Program Quick Facts
100% Online
Flexible, online classes let you study anytime, anywhere, so you can balance work and life.
School Social Work Licensure
This certificate helps our MSW students pursue school social work licensure in New Mexico.
Affordable Tuition
NMSU Global Campus offers competitively priced tuition and scholarship opportunities.
Flexible Pathway to Add a School Social Work Focus to Your MSW
The online Graduate Certificate in School Social Work: Special Education Related Services is designed for current Master of Social Work (MSW) students at NMSU who are seeking additional preparation for practice in school settings. By tailoring the elective coursework in their master’s program, students can complete both their MSW and this graduate certificate with just one additional class.
Through the program, you’ll develop specialized knowledge of school systems, student support services, and policies that shape educational settings. You’ll explore evidence-based practices for supporting all students, including those with disabilities, and their families, across school, early childhood, and early education environments.
This graduate certificate is intended to prepare students to meet the requirements for licensure as a School Social Worker in New Mexico, and may meet the requirements for other states.
Apply NowCareer Pathways for School Social Work
The online Graduate Certificate in School Social Work: Special Education Related Services provides training for one of the largest areas of social work practice in New Mexico. Completed alongside the Master of Social Work, it offers focused preparation to practice in school settings.
Graduates of the master’s and certificate program are prepared for roles in this growing field, including:
- School Social Worker
- Early Childhood Behavioral or Mental Health Provider
- Early Childhood Social Worker
- School-Based Behavioral or Mental Health Provider
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Request Information“The professors, they're awesome. As soon as I emailed them, they always e-mailed me back. They respond very quickly and help me with my questions, my assignments. They're very supportive.”
Keila P., Class of 2028
The online Graduate Certificate in School Social Work: Special Education Related Services offers a specialized training pathway for Master of Social Work students, designed to complement the MSW’s generalist curriculum. It equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to become a school social worker and provide special education-related services. As you move through the program, you’ll learn how to:
- Apply the NASW Code of Ethics in School Social Work to practice in social work special education-related services
- Use your understanding of the rights of students with disabilities and their families to describe approaches to advocacy
- Analyze how schools can ensure responsive and inclusive approaches to student diversity
- Examine major education policies that influence school social work practice and the delivery of special education-related services
- Evaluate and apply evidence-based approaches for engagement, assessment, and intervention in social work special education-related services
This certificate was made possible through the Social Work Education to Enhance Training in Special Education (SWEET-SPED) program. Project SWEET-SPED is a three-year, $450,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs. The grant supports institutions of higher education in expanding curricula, coursework, and clinical experiences to better prepare related services personnel to serve children with disabilities and their families across early intervention, early childhood, and school settings.
Delivery Format: 100% online, asynchronous
Program Credits: 13 credits
Program Length: 2 years (program length may vary)
Cost Per Credit Hour: $444.40**
Active Military Cost Per Credit Hour: $250*
College: Health, Education, and Social Transformation
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The online Graduate Certificate in School Social Work: Special Education Related Services requires a total of 13 credits. The curriculum consists of four required courses (10 credits) as well as one elective course (3 credits).
This program builds on the Master of Social Work degree. By carefully planning the MSW elective courses, students can complete this graduate certificate with just one additional course. Students in this certificate program will need to complete their required MSW internship in a school setting.
| Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| ECED 5110: Working with Young Children with Special Needs, Ages 3-8 | 3 |
| SOWK 5281: Advanced Generalist Practicum Seminar I | 2 |
| SOWK 5291: Advanced Generalist Practicum Seminar II | 2 |
| SOWK 5540: Introduction to School Social Work Practice in Diverse Communities | 3 |
| SOWK 5560: Advanced School Social Work Practice: Diverse Students and Families with Special Needs | 3 |
Application Process
Only currently admitted students in NMSU’s online Master of Social Work or on-campus Master of Social Work programs can apply to this program. Before submitting your application, please send a letter of interest describing your rationale to Dr. Stacy Gherardi (sgherard@nmsu.edu). After receiving your letter of interest, the certificate director will confirm your eligibility, and program staff will advise you on a pathway to certificate completion.
Applications to this certificate program are accepted throughout the academic year on a rolling basis.
At NMSU Global Campus, we strive to offer competitively priced tuition to keep your tuition costs affordable. If you need financial aid, we’re ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.
Financial assistance includes loans, grants, and scholarship opportunities. To apply, use NMSU’s convenient Scholar Dollar$ one-stop scholarship application, which serves all students in the NMSU system.
The New Mexico Higher Education Department offers additional support for future and current teachers. The Teacher Preparation Affordability Scholarship helps aspiring educators cover tuition, fees, and materials as they work toward licensure. Licensed teachers may also qualify for up to $6,000 annually in student loan relief through the Teacher Loan Repayment Program, which supports educators who have taught in the state for at least three years, especially in high-need areas.
NMSU and NMSU Global Campus students are also eligible for loans and grants. The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more about financial aid opportunities at NMSU.
Contact Financial Aid
Phone: 1-888-729-6678
Email: globalFA@nmsu.edu
Accreditation
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Specialized accreditation from other accrediting agencies is also granted for some programs. NMSU’s accreditation ensures that your education meets high-quality standards and that your credits are transferable.
*Terms and conditions apply.
**For NMSU Global Campus programs and courses, the per credit hour cost is listed above. Special tuition agreements (Western Undergraduate Exchange, Descubre, etc.) are not applicable to NMSU Global Campus programs. Course fees still apply and are charged separately. Textbooks, uniforms, equipment, etc., are additional program costs. Additional per credit costs might be charged by the program, department or college.