Gain Advanced Preparation to Impact Lives with a PPS Credential in School Social Work

Help meet the need for professional social workers equipped to serve children and adolescents in schools. With Azusa Pacific’s Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work and Child Welfare and Attendance, advance your skills with a practice specialization that provides a competitive edge for employment in social work services within P-12 school settings.

Designed as a complement to the MSW degree program, this credential combines a solid theoretical base and evidence-informed practice models related to school social work and child welfare and attendance. Through relevant coursework and fieldwork opportunities, you will learn how to support children, parents, and school personnel while shaping a responsive environment to help children succeed academically and thrive emotionally.

• MSW Students: This credential option is available for APU Master of Social Work students pursuing the clinical practice specialization.
• MSW Degree Holders: Individuals who already hold an MSW degree and have appropriate experience may also qualify for the credential program.

View credential admission details.

Equipping School Social Work Leaders

Stemming from a Christian-based perspective, the PPS credential faculty are committed to preparing a workforce that can advocate for and meet needs within the community and school system. During the credential program, you will:

• Learn to conduct biopsychosocial assessments, intervene in crises, identify community resources and linkages, and participate in interprofessional collaboration and consultation.
• Study alongside faculty who are active practitioners of school social work.
• For those completing the credential with the MSW, participate in fieldwork opportunities in diverse school settings to put learning into practice.
• Benefit from potential opportunities to disseminate research at local, regional, or national conferences with faculty.

Learn more about being a school social worker in California.

This credential option builds on the MSW program’s mission to develop competent advanced social work practitioners who integrate the knowledge, values, and skills of social work to advance social justice and provide services to assist individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities within the school setting.