School Social Worker
School Social Work Network Resource
Understanding AU's School Social Work Track
This program meets Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) requirements to become endorsed as school social workers in Illinois. The program is available as a specialization for students currently enrolled in the Master of Social Work degree, both for traditional or advanced standing students, or as an endorsement-only program for students who have already completed their MSW degree.
Traditional MSW students complete 60 hours; Advanced Standing MSW students complete 30 hours; and post-MSW students complete 15 hours. All students complete a two-semester, 600-hour internship in a public-school district setting approved by both AU and ISBE. Please take time to review our AU PEL Internship Expectations for both our AU student, as well as you as the Field Supervisor.
School Social Work Track Courses
Traditional and advanced standing students will take the following five courses:
- SWK 5620: Exceptional Children
- SWK 6410: SSW Policy & Practice I (fall semester)
* Note: this course requires the student to complete an SDS and write an FBA and BIP, as well as IEP goals. - SWK 6750: Field Experience III (fall semester)
- SWK 6420: SSW Policy & Practice II (spring semester)
- SWK 6760: Field Experience IV (spring semester)
Post-MSW students will take the following five courses:
- SWK 5620: Exceptional Children
- SWK 6410: SSW Policy & Practice I (fall semester)
* Note: this course requires the student to complete an SDS and write an FBA and BIP, as well as IEP goals. - SWK 6650: Advanced Field Experience I (fall semester)
- SWK 6420: SSW Policy & Practice II (spring semester)
- SWK 6660: Advanced Field Experience II (spring semester)
Suggested Timeline for PEL Internship Experience
AUGUST - Student orientation to school and district, including direct discussion about intern's and Field Supervisor's visions of intern responsibilities. Discuss specifically when student will be responsible for managing a caseload of students - some students manage this task immediately, while others work towards this task mid-internship. Consider using the Developmental Stages of Learning worksheet (see below) to assess your student's learning style. Establish Tevera account. Confirm intern's final end date for Spring semester. Complete weekly supervision, allowing for a minimum of one-hour of intentional talk time with the student. Sign monthly time log in Tevera.
SEPTEMBER - Complete weekly supervision, allowing for a minimum of one-hour of intentional talk time with the student. Complete intern's Learning Agreement, and student submits in Tevera around the 75-hour mark. Sign monthly time log in Tevera. Sample Social Work Learning Agreement* Please do not allow your AU intern to simply copy and paste into their document; rather, let this sample guide a discussion about appropriate learning activities for them to consider completing during their two semesters with you.
OCTOBER through DECEMBER - Complete weekly supervision, allowing for a minimum of one-hour of intentional talk time with the student. Complete site visit with student's AU Field Liaison and complete midterm evaluation in Tevera account. Sign monthly time logs in Tevera.
JANUARY - Review intern's and Field Supervisor's visions of intern responsibilities. Discuss specifically when student will be responsible for managing a caseload of students. Consider using the Developmental Stages of Learning worksheet (see below) to again assess your student's learning style. Complete weekly supervision, allowing for a minimum of one-hour of intentional talk time with the student. Sign monthly time logs in Tevera.
FEBRUARY and MARCH - Complete weekly supervision, allowing for a minimum of one-hour of intentional talk time with the student. Sign monthly time logs in Tevera.
APRIL - Complete weekly supervision, allowing for a minimum of one-hour of intentional talk time with the student. Sign monthly time logs in Tevera. Complete final evaluation in Tevera account.
MAY - Complete weekly supervision, allowing for a minimum of one-hour of intentional talk time with the student. Sign final time logs in Tevera.
*NOTE: May 2023 graduates must have their 600 hours completed by Friday, May 5, 2022, as they will not be a student of record and covered under AU's liability insurance beyond May 5. Students may finish out the school year in their district as long as the school district assumes liability over the student as either a paid stipend student or a school volunteer. As a last resort, the student can consider paying for their own liability insurance as well.
Illinois Professional Educator's License (PEL) with School Social Work Endorsement Program