Social Work in Schools Certification

Illinois Licensure Testing System Requirement

Each person in the State of Illinois who is seeking a Professional Educator License Endorsed in School Social Work Program must take and pass either:

• The Test of Academic Proficiency (formerly called the Basic Skills Test). Go to the Illinois Certification Testing System web page for complete information such as test dates, fees and registration.

OR

• ACT/SAT in lieu of Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP). The student must have received a composite ACT Plus Writing score of at least 22 and a minimum 19 in combined English/Writing; or a composite (mathematics and critical reading) SAT score of 1030 and a minimum 450 in writing. The writing portion must have been taken for each test.

Students must also take and pass the School Social Work Content exam. Both requirements must be met before the student can start the internship.

Course Requirements

• SWK 610 - Advanced Social Work Practice: Models within a Family Context
• SWK 664 - School Social Work

• Current Students will be required to take these courses in addition to the general curriculum. Post MSW students will not need to take SWK 610. Current and Post MSW students:

  • Must acquire a B- or better in all courses except field and practice, which require a B or better grade.
  • Based on requirements from the State of Illinois, students who have a C- or lower in any course cannot obtain their Professional Educator License Endorsed in School Social Work. However, students may choose to retake any course with a grade below B- at their expense.

Internship Requirements

Current MSW students

• Complete your first-year supervised field internship with a minimum of 480 contact hours. (Supervisor must have a master’s degree or higher.)

• Complete your second-year supervised internship with a minimum of 600 contact hours in a P-12 school setting for the academic year (two semesters) through June. Supervisor must possess a master’s degree or higher and have a Professional Educator License Endorsed in School Social Work (formerly Type 73 Certificate)

Post-MSW Students

• Perform a minimum of 600 contact hours in a K-12 school setting for the academic year (two semesters) through June. MSW Post Master’s students are highly valued and sought after. Most schools are willing to negotiate a lessening of hours during the week for the Post MSW student. Some schools have specialized placements for the Post MSW students (reduced hours).
• Your supervisor must possess a master’s degree or higher in school social work and hold a Professional Educator License Endorsed in School Social Work (formerly Type 73 Certificate)
• Your internship schedule will be agreed upon by the host school and Dominican’s director of field placement.

Please note:

• Students must acquire a B- or better in all courses except field and practice, which require a B or better grade
• Based on the State of Illinois, students who have a C- or lower in any course will not be eligible for the Professional Educator License Endorsed in School Social Work
• Content-area test:  A candidate shall pass the content-area test prior to beginning the last semester or term of his or her internship.

Getting the Certificate

Upon successful completion of the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) or ACT/SAT, required courses, school internship and criminal background check, all candidates must complete and successfully pass the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) 184 School Social Worker Test.

Once the student passes the ILTS 184, the student must contact the Director of Field Placement. The Director of Field Placement will send a letter to Dominican’s Licensure Officer, indicating that the student successfully completed all requirements. The Director of Field Placement will also provide the student with Dominican’s Licensure Officer’s contact information. The student must follow up with the Certification Officer to complete the process.