Social Work in Schools Certification

Illinois Licensure Testing System Requirement

Each person in the State of Illinois who is seeking a Professional Educator License (PEL) Endorsed in School Social Work Program must take and pass the 238 Content Exam.

GETTING THE CERTIFICATE

Upon successful completion of the required courses, school internship and criminal background check, all candidates must complete and successfully pass the 238 Content Exam.

Once the student passes the ILTS 184 ( 238 Content Exam) , 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.

Students interested in the Schools track must complete the required coursework as well as adhere to the Illinois licensure testing requirement. In order to be a licensed school social worker, students must pass the 238 content exam. Information on the 238 Content Exam can be found here: https://www.il.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/IL238_TestPage.html

Short-term Approvals for School Support Personnel

Licensure for LSWs and LCSWs working in schools due to shortages

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) allows Post MSW Social Workers to seek admittance into the Short-Term Approval Process if they meet these requirements. Approvals (isbe.net) 

Internship requirements are completed as part of employment if the work experience and role meet the requirements for school social work licensure. This is subject to review upon admission. 

Before application to Dominican University’s School of Social Work (SSW) 

1.     Set up an Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) account: https://www.isbe.net/pages/educator-licensure-information-system.aspx

2.     Pay the $50 fee and apply online through the ELIS system for Short Term Approval by completing ISBE form 83-86: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/83-86.pdf 

3.     Take  and pass the content exam: Tests (nesinc.com) 

At the time of application, the application must include: 

·       Evidence of LSW or LCSW licensure (Screenshot or print out from IDFPR with license number) 

·       Screenshot of credentials page showing short-term approval in ELIS account 

·       Provide evidence that supervisor has a PEL and 2 years post-masters experience in school social work in Illinois. If you do not have access to supervision from someone with the above criteria, see below. (Provide name of supervisor and IEIN and a resume) 

·       Provide evidence of passing the content exam for School Social Work through Illinois Licensure Testing System. Must be a screenshot of testing page in ELIS account. 

After application 

1.     School of Social Work’s Director of Field Education will confirm with Dominican University licensing officer that the student’s ELIS account in fact shows that the applicant has a Short-Term Approval. 

2.     Applicants will meet with the SSW’s School Social Work Representative for the PEL in order to verify that the current work experience meets the criteria for a PEL, and create a plan for addressing any deficiencies in the workplace. 

3.     Complete a Contract between SSW and District 

4.     An acceptance decision will be made. 

To complete the Short-Term Approval Process, enrolled students must meet the following requirements 

1.     SWK 664: School Social Work 

2.     SPED 522: Exceptional Students: Characteristics and the Special Education Process 

3.     SWK 611: Field Practicum III 

4.     SWK 651: Field Practicum IV 

5.     One year of work experience under a Short-Term Approval-9 month internship  

6.     Evidence of a proficient or higher evaluation rating from employer (must use a School Social Work-specific Evaluation rubric, such as Danielson Model rubric adapted for School Social Workers) - This evaluation form must be completed upon completion of the field experience. School_Social_Worker_Evaluation_Rubric.doc 

The cost to complete the Short Term Approval process is the same as the cost of the full Post-MSW PEL program 

Course Requirements

• SWK 610 - Advanced Generalist Practice I:Interventions
• 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 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.