Post-Graduate Certificate Programs in Social Work

The Hunter College School of Social Work hosts several post-graduate certificate programs designed for people with the MSW degree seeking to further their education in an area of interest to them, who wish to remain current in the field or who want to become certified within a specific area of study. Generally these programs are not part of any academic degree-granting program and do not carry academic credit. For detailed information see the program descriptions at www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/programs/post-masters-programs.html.

Each program is independently operated with separate criteria for admission and completion. They are open to qualified individuals. A certificate will be awarded at the end of each program following the successful completion of all requirements.

In addition to these programs the School has launched Center for Advanced Clinical Education. This program is home base for a variety of classes, conferences, and other special events that address specific issues of current focus in clinical social work. The specific offerings change regularly, and are responsive to both individual practitioners and agency training needs. Teleconferencing is available for distance as well as classroom learning. Upcoming offerings will be posted on the Hunter College School of Social Work website.

Some classes within this Center satisfy the additional clinical education credit needs of those LMSW social workers who are seeking eligibility for the LCSW. These classes will be identified as such on the website, along with specific contact information.

Adoption Therapy

The Post-Graduate Certificate Program in Adoption Competency provides non-credit bearing advanced education and training for social workers and mental health professionals, particularly those working to promote adoption from public foster care. In a ten-session course, The Post Graduate Certificate Program is designed to offer social workers and mental health professionals the opportunity to advance their level of competency in practice with persons affected by adoption. It enables the practitioner to be current on the latest approaches and research involving children/youth and families whose lives are affected by the foster care system and adoption.

A limited number of students are accepted into the program, between 25 and 30. Admissions priority is given to students who are employed by public child welfare agencies and those from licensed foster care agencies in New York State with a master’s degree in social work or a mental health field or who have a bachelor’s degree plus several years of experience working with populations affected by adoption. This program is funded by the New York State Office of Children and Families. For more information about this post graduate certificate program go to the program web site at: www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/adoptiontherapy/ .

Advanced Clinical Social Work: Individual and Family Treatment

This certificate program is designed to meet the needs of LMSWs and LCSWs who want to deepen their clinical practice knowledge for work in a variety of social work settings. The curriculum reflects the belief that the professional identity of clinical social work rests on the use of social work values and knowledge incorporated in practice skill, including a bio-psycho-social context of assessment and intervention, an emphasis on cultural competence, and recognition of the value of advanced clinical knowledge in serving clients in diverse arenas of practice.

Students complete a one year advanced clinical training program focusing on the integration of theory and practice with both individuals and families. The course work combines theoretical and treatment approaches with case supervision. All courses are taught by instructors experienced in agency-based social work. The course takes place on Thursday evenings from 6 - 10 pm.

For further information or application, please call 212-452-7050

Social Work Administration

This program is given in conjunction with the Harold Weissman Center for the Study of Social Administration, a nonprofit institute dedicated to furthering management skills of social welfare practitioners. It was developed in response to a growing interest in raising the standards of administrative practice in the social welfare field and reflects a belief that management is rooted in the values and principles of social work practice. All courses involve a practice component, and all faculty members are practicing managers. This program leads to a Post-Graduate Certificate in Social Work Administration or to a Diploma in Social Work Supervision and Training.

For further information or application, please call 212-452-7046.