DP-Home and School Visitor/ School Social Worker Certificate

The Home and School Visitor/ School Social Work Certificate enhances professional competency in the development and delivery of high-quality social work services to diverse student populations in both public and private elementary and secondary schools. The HSV/SSW is an interprofessional Educational Specialist certificate, operated jointly with University of Pittsburgh School of Education and by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, intended for students who plan to deliver social work services in elementary or secondary schools. 

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the HSV/SSW state certificates are recognized and required by school districts. In the 1930s, the School of Social Work was the first university to offer a Home and School Visitor certificate, a program started by Pitt faculty member and social work practitioner Marion Hathway.  

Students complete Direct Practice specialization requirements as well as those of the certificate. DP students in this certificate complete 15 course credits, including four courses from the School of Education, and 12 practicum credits focused on school social work.