Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work

Program Overview Sacramento2 months

Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work

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.

CCE proudly offers the post-master’s Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) in SSW, in partnership with the College of Health and Human Services at Sacramento State.

INFORMATION SESSIONS

Prospective students register below to learn about our Summer 2025 PPSC program cohort, including enrollment and credential requirements, followed by a Q&A.

  • From noon – 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, on Zoom
  • From 3 – 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2025, in-person at Mariposa Hall, Room 5002 (coffee, tea, and hot chocolate provided). Please fill out this survey if you plan to attend.   
  • From 4 – 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, on Zoom
  • From 5 – 6 p.m. Monday, March 10, 2025, on Zoom

Benefits

  • Small class sizes
  • Intensive class format offered on Saturdays in summer
  • Gain additional skills to excel in an educational setting
  • Program fully accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Audience

This program is intended for those who wish to earn a credential in school social work. Visit the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for more information about credentialing options.

To apply to this program, you must either have your 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, you 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 current MSW students from universities outside of Sacramento State at this time. 

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.

> Current Master of Social Work Students at Sacramento State

MSW students graduating in the spring may successfully complete the degree requirements for MSW and PPSC in SSW program concurrently. 

Advanced Standing MSW Students: 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.

Structure

Required courses are delivered in person each Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

  • SWRK 238A – Issues and Practice in Schools – Macro (3 units)

Introduces the student to the field of school social work in its dynamic social, educational, legal, political, and human complexity. Examines the challenges of rapid social and demographic change in California as well as the need for restructuring education and innovative responses.

  • SWRK 238B – Issues and Practice in Schools – Micro (3 units)

Continuation of SWRK 238A, course examines classroom management, case assessment, alternative education practices, discipline and attendance law, impediments to individual development as well as case studies, interagency collaboration, new community partnerships, and media and high technology uses.

Plus 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). Students must complete fieldwork hours in California and within seven years of enrolling in the program to apply for the PPS credential. Please visit our FAQ section for additional information.

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. 

Licensure/Credentialing

Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students 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. 

Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements.  The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to students 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.

Fees

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. You may register for one course at a time.

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 Sacramento State MSW students/graduates whose fieldwork hours are complete and valid for the PPSC in SSW.) 

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. 

*Prices subject to change

Tentative Schedule: Summer 2025

CCE offers the two required courses in the summer term only.

Each course meets in person at the College of Continuing Education from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on five consecutive Saturdays. 

2025 in-person Saturday class meeting dates:

  • SWRK 238A – 5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28
  • SWRK 238B – 7/12, 7/19, 7/26, 8/2, 8/9