In Pennsylvania, school social work is called “Home-School Visitor Certification.” Individuals with the Home and School Visitor Certification (HSV) provide professional social work services in a variety of K-12 educational institutions. The University of Pennsylvania is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to prepare students to apply to the state for this certification.

Students in the MSW program who wish to complete the HSV certification complete required courses, special seminars, and a school-based field placement in order to meet the requirements set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. These requirements include content on accommodations and adaptations for students with disabilities in an inclusive setting and meeting the needs of English Language Learners.

The Penn Home and School Visitor Certification program is open only to students enrolled in Penn’s Master of Social Work program. Alumni of Penn’s MSW program who have questions about getting their Home and School Visitor certification may contact the Associate Director of Academic Affairs for more information.

In order to be eligible to apply for the Home and School Visitor Certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, students need the following:

• SWRK 724: Developmental Disabilities;
• One of the following courses:
  SWRK 722: Practice with Children and Adolescents;
  SWRK 742: Practice with At-Risk Youth; or
  SWRK 773: Mental Health Challenges with Children and Adolescents;
• Education Law and Policy Seminar (offered in the spring semester; register now for the Spring 2018 seminar);
• One field placement (or comparable work experience) in an accredited school setting under the supervision of an MSW;
• MSW Degree; and
• Pennsylvania Social Work License

Becoming a certified Home and School Visitor is a two-step process. In the first step, students apply to the HSV program at Penn by submitting their intent to obtain the certification. In the second step, after students have completed all of the HSV requirements (outlined above), students submit an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Education to obtain their official certification.

Please note that BOTH steps are required. Even if students have completed the academic requirements for Home and School Visitor certification, certification is not complete or official until the certificate has been issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.