Social work certificates

Social work certificates can offer students and professionals valuable knowledge and skill-building in social work practice areas, including interpersonal practice, advocacy, community organizing, research, and more.

Whether you’re a student looking to broaden your education or a professional interested in specializing in your social work practice, there are many certificate programs available to help you achieve your goals.

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Why earn a social work certificate online?

Study and learn while you continue to work

Earning a social work certificate online allows you to continue working in your career while expanding your social work knowledge.

Specialize your social work practice

A social work certificate can help you specialize your work with clients in addiction work, trauma-informed care, or other practice areas.

Expand beyond your primary field of study

If your primary degree isn’t in social work, a social work certificate can demonstrate your expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion, mental health, or research.

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What you’ll learn in a social work certificate program

Social work certificates are designed for learners from many educational and professional backgrounds. They can focus on one of many facets of social work theory and practice.

Social work certificate programs may focus on:

Trauma-informed practice
Research
Social change
Mental health and addictions
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Integrated health
Social work history

Many edX certificate programs require two courses or about three months of learning for four to six hours per week.

With a social work certificate, you can expect to bring expertise in cultural competency, interpersonal communication, and social change to your work.

What can you do with a certificate in social work?

A social work certificate offers an opportunity for those interested in switching careers to explore a field of social work before deciding to .

There are many career pathways available to master’s-level social workers, and a certificate in social work can offer a glimpse into some micro-, mezzo-, and macro-level applications of social work practice.

For those who already hold a graduate degree in social work, a certificate can help you to specialize your social work practice. Holding a social work certificate in mental health or trauma can help you to advance in your career quickly and effectively, deepening your knowledge and expanding your skill set.

If you are a student or professional in a discipline other than social work, a social work certificate can set you apart from other candidates in your field, offering training in diversity, equity, and inclusion, trauma-informed care, and social change that can apply to a broad range of professional roles.

Social and human services assistants

Social and human services assistants work for nonprofit organizations, social service agencies, and government entities to help people connect with community resources to enhance their lives, including housing, medical services, employment support, and food assistance. A social work certificate can help you prepare for and stand out in this role.

Required skills for social and human services assistants include:

Collaborative problem-solving
Empathy
Active listening
Time management
Cultural competency
Service coordination

Here is some salary and job outlook data for social and human services assistants, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

Median annual salary (May 2023):$41,410
Projected employment growth (2023–33): 8%

Careers in social work with more education

Most careers in the field of social work require a degree and a state license. Thus, while you can apply what you learn from a social work certificate in your current role — or in conjunction with expertise gained from a degree in another field — it is important to consider pursuing a degree beyond a social work certificate.

With a and a license in your state, you can work as a:

Case manager
Child welfare specialist
Research assistant
Social services assistant
Mental health technician

With a and a license in your state, you can work as a:

Clinical social worker
Medical social worker
School social worker
Substance use counselor
Policy analyst
Community organizer

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a social work certificate and a certification?

A social work certificate serves as evidence of the education you received by completing a program offered by a college, while a certification is a professional credential granted by an organization in your industry, like the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Is a social work certificate worth it?

A social work certificate can help set you apart from other professionals in your field with specialized knowledge and skills based on social work competencies and values.

What social work program is right for me?

The right social work program for you is the one that will best prepare you to reach your unique goals, whether you dream of being a clinical therapist, a policy analyst, or a community organizer.

Can I get a job in social work with a certificate?

While most jobs in social work require a bachelor’s or master’s degree and licensing in your state, it is possible to work as a social services assistant with a certificate in social work. A social work certificate can help you learn more about the field and potentially help you decide if pursuing a degree in social work is right for you.

Published June 27, 2025