Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work
Program Features
At-a-Glance
- Small class sizes
- Intensive class format offered on Saturdays in summer
- Only two courses required in additional to practicum hours
- Gain additional skills to support students in an educational setting
- Program fully accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)
Overview
School Social Work (SSW) is a challenging and rewarding profession. In schools, social workers often serve as the liaison between parents/guardians, the school administration and the community. School social workers collaborate with other school officials to support students in reaching their academic and personal potential.
Completion of the Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) will allow school social workers to serve as a resource to teachers for behavior and classroom management skills, and to gain the tools needed to address challenges and promote student success.
This post-master’s credential is offered by the College of Continuing Education (CCE), in partnership with the College of Health and Human Services at Sacramento State.
Quick Facts
Audience
This program is intended for social workers seeking to earn a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work. Visit the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for more information about credentialing requirements.
To apply to this program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution AND either a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program or be a current student in the MSW program at Sacramento State. No other master’s degrees will be accepted.
Before submitting documentation toward your PPS credential, candidates must have completed a minimum of 45 semester units or 67.5 quarter units of post-baccalaureate study.
Post-Graduate Applicants
Social work professionals who have a CSWE-accredited MSW may apply to this program. Transcripts must reflect coursework in social work practice with diverse populations.
If you are graduating with your MSW in the spring prior to the start of the summer cohort, you may apply to the program. We are not accepting applicants whose MSW degrees will be in-progress the first day courses start from universities outside of Sacramento State.
Current Master of Social Work Students at Sacramento State may apply to the program. MSW students graduating in the spring may successfully complete the degree requirements for MSW and PPSC in SSW program concurrently.
Advanced Standing MSW graduates may participate in the program; however, they must meet post-baccalaureate unit requirements (45 semester or 67.5 quarter units) and a total of 1000 fieldwork hours to qualify to apply for the credential.
Format
CCE offers the two required courses in the summer term only.
Each course meets in a hybrid schedule, either at the College of Continuing Education from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. -OR- remotely, on five consecutive Saturdays.
2027 Saturday tentative hybrid class meeting dates:
SWRK 238A
- 5/29: in person
- 6/5: in person
- 6/12: in person
- 6/20: remote – synchronous and asynchronous
- 6/26: remote – synchronous and asynchronous
SWRK 238B
- 7/10: in person
- 7/17: remote – synchronous and asynchronous
- 7/24: in person
- 7/31: remote – synchronous and asynchronous
- 8/7: in person
Prerequisites
To apply to this program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution AND either a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program or be a current student in the MSW program at Sacramento State. No other master’s degrees will be accepted.
PPSC candidates must possess a valid Certificate of Clearance in order to count any school-based PPSC hours collected Fall 2025 and onward.
Course Offerings
SWRK 238A – Issues and Practice in Schools – Macro (3 units)
This class is the first of two courses required for students completing their School Social Work Pupil Personnel Services Credential. It is also a SWRK general elective. The course focuses on a macro level framework for social work within the California kindergarten through 12th grade public school system. Students explore the challenges faced by public schools from a systems perspective including influences of federal statutory and regulatory requirements, state and local policies, community demands, and the interface with other child serving systems including child welfare, probation, and mental health.
SWRK 238B – Issues and Practice in Schools – Micro (3 units)
Prerequisite(s): SWRK 238A.
This second course required for students seeking a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in Social Work focuses on micro and mezzo-level social work within the California K-12 public school system. Students will explore the day-to-day aspects of school social work, including issues around confidentiality; mandated reporting; collaborating with students, school staff, caregivers, and families; attendance and behavior management systems; mental health services in schools; special education; crisis intervention; psycho-educational groups; prevention programs; multi-tiered systems of support; positive behavioral interventions and supports; data management and meaningful outcome measures; time management; and self-care.
Also Required
450 clock hours of school-based practice under a qualified person holding a PPS credential, plus 550 fieldwork hours in any setting (may be collected during the MSW program). Participants must complete the school-based fieldwork hours in California, under qualifying supervision, and within seven years of enrolling in the program to apply for the PPSC in School Social Work.
NOTE: Participants are required to find their own placements if they have not completed their fieldwork hours. We offer placement support to our participants through advising, connecting with employers, and creating legal agreements for our participants to be placed at schools. Consultation is available to support the completion of the field experience.
Licensure/Credentialing
Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that participants will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check.
Participants are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to participants who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements is available from the School of Social Work, 6000 J Street, Mariposa Hall 4010, Sacramento, CA 95819, 916-278-6913.
Information Sessions
- 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2027
- 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2027
Employment Outlook
Access career data at the Master of Social Work catalog for Labor Market Insights; enter “School Social Work” into the keyword search.
Costs
Coursework
- Each course is $510* per unit x 3 units = $1,530 per course.
- $1,530 per course x 2 courses = $3,060.
- Fees are due 14 days after each course begins.
*Prices subject to change
Fieldwork
There is an additional field administrative/verification fee of $1,275 that is due after acceptance into the program during summer courses. (This fee is waived for traditional Sacramento State MSW students/graduates whose fieldwork hours are complete and valid for the PPSC in SSW.)
All students holding an advanced standing MSW (including those who were in Sacramento State’s advanced standing MSW program) pay the field administrative/verification fee of $1,275.
Credential
Once you complete the credential requirements, you will receive an email from the CTC requesting payment for the clear credential to complete the process.
How To Apply
Upcoming Dates
Applications for Summer 2027 will open January 4 – March 30, 2027.
Basic Requirements (Program Eligibility)
To apply to this program, you must have a Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution AND meet ONE of the following criteria:
- Already possess your Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited college/university, or
- Are enrolled in Sacramento State’s Master of Social Work program, or
- Expect to graduate from another university with a Master of Social Work degree in the spring in which applications are due
We accept Advanced Standing students; additional advising is available from us for meeting full credential requirements.
Please see our PPSC eligibility infographic for a visual explanation.
We will not accept any other degrees or licenses. Please see the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Requirements for more information.
Submission Steps
Please submit your complete application between Jan. 4 and March 30, 2027, for the Summer 2027 cohort.
A complete application packet includes the following:
- PPSC online application (opens January 2027)
- Personal Statement of Interest (Personal Statement of Interest)
- Two reference grids – one to be completed by each reference (Reference Grid)
- Official transcripts (electronic or sealed physical transcripts) from your bachelor’s degree-granting institution and your master’s degree-granting institution, other than Sacramento State.
- Graduation Date Verification letter from MSW program – if applicable*
*Applicants with an in-progress MSW degree in the spring of the application cycle must provide a Graduation Date Verification letter from their MSW program and include it with their application documents.
All of the above items are necessary for a complete application, except as noted.
The statement and reference grids may be uploaded electronically with the PPSC online application. Please contact the program coordinator if you need assistance with your application materials. DO NOT SUBMIT DUPLICATE APPLICATIONS.
Current Sacramento State MSW students must complete and submit all of the above items (except Sacramento State transcripts) using the PPSC online application. They may schedule an advising appointment with our Faculty Coordinator, Cristina Dobon-Claveau, at her Calendly webpage. (All other applicants may skip this step.)
Official Transcript Submission
Applicants must submit official transcripts from their bachelor’s degree-granting institution and their master’s degree-granting institution, other than Sacramento State.
Electronic Transcripts
For electronic transcript submission systems that allow applicants to enter an e-mail address, please use the following e-mail address: cce-socialworkppsc@csus.edu
Physical Transcripts
Physical transcripts, for those institutions that do not send official transcripts electronically, can be addressed to:
Attn: PPSC program
College of Continuing Education
3000 State University Drive
Sacramento, CA 95819-6103
Fee
A $50 application-processing fee will be collected after eligibility has been determined.
Fieldwork
Although not required at the time of program application, we strongly encourage participants to complete the LiveScan and receive a Certificate of Clearance as soon as possible.
NOTE: Participants are required to find their own placements if they have not completed their fieldwork hours. We offer placement support to our participants through advising, connecting with employers, and creating legal agreements for our participants to be placed at schools. Consultation is available to support the completion of the field experience.
Credential Requirements
Requirements
- Complete the required coursework
- Complete LiveScan (with form 41-LS) and obtain a Certificate of Clearance – Students must possess a valid Certificate of Clearance in order to count any school-based PPSC hours collected in Fall 2025 and onward.
- Finish the required fieldwork
- Basic Skills Requirement – a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education is a demonstration of the basic skills requirement*
You may apply for the credential only after completing these requirements.
*On June 29, 2024, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a budget trailer bill, SB 153 (Chap. 38, Statutes of 2024), that allows candidates to use their bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education as a demonstration of the basic skills requirement, effective immediately. PSA 24-07 Bachelor’s Degree as Demonstration of the Basic Skills Requirement.
NOTE: We offer placement support to our students through advising, connecting with employers, and creating legal agreements for our students to be placed at schools. Consultation is available to support the completion of the field experience.
Credential Processing
The PPS credential process can take about three weeks to process. Once your completed packet is received by us, the program coordinator will then obtain approval from the School of Social Work for you to apply for the clear credential.
Once approved, the program coordinator will send all required documentation to Sacramento State’s Credentials Office. The Credentials Office will process your application for completeness and accuracy. They will go online and recommend you to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for a clear credential.
You will then receive an email from the CTC requesting payment for the clear credential. It takes approximately 7-10 business days after you have been recommended to receive your credential online. You may check on the status of your clear credentials on the CTC website.
Fieldwork Paperwork and Submittal
Students must possess a valid Certificate of Clearance in order to count any school-based PPSC hours collected Fall 2025 and onward.
For a list of items to submit, please find the situation that applies to you from the list of topics below. Please submit all items using the PPSC Paperwork Submittal link.
For best results, save PDF forms to your device, then complete and submit them electronically. Poor reproductions of forms will cause processing delays.
Current Sac State MSW students
- PPSC Verification of Field Requirement form
- PPSC Field Evaluation
- Copies of MSW Field Evaluations (MSW I & MSW II)
- Field Instructor’s/Supervisor’s valid PPSC document number
- Your valid Certificate of Clearance document number (Important:Your personal profile must be created on the CTC website on or before the day you get your fingerprints taken. You must answer the personal fitness questions and pay for your Certificate of Clearance. Find LiveScan locations on the State of California Department of Justice website.)
- Credential Request Form (provided through submittal link above)
- Unofficial Transcript showing that MSW degree has been posted
- Official bachelor’s degree transcripts (except if from Sac State)
Post-master’s students who completed fieldwork during their MSW program
- PPSC Verification of Field Requirement form
- PPSC Field Evaluation
- Copies of MSW Field Evaluations (MSW I & MSW II)
- Field Instructor’s/Supervisor’s valid PPSC document number
- Your valid Certificate of Clearance document number
- (Important:Your personal profile must be created on the CTC website on or before the day you get your fingerprints taken. You must answer the personal fitness questions and pay for your Certificate of Clearance. Find LiveScan locations on the State of California Department of Justice website.)
- Credential Request Form (provided through submittal link above)
- Field administrative/verification fee of $1,275 (you do not need to submit if you completed all your required PPSC fieldwork hours while enrolled in your MSW program at Sac State).
Post-master’s students who completed fieldwork outside of their MSW program
- PPSC Verification of Field Requirement form
- PPSC Field Evaluation
- Field Instructor’s/Supervisor’s valid PPSC document number
- Your valid Certificate of Clearance document number
- (Important:Your personal profile must be created on the CTC website on or before the day you get your fingerprints taken. You must answer the personal fitness questions and pay for your Certificate of Clearance. Find LiveScan locations on the State of California Department of Justice website.)
- Credential Request Form (provided through submittal link above)
- Field administrative/verification fee of $1,275
Post-master’s students currently working on their fieldwork or who will be in the future
- PPSC Verification of Field Requirement form
- PPSC Field Evaluation
- Field Instructor’s/Supervisor’s valid PPSC document number
- Your valid Certificate of Clearance document number
- (Important:Your personal profile must be created on the CTC website on or before the day you get your fingerprints taken. You must answer the personal fitness questions and pay for your Certificate of Clearance. Find LiveScan locations on the State of California Department of Justice website.)
- Credential Request Form (provided through submittal link above)
- Field administrative/verification fee of $1275
FAQ
Can participants use hours from their MSW program to meet the school-based fieldwork requirement?
Participants may use MSW fieldwork hours only if the answer is YES to all of the following questions:
- Were the hours completed within the last seven years in California?
- Did the participant complete school-based fieldwork during your MSW program? (Including Advanced Standing students)
- Were the hours completed under the supervision of someone with their PPSC in School Social Work?
If the answer is NO to any of these questions, then, unfortunately, the hours may not be used to meet the school-based fieldwork requirement.
*Must be in California public school settings: public preschool, elementary, middle, high school, charter schools, school district, County Office of Education, or SELPA. Private schools and contracted agencies are not valid sites. Hours must be supervised by a qualified person holding a PPS credential.
General Questions
Is this program open to all graduates of an accredited MSW program or just to graduates of Sacramento State?
Any social work professional with a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited school may apply. Field hours must be completed in California.
May participants apply if they are graduating in the spring?
Yes. Participants may apply to the program while completing their MSW. A graduation date verification letter from the participant’s MSW program or university must be submitted with application documents stating the expected graduation date is before the first day of PPSC classes begin. Once their degree posts, participants must submit an official transcript.
How much is tuition?
Each course is $510 per unit x 3 units = $1,530 per course. $1,530 per course x 2 courses = $3,060. Fees are due 14 days after each course begins. You may register for one course at a time. Price is subject to change.
What other costs are associated with the program?
A field administrative/verification fee of $1,275 is required of participants after enrollment into the program. Price is subject to change. (This fee is waived for Sacramento State MSW students and alumni whose fieldwork hours are complete and valid for the PPSC in SSW.)
Once participants complete the coursework and fieldwork and have applied for the clear credential, the Credential Analyst communicates about state commission fees.
Is financial aid available?
Financial aid is not available for those enrolled in the PPSC program as participants are not considered matriculated students. However, since the courses are offered for academic credit, participants may apply for a private student loan through their financial institution.
What happens if a class is missed?
Participants are expected to attend all classes and actively participate. Attendance policies are outlined in the course syllabus provided after admission.
May SWRK 238A be taken one summer and SWRK 238B the following summer?
No. Participants are expected to complete both courses during the same summer term in which they apply.
If I have the equivalent of the PPSC in school social work from another state, can I apply for an equivalent document?
Yes, you would apply and submit documentation directly with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Please see more at their page for Out-of-State Services Applicants.
Certificate of Clearance Questions
If a participant has school-based PPSC hours from before Fall 2025, would they need their Certificate of Clearance in order for the hours to count?
No, we will accept PPSC qualifying hours collected prior to Fall 2025 even if the participant did not have a Certificate of Clearance at the time of collection. Beginning Fall 2025, for school-based hours to be PPSC qualifying, participants must have a valid Certificate of Clearance.
Fieldwork Questions
Fieldwork Hours
Do my hours count toward the PPSC fieldwork?
PPSC candidates are required to complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of field experience, of which at least 450 must be PPSC qualifying. Participants can easily check if they have hours that may meet PPSC requirements with our anonymous “Do my hours count?” survey.
How many fieldwork hours are required?
The fieldwork hours must total 1,000, of which 450 hours must be completed in two different California public school settings (with a minimum of 100 hours at each): public preschool, elementary, middle, high school, charter schools, school district, County Office of Education, or SELPA. Private schools and contracted agencies are not valid sites. Hours must be supervised by a qualified person holding a PPS credential. The remaining 550 hours do not need to be school-based, but must be supervised and evaluated.
Participants must complete PPSC qualifying fieldwork hours within seven years of enrolling in the program to apply for the PPS credential.
Check out this visual guide that explains hours and eligibility.
May participants accrue fieldwork hours before I begin taking the PPSC courses?
Yes, participants may accrue fieldwork hours prior to starting the program if they meet the criteria described above; in California, in a qualifying setting, properly supervised and evaluated, within the last seven years. Participants may access advice about their fieldwork hours by making an appointment with the Faculty Coordinator, Cristina Dobon-Claveau, at her Calendly webpage.
Beginning Fall 2025, for school-based hours to be PPSC qualifying, participants must have a valid Certificate of Clearance. We highly recommend participants use our Fieldwork Paperwork in consultation with their supervisor as they accrue hours.
May participants use fieldwork hours from their MSW program?
Yes, if the hours were supervised by a qualified individual holding a PPS credential in California in a qualifying setting, they may count toward the 450 school-based field hours. Otherwise, these hours may be used to meet the remaining 550 non-school-based, hours. Copies of MSW field evaluations must be submitted with fieldwork paperwork. We do not accept fieldwork hours from BSW/BASW programs.
Beginning Fall 2025, for school-based hours to be PPSC qualifying, participants must have a valid Certificate of Clearance. We highly recommend participants use our Fieldwork Paperwork in consultation with their supervisor as they accrue hours.
Does field experience need to be completed before enrolling in the program?
No. Fieldwork may be completed while enrolled in coursework or afterward.
How much time do participants have to complete fieldwork?
Participants must complete all fieldwork hours within seven years of enrolling in the program to be eligible to apply for the PPS credential, though we encourage participants to complete fieldwork within three years.
Placement Questions
What are the duties expected at a field placement?
The primary roles of school social workers are to provide social work services in grades 12 and below, including preschool, and in programs organized primarily for adults. We recommend visiting the California Association of School Social Workers website and reviewing the sample school social worker job description.
Does Sacramento State place students?
No. Participants are responsible for securing their own field placements. Participants should be in the process of obtaining a field placement or actively accruing fieldwork hours through employment or volunteer work in a qualifying public school setting.
We offer placement support through advising, connecting with employers, and creating legal agreements for our participants to be placed at schools. Consultation is available to support the completion of the field experience.
Do participants need liability insurance?
Participants must verify coverage through their school district’s liability insurance. Optional personal coverage may be obtained through NASW.
Do you accept out-of-state fieldwork hours?
Fieldwork hours must be completed in the state of California. We do not accept out-of-state fieldwork hours. No exceptions.
Fieldwork Instructors
Does a field instructor need to have a PPS credential in School Social Work?
Yes. A qualified individual holding a PPSC in School Social Work for more than two years in California must provide field instruction supervision.
In rural areas, if this individual does not have a PPSC in School Social Work, they must have their PPSC in School Psychology or School Counseling and participants must also be dually supervised by someone with an MSW two years post-graduation.
What are the requirements to be a field instructor?
All field instructors must:
- Have their PPSC in School Social Work.
- Have two years of post-PPSC experience.
- Meet weekly with the participant for one hour of individual supervision.
- Work with the participant to develop a learning agreement.
- Complete a field evaluation at the end of the participants’ field placement.
- Not be compensated directly by the participant for supervision. They must be voluntary or school/district compensated.
Credential Questions
How long does it take to obtain the credential once an application is submitted by the participant?
The credential process typically takes at least three weeks. After PPSC candidates submit their complete PPSC paperwork to the program, the program coordinator will obtain approval from the PPSC Faculty Coordinator for the candidate’s credential application to route to Sacramento State’s Credential Analyst. The Credential Analyst will process the application for completeness and accuracy before recommending the PPSC candidate to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for the clear credential. PPSC candidates will then receive an email from the CTC requesting payment for the clear credential. It takes approximately seven to ten business days after the PPSC candidate is recommended and payment is made to for them to receive the clear credential online. PPSC candidates may check the status of their clear credential on the CTC website.
Advanced Standing Students
Advanced Standing students, participants who completed a CSWE-accredited MSW program in an accelerated format, must submit the following with their fieldwork paperwork to apply for the credential:
- Transcripts documenting a minimum of 45 semester units or 67.5 quarter units of post-baccalaureate study.
- Credit deficient PPSC candidates, may access program advising to discuss options.
- Copies of MSW Field Evaluations (MSW I) documenting all hours of experience. All PPSC candidates are required to complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of field experience including at least 450 hours in public pre-schools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, district level and alternative schools divided between a primary setting and a secondary setting (minimum 100 hours).
- If a PPSC candidate is deficient the 1,000 hours total of field experience, they will need to complete hours in addition to the 450-hour requirement in an appropriate school setting to meet the minimum.