this goal! Each of the 11 Best Online Social Work Certificate Programs on our list was indexed based on these characteristics:
- 100% online or hybrid certificate classes, allowing Social Work students to pace their schedules conveniently,
- Delivers coursework that highlights the evidence-informed and data-driven concepts of Social Work to bring about positive community change,
- Focuses on experiential learning, and therefore exposes students to supervised Social Work placement considerations, as applicable,
- Social Work professionals and industry professionals as online instructors,
- Utilizes the most up-to-date principles of ethical practice,
- Provides students with financial aid options,
- Accredited by academic agencies to officially recognize their compliance with the standards of higher education.
Need more details on our selected Online Social Work Certificate Programs? Please see our Methodology page.
- University of Michigan
- University at Buffalo
- Florida State University
- Arizona State University
- University of Wisconsin
- Walden University
- Indiana University
- Loyola University Chicago
- University of Massachusetts
- University of Kentucky
- University of Pennsylvania
University of Michigan
Tuition: $500 Per Credit Unit
The University of Michigan is one of the higher learning institutions that offer a fully online social work program certificate. It allows working professionals to continue their advanced education without having to relocate.
In this program, students can hone three of the most important skills for social work: critical analysis, problem-solving, and research. These are all integral in preparing them for various types of social work. They will explore the fundamental concepts of social work and social justice and apply those skills when working in communities to promote positive change. They will integrate some essential values into the social change process and actions. This certificate program is a MasterTrack certificate, meaning credits earned from this will be accepted into the university’s full master’s program. This will allow graduates of this certificate to complete an MS degree in social work in 45 credit units instead of 60.
The university also has other certificate programs with specialized tracks, including Addictions, Advanced Clinical Dementia, Integrated Behavioral Health and Primary Care, Mixed Methods in Research, and Political Social Work.
Types of Aid: Not available for MasterTrack certificates.
Admission Requirements:
- Complete application form
- No prerequisites required
Accreditations:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Find more information on the University of Michigan’s Online Social Work Certificate Program.
University at Buffalo
Tuition: Varies Per Course
Those who want to earn a certificate program in social work while juggling their careers can consider the university’s online option at Buffalo. One of their online offerings is the Trauma-Informed Care and Counseling Certificate Program.
Students will gain comprehensive knowledge based on trauma and trauma survivors’ needs, both from the individual and the system’s perspective. They will be equipped with psychoeducation and stabilization skills that they can use to provide client treatment. Apart from these, they will also acquire a better understanding of how psychological trauma can lead to numerous problems, including addiction, chronic health issues, and behavioral, psychiatric, and personality disorders. A focus on other trauma-specific services for youth, adults, and specific populations is also available in elective courses.
The program consists of roughly 96 hours of educational content focusing on trauma treatment. The courses on offer are self-study. They include foundation courses, grounding, and experimental courses, skill intervention courses, and elective courses. It takes three years to complete the program, but one can finish it in a shorter timeframe.
Types of Aid: Private Loans, Scholarships, Grants, Discounts
Admission Requirements:
- Lodge application online
- Transcripts
- Resume
Accreditations:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Find more information on University at Buffalos’ Online Social Work Certificate Program.
Florida State University
Tuition: Varies Per Credit Unit
Another online certificate program in social work comes from Florida State University. The Child Welfare Practice Certificate is geared towards undergraduate and graduates social work students who wish to gain knowledge and skills centered on child welfare practice and children’s mental health. On the other hand, those with a child welfare practice can choose to earn the Child Welfare Practice Certificate for Professionals.
Some of the focus areas include children’s interviewing techniques, multidimensional assessment, and intervention planning and referral processes. They will also explore the historical issues in child welfare, current child welfare policy, and child psychopathology in the child welfare system. The courses they can take vary depending on the semester, but they generally involve Child Welfare Practice, Family Violence, and Child Maltreatment and Child Welfare, among many others.
It is important to note that while the online format allows certain flexibility for self-paced learning, students are still required to complete the certificate within four years from the date of acceptance into the program.
Types of Aid: Private Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- Complete online application
- The proposed program of studies
- One letter of support (academic or employment).
- Statement of your career
- A copy of my updated resume
Accreditations:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Find more information on Florida State University’s Online Social Work Certificate program.
Arizona State University
Tuition: Varies Per Credit Unit
Social workers are always looking for ways to develop their knowledge and skills and advance their careers, often in a particular area. Earning a certificate program can help them achieve this. Arizona State University offers an Online Certificate Program with a focus on Mitigation and Criminal Justice.
This specialization is important for social workers who have roles in the disposition and sentencing of public offenders and the support of victims of crime during the justice process. In this program, students will acquire content on the relationship between mental disorder and crime. They will explore how different sentencing frameworks can affect the sentencing of offenders who are suffering from mental disorders.
Social workers who want to advance into the mitigation specialist field will find this certificate program a good fit for their career plans. Some of the program’s courses include Seminar in Courts and Sentencing, Presentence Investigations, Alternatives Penal Sanctions. They are also required to select electives totaling six credit hours from the required 15 credit hours.
Types of Aid: Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, criminology, criminal justice, or a related field
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00
- Graduate admission application and application fee
- Official transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency (for those whose native language is not English) s
Accreditations:
- The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Find more information on Arizona State University’s Online Social Work Certificate Program.
University of Wisconsin
Tuition: $363 Per Credit Unit
Working professionals looking to supplement their degree or career can consider the online certificate program in social work offered by the University of Wisconsin. The Social Work Professional Online Certificate provides disciplinary knowledge and skillsets focusing on applied learning and practice of theory.
They employ a holistic educational approach focusing on learning, research, theory application, and critical thinking. Graduates emerge with the skills and strengths to support society’s vulnerable members in overcoming social problems while empowering them to lead healthier lives. The program, which also supplements social work licensure requirements in the state of Wisconsin, consists of 8 courses that can be completed within a year. The courses are: Introduction to Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Social Work and Social Welfare Policy, and Social Work Practice Methods.
By the end of the program, students are expected to demonstrate their understanding of social work that is effective, ethical, and culturally competent.
Types of Aid: Private Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- Online application with an application fee
- Official transcripts
Accreditations:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Find more information on the University of Wisconsin’s Online Social Work Certificate Program.
Recommended Schools
Find more information on Walden University’s Online Social Work Certificate Program.
Indiana University
Tuition: Varies Per Credit Unit
Social workers looking to learn and deliver technology-mediated practice to client populations in remote areas can consider earning the online graduate certificate in e-social work from Indiana University. A first of its kind, this program is designed for those who want to explore the growing telebehavioral health practice.
Students are expected to explore how to employ technology in delivering critical social work services to places that are not easily accessible. They will learn how telebehavioral technology can be leveraged and the role that telebehavioral health practice plays in an increasingly modern world. They will also explore the health services delivered through technology’s help and their strengths and limitations. Students are also taught the skills for advance e-social work, including the ways to develop best practice policies, conduct online assessments, plan for emergencies, and evaluate relevant metrics for individuals.
Some areas of focus for this program include evaluating and analyzing secure, HIPAA compliant video conferencing platforms for e-social work, managing privacy and information security, and mediating social presence. Courses included in the program are Foundations of e-Social Work Practice, Health Information Exchange, and Clinical Information Systems, among others.
Types of Aid: Loans, Grants, Scholarships
Admission Requirements:
- A Master of Social Work degree (MSW) earned from an accredited Social Work graduate program
- 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
- Transcripts
- Complete application form with non-refundable fee
Accreditations:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Find more information on Indiana University’s Online Social Work Certificate Program.
Loyola University Chicago
Tuition: $10,000 total cost
If you earned your Master of Science (MS) from an accredited School of Social Work, proceed with attending the School Mental Health Advanced Practice Certificate program from Loyola University Chicago! This program is designed to help graduate students meet their required courses and field placement for licensure in Illinois.
In this certificate program, mental health professionals are equipped with skills and knowledge to provide positive psychosocial development to their student clients. They will be trained to foster collaboration between schools and families. They will plan out and implement strength-based interventions in schools while leveraging a more data-driven and evidence-informed approach to school-based mental health practice. Composed of 15 credit hours, this certificate has two synchronous courses, two asynchronous online courses, and one hybrid elective class. Some of the required courses include Evidence-Based Practice in Schools, Strength-based Interventions in Schools, and Special Topics in Advanced School Mental Health Practice.
Graduate students can complete this certificate program in an average of two years.
Types of Aid: Private Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- Completed application form
- Official transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- CV/Resume
- TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE for International Students
Accreditations:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Find more information on Loyola University Chicago’s Online Social Work Certificate Program.
University of Massachusetts
Tuition: $402 Per Credit Unit
The University of Massachusetts, under its Department of Sociology, offers an Online Certificate Program in Social Work and Social Welfare. It is designed for students seeking entry-level positions in social welfare programs or social work agencies. The certificate can also be used in pursuing graduate work in social work or social policy.
In this program, students can choose a specific area of sociology to focus on. The program requires a minimum of 15 credits for completion. Some of the courses included are Social Class and Inequality, Gender and Society, Sociology of Medicine, Sociology of Childhood, Asylums, Madness, and Mental Illness, among many others.
The online format means students have more flexibility in their schedules, taking on the coursework at their own pace.
Types of Aid: Military Benefits, Private Loans, Direct Consumer Alternative Loan
Admission Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- High school students with written permission from guardian or counselor
Accreditations:
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Find more information on the University of Massachusetts Online Social Work Certificate Program.
University of Kentucky
Tuition: $693 Per Credit Unit
Social workers who are general practitioners can move to an advanced level of clinical knowledge through completing the Clinical Social Work Certificate offered by the University of Kentucky. The program is fully available online, allowing professional social workers to juggle their careers with their educational pursuits.
There are three courses in the program amounting to 9 credit hours. This certificate’s primary benefit is to boost one’s academic credential by transforming their generalist social work practice knowledge into an enhanced knowledge base. Students are expected to explore and examine both the common and rare mental health disorders along with the best ways to provide an assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plans. They will also be equipped with advanced decision-making skills integral in helping and supporting vulnerable individuals throughout their recovery and stability journey.
Taught by experts in the field, this certificate program explores evidence-based clinical practice by identifying and treating various mental health disorders. The three courses required for this program include Psychopathology for Clinical Social Work, Evidence-Based Practice for Social Workers, and Comparative Treatment Modalities.
Types of Aid: Private Loans, Scholarships, Grants, Military Benefits, Employer Tuition Reimbursement
Admission Requirements:
- Complete online application with a $65 application fee
- Undergraduate transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
Accreditations:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Find more information on the University of Kentucky’s Online Social Work Certificate Program.
University of Pennsylvania
Tuition: $3,950 Per Program
Designed for current healthcare social work professionals, the University of Pennsylvania’s Advanced Certificate in Oncology Social Work Practice is available online. It is aimed to equip social workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to help them work individuals and communities that have been impacted by cancer.
This program is a specialization within the social work practice. It explores the ways cancer can affect individuals, families, and communities and seeks to address their psychosocial needs. Social workers are taught to provide comprehensive care to people with cancer using multi-systemic and holistic practice, research, education, and advocacy. Once completed, they are expected to possess advanced training integral to supporting diverse patients and families coping with cancer. They will assist those affected by cancer in coping with diagnosis and treatment, survivorship, recurrence, end-of-life planning, and bereavement.
The University of Pennsylvania’s Advanced Certificate in Oncology Social Work Practice has these courses: Supervision and Administration in Oncology Care, Bioethics and Moral Distress, Building and Financing Community Based Partnerships, and Trauma-Informed Cancer Care, among many others.
Types of Aid: Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- Personal statement
- Letter of recommendation
- Updated resume
- Complete online application
Accreditations:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Find more information on the University of Pennsylvania’s Online Social Work Certificate Program.
How can I become a Social Worker?
A career in social work usually starts in education and training. Most social workers earn a bachelor’s degree before pursuing a master’s degree and obtaining a license. The last two often involve academic requirements that a Social Work Certificate Program can supplement.
While your educational background and valuable experience are important, succeeding in the field is really about commitment and hard work. Ideally, you choose a specialized field as an area of focus. It is also important to advance your practice through continuous learning.
For those who are not ready yet to pursue a Master’s in Social Work and other advanced degree programs, a great course of action is to earn a certificate that can boost your qualifications and equip you with additional skills and knowledge.
What can I do with an Online Certificate in Social Work?
Most online certificate programs in social work are instrumental in helping social workers develop their skills in the field of their choice. They are designed for professional social workers who need to supplement their degrees and careers through acquiring disciplinary knowledge and skill. Online Certificate in Social Work programs are also career-focused, which means students gain the knowledge that will allow them to pursue higher degrees for career advancement or meet certain requirements for licensure.
What are Social Work specializations?
As with many other majors, Social Work has specialization options, namely Child and Family, Geriatric, Medical and Public Health, School, and Clinical Social Work. There may be some variations in each focus depending on the school or university offering them, but these five specializations generally constitute the field.
You must know how the academic track should be part of making your choice of school and program. Research more the potential programs to help you pick the best fit for your career goals.