The Need
Across the United States, children are facing an unprecedented mental health emergency. According to a 2020 UNICEF report, the United States ranked 36th out of 38 high income countries for child wellness as measured by their mental well-being, physical health, and opportunities to develop academic skills. Another recent analysis (Peverill, M. et al., 2021) found that as many as one in six children in the United States have been diagnosed with a mental health (MH) disorder and that nearly half of those children have not received mental health treatment. Our community partners increasingly report the growing need for a well-trained behavioral health workforce specializing in children and youth.
MSW Certificate for Child and Youth Behavioral Health
In response to this growing crisis and workforce need, the UConn School of Social Work has launched a Certificate for Child and Youth Behavioral Health for students in our MSW program. The certificate will prepare MSW students to provide evidence-based, anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and culturally and linguistically inclusive mental health services for children and youth. To earn the certificate, students must complete three required courses and an advanced year of practicum placement that addresses child and youth behavioral health, for a total of 17 credits. As these requirements will also satisfy existing degree requirements, this certificate does not add any additional cost or time to the degree.
Eligibility
- MSW Student (current student or accepted into the UConn MSW program)
- Concentration: Individuals, Groups & Families
- Campus: Hartford
Required Coursework
- IGFP 5345 Clinical Conditions with Children and Adolescents (3 credits)
- SPTP 5318: Core Components and Skills for Trauma-Informed Practice with Children and Youth (3 credits).
- And one of the following:
- SWEL 5318: Child & Adolescent Trauma and Mental Health (3 credits);
- DSEL 5310: Evidence Based Practice/ Family Intervention: Current Trends (3 credits);
- DSEL 5320 Direct Practice in School (3 credits):
- HBEL 5381: Child Maltreatment: History, Theory, Prevention and Intervention (3 credits)
To Apply
When:
- Incoming students:During the admission process
- Current students: Apply in your first semester
For questions applicants for our MSW programs contact Kathy Birnie at kathy.birnie@uconn.edu
For questions for current MSW students please contact Rachel Schwartz at rachel.schwartz@uconn.edu
*Contingent Upon Final Approval of the University of Connecticut’s Board of Trustees