Program Eligibility

To apply to this program, you must meet ONE of the following criteria:

• Already possess your Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited college/university, or
• Are enrolled in the 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 suggested to meet 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.

Application Process

Summer 2025 cohort application dates: 

• opens – Jan. 3, 2025
• closes – March 29, 2025

A complete application packet includes the following:

• PPSC online application (the link will be live Jan 3-Mar 29)
• 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 all colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State.

All of the above items are necessary for a complete application.

The statement and reference grids may be uploaded electronically with the PPSC online application or may be sent via the upload link provided in the application submission confirmation email. Please contact the program coordinator if you need assistance locating your upload link. 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 reach out to School of Social Work Associate Director, Sarah Reed at sarah.reed@csus.edu for additional advising. (All other applicants may skip this step.)

Applicants with an in-progress MSW degree the spring of the application cycle should provide a graduation verification letter from their MSW program, and include it in their application documents.

Official Transcript Submission

Please submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State. This includes all community colleges you attended. This also includes institutions where you enrolled in classes, but did not complete a degree.

Electronic Transcripts

For electronic transcript submission systems that allow you 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

If you have not completed all 1000 hours of your fieldwork (450 PPSC-specific hours, of which 100 hours should be at a second setting) by the application deadline, you may still apply to the program following the steps above. 

If you have completed all 1000 hours of your fieldwork (450 PPSC-specific hours, of which 100 hours should be at a second setting), we will ask for additional information from you after we have determined your eligibility.

Although not required at the time of application, we strongly encourage students to complete the LiveScan and receive a Certificate of Clearance as soon as possible. 

Please note: Beginning in fall 2025, the Certificate of Clearance must be obtained before collecting PPSC-specific hours. 

NOTE: Students are required to find their own placements if they have not completed their fieldwork hours. 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.

Please click the “Applying for the Credential” tab here.