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.

I am graduating in the spring. May I apply to the program?

Yes, you may apply to the program. Proof of graduation is required with your application, e.g. a signed letter from the university stating an expected graduation date or graduation evaluation signed by the degree evaluator. Once your degree is posted, you 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?

There is an additional field administrative/verification fee of $1,275 that is due after acceptance into the program and before the summer courses begin. Price is subject to change. (This fee is waived for Sacramento State MSW students/graduates whose fieldwork hours are complete and valid for the PPSC in SSW.) 

Once you complete the coursework and fieldwork and have applied for your clear credential, the Credentials Office will inform you about the state commission fees. 

Is financial aid available?

Unfortunately, PPSC students are not considered matriculated students; therefore, financial aid is not available. However, since the courses are offered for academic credit, you may apply for a private student loan through your bank or financial institution.

What if I have to miss a class?

You are expected to attend all classes and actively participate.  Please see your course syllabus about the attendance policy after admission to the program.

May I take SWRK 238A this summer and SWRK 238B next summer?

You are expected to take both courses for the summer in which you apply. 

Fieldwork Questions

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.

Students must complete fieldwork hours within seven years of enrolling in the program to apply for the PPS credential. 

May I accrue fieldwork hours before I begin taking the PPSC courses?

Yes, if you interned at a school during your MSW program or worked at one after you graduated with your MSW within the last seven years, your fieldwork hours may count. You may access advice about your fieldwork hours through the School of Social Work by contacting Associate Director, Dr. Sarah Reed.

Starting fall 2025, you must possess your Certificate of Clearance before collecting any fieldwork hours. We highly recommend using our Fieldwork Paperwork in consultation with your supervisor as you accrue hours.

May I use fieldwork hours from my MSW program?

Yes, if you were supervised by a qualified person holding a PPS certification in California. Copies of your MSW field evaluations will need to be submitted with your fieldwork paperwork. We do not accept fieldwork hours from BSW/BASW programs.

Starting fall 2025, you must possess your Certificate of Clearance before collecting any fieldwork hours. We highly recommend using our Fieldwork Paperwork in consultation with your supervisor as you accrue hours.

Does my field experience need to be completed before enrolling in the program?

No, you can complete your fieldwork while taking the courses or after.

How much time do I have to complete fieldwork?

You must complete your fieldwork hours within seven years of enrolling in our program to be eligible to apply for the PPS certification. We recommend visiting the California Association of School Social Workers website and reviewing the sample school social worker job description. 

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?

If fieldwork hours are not complete, you should be in the process of obtaining a field placement or completing your fieldwork hours through employment or volunteer work in a public school setting. You are responsible for securing your own field placement.

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. 

Does my field instructor need to have a PPS certification in school social work?

A qualified person holding a PPS credential in school social work in California must provide field instruction supervision.

In rural areas, if this person does not have a PPS credential in school social work, they must have their PPS in school psychology or school counseling and we require that you are dually supervised by someone with an MSW two years post-graduation.

Do I need liability insurance?

You will need to check to make sure you are covered under your school district’s liability insurance for its personnel or volunteers. If you would like to obtain your own insurance, you can do so 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.

What are the requirements to be a field instructor?

Field instructors must:

• All supervisors must have their PPSC in school social work. The only exception is in rural areas. Then the supervisor may have their PPSC in any field, but an additional person with their MSW must also sign off on your paperwork.
• Have two years of post-PPS experience.
• Meet weekly with you for one hour of individual supervision.
• Work with you to develop a learning agreement.
• Complete a field evaluation at the end of your field placement.
• Not be compensated directly by the student for supervision. They must be voluntary or school/district compensated.

Credential Questions

How long does it take to obtain the credential once I submit my application?

It will take at least 3 weeks. Once your application is received, the program coordinator will obtain approval from the Division of Social Work for you to apply for the clear credential. Once approved, the program coordinator will send all required documentation to the Credentials Office at Sacramento State, which will process your application for completeness and accuracy. They will go online and recommend you to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). 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 clear credential online. You may check on the status of your clear credential on the CTC website. 

Advanced Standing Students

If you are an Advanced Standing student, you will need to submit the following in addition to other fieldwork paperwork to apply for the credential:

• Transcripts documenting a minimum of 45 semester units or 67.5 quarter units of post-baccalaureate study.
  • If you are credit deficient, please access program advising to discuss your options through the College of Continuing Education, the CSUS School of Social Work, or the CSU Open University system.
• Copies of MSW Field Evaluations (MSW I) documenting all hours of experience. 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 you are deficient in your 1,000 hours total of field experience, you will need to complete hours in addition to the 450-hour requirement in an appropriate school setting to meet the minimum.