Loyola University Chicago

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Certificates

Post-Master's Certification in School Social Work Program

This program is for graduates with an M.S.W. degree from an accredited School of Social Work who are seeking the required courses and field placement for certification as a school social worker in Illinois (Type 73 certificate).

The length of the program is one semester to a year, depending upon the experience students bring to the program. A minimum of two courses and a supervised field placement in an approved school are required for this certification.

For more information or to apply, please click here.

Certificate of Advanced Study in Philanthropy

Philanthropy and the nonprofit sector is a dynamic field in which to build a career. It includes 1.5 million organizations, employs more than 10 million people, has assets worth two trillion dollars and touches almost every facet of American life. Individuals with the skills and knowledge to effectively engage in the field are in great demand. The Philanthropy and Nonprofit Sector certificate program at Loyola University Chicago was developed in 1998 to promote and enhance the study and practice of this field by offering a high-quality professional development program. Students gain professional skills and expertise in nonprofit management, strategic planning, utilization of foundation resources and grantmaking.

People interested in public service, philanthropy and community-building work, regardless of their fields of specialization, benefit from participation in the program. Private and corporate grant-making foundations and nonprofit organizations are involved in every aspect of societal engagement from community development to health to world peace. Therefore, expertise in the distribution of philanthropic resources as well as improving the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations is invaluable whether someone is a community-service practitioner, researcher or policymaker.

The Philanthropy and Nonprofit Sector program is open to graduate students across the university's various academic departments, as well as to professionals who want to further their knowledge and expertise in this area. This innovative educational program combines formal classroom instruction with an internship learning experience, and draws on the rich array of knowledge and expertise found in nonprofit organizations and philanthropic institutions in the Chicago area.

The program covers a 12-month period and consists of a three-course sequence that provides in-depth understanding of the underlying theory, practice and public policy issues surrounding the field of philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. Each of the three courses is three graduate credit hours. Upon completion of the nine-credit-hour program, students are awarded a Certificate of Advanced Study in Philanthropy. Graduates from the program consistently report positive changes in their career options as a result of their participation in the program. They secure positions as grantmakers in foundations and grant programs, as administrators and development personnel in nonprofit organizations, and other challenging positions in both the public and private sectors.

In addition to the primary coursework, students have opportunities to participate in various seminars, public forums and research projects sponsored by the program.

For more information or to apply, please click here. You may also want to visit the Philanthropy program's Website, www.luc.edu/philanthropy.

Family and School Partnerships Program- Certificate in Advanced Practice in Schools

Eligibility:  Applicants must possess a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)  or related graduate degree.  Since this program is designed to develop advanced practice skills in school-based professionals, it is recommended that applicants be employed full- or part-time, or plan to seek employment in schools or other kinds of educational settings.  It is for these professionals that FSPP's CAPS program will be most relevant.

Loyola's Family and School Partnerships Certificate Program is the only program of its kind in the Midwest. This post-graduate certificate program is designed to help school-based mental health professionals better assist students in both their academic and psychosocial development. The program provides innovative models for engaging families and sustaining their involvement in partnerships with school professionals.

In this certificate program, participants learn an integrated "whole school approach" to school-based practice. Participants are trained to do high quality, innovative, evidence-based and strength-based work with students, their families, and the systems in which they work. They gain practical knowledge and skills, both remedial and preventive, to help students with identified problems and to assist students in "regular" programs overcome obstacles to academic success and healthy psychosocial development.

Participants meet in small groups led by senior faculty with 15 to 30 years of experience in school-based practice, and participants have the opportunity to work with experts in all areas of practice with children and families. The program incorporates a dynamic mix of rigorous consultation around cases and systems issues, as well as didactic instruction. It is ideal for school social workers, both experienced or novice, as well as other psychological and support staff, such as psychologists and counselors. This is the right program for professionals who want to become leaders in their districts and in the larger professional community and to work toward a better integration of children's mental health and academic needs in schools.

Additional benefits of participation for all tracks within the program:

Participants gain Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and hours necessary for licensure (LCSW, LSW, CPDU, LCPC, LPC, and Certificate of Attendance) as part of the program. In many districts, this qualifies them for salary increases. Because of Loyola's reputation in the community, many districts offer tuition reimbursement. Significant scholarships are available for participants working with low-income and/or minority populations.

Program Description: Students choose among three different tracks of study:

  • Track I: Certificate in Advanced Practice in Schools is a 2-year intensive program requiring participation in the following to earn the certificate:

One bi-weekly consultation group for two consecutive years (38 hours per year, sufficient for LCSW licensure) Eight workshops, four hours each, over two consecutive years. Workshops meet four times a year and focus on school-based practice. They are usually offered on Saturday mornings. One five-day Intensive Summer Training Conference. (6 hours per day for 5 days = 30 hours total)

  • Track II: Flexible Certificate Program enables professionals to complete all components of the certificate program at their own pace and earn a Certificate of Advanced Practice in Schools.
  • Track III: Open Participation allows for professionals to participate in one or more components of the certificate program and apply hours toward the Track II Certificate.

Location: This certificate program is based at Loyola's Water Tower Campus 820 N. Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Consultation groups are held in communities throughout the city and suburbs.

For more information or to apply, please click here.