Child Welfare Certificate

Earn Your Child Welfare Certificate

Ferris State University is the only University to offer the State of Michigan Child Welfare Certificate, and pursuing it as a part of your Bachelor of Social Work degree program will accelerate your career and prepare you to help your clients even more.

Earning your certificate will benefit you by:

• Making you extremely employable at child welfare agencies in either child protective services or foster care departments. Child welfare agencies are always looking for new workers and you will have an edge on the competition.
• Upon being hired, your employee training time is cut in half - four weeks instead of nine.

Even if you choose not to pursue your Child Welfare Certificate, taking child welfare courses is an asset for every social worker.

• Having this knowledge will help you to advocate for your clients.
• You will have a better understanding of the child welfare and legal system.
• You will gain a deeper understanding of trauma, attachment, abuse/neglect, child development, parenting styles, testifying in court, and engaging with clients involved in the child welfare system.

Certificate Requirements

• Two Course Requirements
  • SCWK 360 – Social Work and Child Welfare (usually offered in the fall semester)
  • SCWK 361 – Legal Aspects of Social Work (usually offered in the spring semester)
• Complete your senior internship at a child placing agency (DHHS or a private agency)
• Receive a “B” or above in all coursework.
• Upon completion you will receive your Child Welfare Certificate that can be used within 18 months of graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Information

Carrie Thompson
BSW Program Director
[email protected]
(231) 591-2730

Dana Holcomb
Assistant Professor, Director of Field
[email protected]
(231) 591-2763