Certificate Programs

We offer three types of certificate programs:

Certificate in Child Welfare Practice

Certificate in Gerontology

Certificate in Jewish Communal Service

Certificate in Social Work Practice with the Military

Certificate in Jewish Philanthropy (Pending NYSED Approval)

Certificate in Child Welfare Practice

The certificate, which is granted upon graduation, is open to any Wurzweiler student who is in good academic standing and demonstrates the following criteria:

1. Commitment to the field of child welfare and a commitment to serving Latino and African American families
2. Awareness of the over-representation of children and families of color in the child welfare system
3. Incorporation of NYS Child Welfare Competencies into social work practice
4. One or two field placements in public or voluntary child welfare agencies
5. Enrollment in child welfare specific MSW core courses (Foundation Practice I & II, Human Behavior I & II, Social Welfare Organization, and both Research courses)
6. Enrollment in specialized elective courses (see below)
7. Completion of a capstone essay project that focuses on child welfare practice

Elective Courses

Certificate in Child Welfare Practice students should take three of the following electives:
SWK 6139 Immigration
SWK 6630 Social Work Practice in Schools
SWK 6683 Substance Abuse
SWK 6684 Child and Family Welfare
SWK 6281 Law and Social Work
SWK 6702 Coping with Loss
SWK 6682 Evidence-Based Mental Health Practice
SWK 6685 Social Work Practice with Trauma & Interpersonal Violence
SWK 6141 Family Systems
SWK 6328 Social Work with Groups
SWK 6681 Community Mental Health
SWK 6704 Social Work Practice with Children

For more information, please contact Dr. Mason at masone@yu.edu  

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Certificate in Gerontology

The certificate, which is granted upon graduation, is open to any Wurzweiler student who is in good academic standing and demonstrates the following criteria:

1. One or two field placements in agencies serving older adults
2. Enrollment in MSW core courses (Foundation Practice I & II, Human Behavior I & II, and Social Welfare Organization) that infuse content on aging into their syllabi
3. Enrollment in specialized elective courses (see below)
4. Completion of a capstone essay project that focuses on some aspect of social work practice in gerontology

Elective Courses

Students should take three of the following electives:
SWK 6686 Social Gerontology
SWK 6688 Advanced Policy and Practice in Gerontology
SWK 6702 Coping with Loss
SWK 6820 Social Work Practice in Palliative Care

For more information, please contact Dr. Wilmore-Schaeffer at wilmores@yu.edu  

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Certificate in Jewish Communal Service

This certificate, which is granted upon graduation, is open to any Wurzweiler student who is in good academic standing and demonstrates the following criteria:

1. Commitment to professional excellence in the field of Jewish communal service in either direct practice or leadership positions in the Jewish community
2. Dedication to the Jewish community and passion for vibrant Jewish life
3. One field placement in a Jewish communal agency in the NY metropolitan area or in students’ home communities
4. Enrollment in MSW core courses (Foundation Practice I & II, Human Behavior I & II, Social Welfare Organization, and both Research courses)
5. Enrollment in specialized elective courses (see below)
6. Participation in an educational enrichment seminar

Elective Courses

Jewish Communal Service students should take three of the following electives:
SWK 6136 Jewish Response to Communal Needs
SWK 6191 Major Concepts in Jewish Cultural History
SWK 6180 Organizational Structure of the American Jewish Community
(or)
SWK 6145 The Changing American Jewish Family

For more information, please contact Dr. Andron at sandron@yu.edu  

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Certificate in Social Work Practice with the Military

The certificate, which is granted upon graduation, is open to any Wurzweiler student who is in good academic standing and demonstrates the following criteria:

1.      Commitment to meet the needs of service members, his/her caretakers, and family as a student and upon graduation

2.      Competence through one or two specialized field work assignments in an agency that serves the military such as VA hospitals, Vet Centers, and Family Readiness facilities

3.      Development of clinical skills in working with service members who are at risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

4.      Development of leadership and advocacy skills for the highest standards of services to the military

5.      Acknowledgement of the significant role that soldiers and veterans play in keeping this country safe, as well as an acknowledgement of their special health/mental health needs and the need to improve services to this growing segment of the population

6.     Enrollment in three specialized elective courses (see below), and

7.     Completion of a capstone essay project that focuses on social work practice with the military.

Elective Courses:  (Three electives of your choosing)

SWK 6810 Social Work Practice with the Military – This required elective explores the nature of war, the culture of the military and the impact of war on soldiers and their families.  It also looks at specific mental health issues for the returning soldier and offers treatment approaches.

SWK 6702 Coping with Loss – Grief and bereavement issues form the content of this course.  Approaches to understanding the nuances of military loss and treating those with bereavement and loss issues will be included.

SWK 6685 Social Work Practice with Trauma and Interpersonal Violence – This course provides an overview of the field of trauma work and explores different forms of violence.  Sexual trauma, domestic violence, and PTSD as germane to members of the military will be explored.

SWK 6821 Clinical Practice with Military Families – This elective will be developed to address the needs of spouses, children, parents, and siblings impacted by military services.  They are all part of the separation and integration imposed by the military obligation.  Particular emphasis on those secondarily impacted will be highlighted in this course.

For more information, please contact Dr. Beder at beder@yu.edu  

Certificate in Jewish Philanthropy

The application below is only for non-MSW students. MSW students should speak with their faculty advisor and then the director of the Certificate in Jewish Philanthropy to express their interest in the certificate program.

About the Certificate in Jewish Philanthropy

For more information, please contact Dr. Saul Andron at sandron@yu.edu 

Non-MSW students apply here for the Certificate in Jewish Philanthropy