Certificate Programs Overview
Prepare for your career by participating in one of our various certificate programs, each focusing on a specialized discipline within the field of social work. These programs leverage the knowledge and practical experience of our esteemed faculty to ready both graduate and undergraduate students for professional practice.
**Note: All certificate programs require an application. Please see each certificate for details. In accordance with the regulations of the Florida Board of Governors (BOG) Regulation 8.011(7)(b), “Students are required to apply as soon as possible (and prior to completing the second course in the program), and must be notified as soon as possible whether they are accepted into the program.”
The FSU College of Social Work offers the following certificate programs:
Child Welfare Practice Certificate
The Child Welfare Practice Certificate Program is designed for undergraduate and graduate social work students who wish to develop knowledge and skills in child welfare practice and children’s mental health. Students who complete the certificate program will be provided instruction based on the following areas of child welfare practice:
- Multidimensional assessment (including risk & safety assessment)
- Children’s interviewing techniques
- Intervention planning and referral processes
- Historical issues in child welfare
- Current child welfare policy
- Child psychopathology in the child welfare system
- Prevalence and etiology of children’s mental health diagnoses
- A generalists perspective in treating children’s mental health issues
The College also offers a “Child Welfare Practice Certificate for Professionals” for those with child welfare practice experience who would like to enhance their skills by completing coursework in the field. These applicants are eligible to enroll in the required courses as “non-degree seeking” or “Special Students.” For more information on this admission status, go to: https://admissions.fsu.edu/NonDegreeApp.
Professional applicants must complete the Child Welfare Practice Certificate application and provide documentation of at least 1 year of work experience in child welfare practice. The core courses are available online for the convenience of working applicants.
To learn more, please contact Betty Lanese at (850) 644-5713 or blanese@fsu.edu.
Applying for the Child Welfare Practice Certificate:
A completed application package shall include the following:
- Complete online application form (below).
- Proposed program of studies – please outline your curriculum plan for completing the certificate program (specify courses for each semester).
- One (1) letter of support (academic or employment).
- A statement of your career goals (5 page limit) addressing how the certificate/specialized studies program will aid in accomplishing your goals.
- A copy of your updated resume.
*The submission of an application does not guarantee admission to the program.
*In accordance with the regulations of the Florida Board of Governors (BOG) Regulation 8.011(7)(b), “Students are required to apply as soon as possible (and prior to completing the second course in the program), and must be notified as soon as possible whether they are accepted into the program.”
*Degree-seeking students must be accepted to both the University and the College of Social Work.
*Non-degree seeking students can apply through the FSU Office of Admissions (850-644-3420) and then contact the College of Social Work for acceptance into the certificate/specialized studies program.
*NOTE: IMS students interested in pursuing the degree-seeking certificate can contact their advisor for qualifications.
Required Courses
- SOW 4658/5659: Child Maltreatment & Child Welfare
- SOW 4650/5656: Child Welfare Practice
- SOW 4702/5712: Substance Use and Abuse
- SOW 4615/5614: Family Violence
(NOTE: Recommended course sequence is SOW 4658/5659: Child Maltreatment and Child Welfare, and then SOW 4650/5656: Child Welfare Practice.)
Certificate Requirements
Internship requirements
Internships are primarily located within the Department of Children and Families and Community-based Care Agencies around the state of Florida; however, other agencies are appropriate if they meet the following guidelines:
- The agency must have a child welfare focus.
- Opportunity to work directly with clients.
- Opportunity to work in all phases of the child welfare process.
- At least 50% of the internship must involve direct client contact.
- Opportunity to conduct an evaluation of child welfare practice.
- Agency can provide an MSW supervisor possessing child welfare practice skills acquired through a minimum of two years’ post-master’s experience.
Please Note: The Certificate Chair can help clarify what constitutes an appropriate internship for this certificate; however, the final decision on internship locations is determined by the Office of Field Education. Students are restricted from contacting any agency without permission from the Office of Field Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there exceptions for those who are employed by the Department of Children and Families or Community-based Care agencies?
Current employees of the Department of Children and Families and Community-based Care agencies may be exempt from the Professional Certificate internship requirement, but degree-seeking students are not.
What is the time limit to complete the Certificate?
All requirements must be completed within four (4) years from the date of acceptance into the certificate program.
As of Fall 2025, the Gerontology Certificate will be ending. New applications are no longer being accepted, but students who have previously been approved may complete the certificate. The information below is relevant only to students currently completing the Gerontology Certificate.
The mission of this certificate is to educate students about gerontological theories and practices and provide students with gerontological internship and service-learning experiences. These educational objectives will give these students the skills that they need for frontline positions in practice and administrative positions in social service organizations that focus on serving older adults.
For questions relating to this certificate, please contact Carol Edwards at (850) 645-9571 or carol.edwards@fsu.edu.
Applying for the Gerontology/Aging Studies Certificate:
A completed application package shall include the following:
- Complete the online application form (below).
- Proposed program of studies – Please outline your curriculum plan for completing the certificate program (specify courses for each semester).
- One (1) letter of recommendation.
- A statement of your career goals (5-page limit) addressing how the certificate/specialized studies program will aid in your accomplishing your goals.
- A copy of your updated resume.
*The submission of an application does not guarantee admission to the program.
*Degree-seeking student must be accepted to both the University and the College of Social Work.
*Non-degree seeking students can apply through the FSU Office of Admissions (850-644-3420) and then contact the College of Social Work for acceptance into the certificate/specialized studies program.
Undergraduate Requirements
This certificate requires completion of four aging-related courses, including one required (SOW: 4645: Gerontological Social Work), equaling 12 credit hours. Students must take one course outside of social work. No transfer credits or substitutions are permitted. ALL courses must be completed with a grade of ʻBʼ or higher. Capstone Assignment: Before the completion of the program of studies and service component, each Certificate recipient will have written a capstone assignment consisting of a minimum of ten pages of paper focusing on one specific theory related to aging and a practical application of that theory related to the service component. Thus, the purpose of the capstone paper is to integrate classroom knowledge. The Certificate Director is responsible for reviewing the capstone assignment to ensure it meets this requirement prior to informing the student and the social work office of the student’s completion. All coursework must be completed within 4 years of initial enrollment. In addition to completing the required 12 semester credits of coursework, all students must successfully complete 40 or more hours of paid or volunteer experience focused on working with older persons. Social Work students will do this by successfully completing a gerontological field placement arranged through the College of Social Work Office of Field Education. Non-Social Work students may meet this requirement through SOW 1054 - Human Service Experience, or other arrangement approved by the Chair of the Certificate.
Course Description for SOW 4645
SOW 4645 - Gerontological Social Work introduces students to the field of social gerontology and gerontological social work. The class provides an overview of topics such as the demography of aging and the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of aging. The course also covers health care and social policies that affect older persons and caregivers, as well as the aging network of services. How forms of prejudice such as ageism, sexism, racism, able-bodiedism, beautyism, and homophobia impact our work with older people is discussed, along with how to promote dignity, self-determination, and social and economic justice for older persons. The role of both informal and formal support networks is stressed as students learn to comprehensively assess older clients and devise intervention and evaluation plans. (In the event that this course is not offered in a given semester, a directed independent study can be substituted upon prior approval of the Chair of the Certificate Program and under the direction of an FSU faculty member.)
Other Approved Courses
Students should select three additional courses (9 semester hours) from the approved list below. At least one course must be from a discipline outside of social work. Other coursework may be approved as appropriate.
- DEP 4404: Psychology of Aging
- SOW 4602: Social Work in Healthcare Settings
- SOW 4647: Physical Aspects of Aging
- SYA 4930: Sociology of Successful Aging
- SYP 3730: Aging and the Life Course
- SYP 4764: Aging Policy and Services
- DIS: Directed Individual Studies (course number by department).
**NOTE: As course offerings change frequently, these courses may not be offered. In addition, new courses may be added at the Director's discretion. If you identify a course that seems appropriate but is not on this list, contact the Director for approval.
Admissions Requirements
Degree Seeking Students
To be considered for this program, applicants must have:
-
Been admitted to the University
- Completed the Certificate application packet
- A cumulative minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in the last 30 hours of coursework
- Evidence of paid social services work or volunteer experience with older adults. (May be waived at the discretion of the Certificate Chair).
Graduate Requirements
This certificate requires completion of four courses, including one required (SOW: 5646 Gerontological Social Work), equaling 12 credit hours. Students must take one course outside of social work. No transfer credit or substitutions are permitted. ALL courses must be completed with a grade of ʻBʼ or higher. All coursework must be completed within four years from the time of initial enrollment. Capstone Assignment: Before the completion of the program of studies and service component, each Certificate recipient will have written a capstone assignment consisting of a minimum of ten page paper focusing on one specific theory related to aging and a practical application of that theory related to the service component. Thus, the purpose of the capstone paper is to integrate classroom knowledge. The Certificate Director is responsible for reviewing the capstone assignment for adequacy in meeting this requirement prior to informing the student and social work office of the student’s completion. In addition to completing the required 12 semester credits of coursework, all students must successfully complete 40 or more hours of paid or volunteer experience focused on working with older persons. Social Work students will do this by successfully completing a gerontological field placement arranged through the College of Social Work Office of Field Education. Non-Social Work students may meet this requirement through SOW 1054-Human Service Experience or other arrangement approved by the Certificate Chair.
Course Description for SOW 5646
SOW 5646 - Gerontological Social Work introduces students to the field of social gerontology and gerontological social work. The class provides an overview of topics such as the demography of aging and the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of aging. The course also covers health care and social policies that affect older persons and caregivers, as well as the aging network of services. How forms of prejudice such as ageism, sexism, racism, able-bodiedism, beautyism, and homophobia impact our work with older people is discussed, along with how to promote dignity, self-determination, and social and economic justice for older persons. The role of both informal and formal support networks is stressed as students learn to comprehensively assess older clients and devise intervention and evaluation plans.
In the event that this course is not offered in a given semester, a directed independent study can be substituted upon prior approval of the Chair of the Certificate Program and under the direction of an FSU faculty member.
Other Approved Courses
This course serves as the capstone course for the Certificate. Students select three additional courses (9 semester hours) from the approved list (below). At least one course must be from a discipline outside of social work. Other coursework may be approved as appropriate.
- ADE 5193: Education and Training in Gerontology
- MHS 6938: Special Topics in Counseling Psychology
- NGR 5255: Dynamics of Aging
- PSY 6919r: Seminar in Current# Research Topics
- SOW 5603: Social Work in Healthcare Settings
- SOW 5648: Physical Aspects of Aging
- SOW 5745: Loss and Bereavement
- SYP 5733: Social Psychology of Aging
- SYP 5735: Sociology of Aging
- SYA 6933: Health Care Regulation
- SYA 6933: Aging and the Life Course
- SYA 6933: Sociology of Successful Aging
- SYA 5136: Lifecourse Epidemiology
- SYO 5416: Stress and Mental Health
- SYP 5737: The Dynamics of Aging and Social Change
- SYP 5738: Aging Policies and Services DIS: Directed Individual Studies (course number by department)
**NOTE: As course offerings change frequently, these courses may not be offered. In addition, new courses may be added at the Director's discretion. If you identify a course that seems appropriate but is not on this list, contact the Director for approval.
Admission Requirements
Non-Degree Seeking Students
To be considered for this program, applicants must have:
- Admitted to the university as a non-degree-seeking student
- Completed the certificate application packet
- A cumulative minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in the last 30 hours of coursework
- Evidence of paid social services work or volunteer experience with older adults. (May be waived at the discretion of the Certificate Chair).
Degree Seeking Students
To be considered for this program, applicants must have:
- Been admitted to the University
- Completed the Certificate application packet
- A cumulative minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in the last 30 hours of coursework
- Evidence of paid social services work or volunteer experience with older adults.
(May be waived at the discretion of the Certificate Chair).
Leadership in Executive and Administrative Development (LEAD) Certificate Program
The Leadership in Executive and Administrative Development (LEAD) Certificate Program educates students about leadership theories and practices and provides students with leadership experience. Learning about leadership gives students the skills that they need for middle and executive positions in social service organizations. An in-depth curriculum that emphasizes leadership, decision-making, client-centered management, team building, negotiating, budget and finance, and the successful management of grants guides our students in the direction of being able to successfully manage social service agencies.
Prerequisites
- All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree.
- Applicants can apply prior to taking any LEAD courses but in accordance with the regulations of the Florida Board of Governors (BOG) Regulation 8.011(7)(b), “Students are required to apply as soon as possible (and prior to completing the second course in the program), and must be notified as soon as possible whether they are accepted into the program.”
- Applicants who are degree-seeking need to be accepted to the College of Social Work and Florida State University
- All applicants must past the LEAD standardized exam with a score of 70% or better. This exam is taken online at the completion of ALL four required courses.
Required Courses
12 credit hours. Core courses offered at the Tallahassee campus and online.
- SOW 5435: Social Program Evaluation (3 credit hours)
- SOW 5376: Budget and Finance in the Social Services (3 credit hours)
- SOW 5377: Social Work Administration (3 credit hours)
- SOW 5455: Grant writing and Grant Management (3 credit hours)
**Students must also pass the LEAD Certificate Exam with an 70% or better and must complete the certificate within four years.
Twelve hours of certificate courses may be applied toward a Master’s degree in social work if the student is accepted. Only courses with a B or better grade can be accepted and can only be taken once.
Course Rotation
The course rotation is subject to change.
Spring
- On campus: SOW 5455: Grant Writing & Grant Management
- Online: SOW 5376: Budgeting & Finance in the Social Services
Summer
- On campus: SOW 5476: Budgeting & Finance in the Social Services
- Online: SOW 5455: Grant Writing & Grant Management / SOW5377: Social Work Administration
Fall
- On campus: SOW5377: Social Work Administration / SOW5435: Social Program Evaluation
- Online: SOW5435: Social Program Evaluation
To learn more, please contact Betty Lanese at (850) 644-5713 or blanese@fsu.edu.
Applying for the LEAD in Social Work Certificate:
A completed application package shall include the following:
- Complete the online application form (below).
- Proposed program of studies – Please outline your curriculum plan for completing the certificate program (specify courses for each semester).
- One (1) letter of support (academic or employment).
- A statement of your career goals (5-page limit) addressing how the certificate/specialized studies program will aid in accomplishing your goals.
- A copy of your updated resume.
*The submission of an application does not guarantee admission to the program.
*Degree-seeking students must be accepted to both the University and the College of Social Work.
*Non-degree seeking students can apply through the FSU Office of Admissions (850-644-3420) and then contact the College of Social Work for acceptance into the certificate/specialized studies program.