Public child welfare
Explore current opportunities with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Published salaries for qualifying positions have ranged from $49,795.20 to $73,777.60.
Child Welfare
Children and families
Prepare for meaningful work in child welfare.
The Child Welfare Certificate combines specialized coursework, workshops and a yearlong field experience to prepare MSW students for public and private child welfare practice. The program is endorsed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and aligned with state regulatory expectations.
Eligible studentsClinical and OCL
Field experienceTwo semesters in child welfare
Professional alignmentMDHHS endorsed
Career preparation
Enter practice with specialized knowledge and experience.
Certificate graduates may receive hiring preference from public and private agencies and may qualify for a waiver of portions of new-worker training, depending on current agency policy. Clinical students are encouraged to select a trauma-focused elective; OCL students are encouraged to select coursework in supervision or leadership.
Private child welfare
Private agencies offer roles in foster care, adoption, family preservation and related services. Some positions may qualify for federal student-loan forgiveness.
Program cost: There is no additional certificate fee beyond normal tuition and program expenses. Scholarship support may be available.
Program components
Connect child welfare coursework with sustained field practice.
- 01
Yearlong field internship
Complete a two-semester internship in a public or private child welfare setting.
- 02
Foundation courses
Regular MSW students complete SW 811, SW 840 and SW 841. These courses are not required of Advanced Standing students.
- 03
SW 471
Complete the required child welfare course.
- 04
Relevant elective
Complete one approved related course; this requirement may be fulfilled through the MSW core curriculum.
- 05
Professional workshops
Complete two approved child welfare workshops.
Certificate contact
Elizabeth Montemayor, LMSW · montema7@msu.edu
Dual-certificate planning
Build a coordinated plan across related certificates.
Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment
SW 471, an approved policy course such as SW 822, trauma coursework and a placement that satisfies both certificates.
Chance at Childhood
SW 471, an approved policy course such as SW 822, social work and law coursework, and a placement meeting both programs’ expectations.
Advocacy Scholars
An approved policy option, SW 471 and SW 891, plus advanced field work focused on advocacy or policy. Students may use separate placements when needed.
Plan early
Discuss course sequencing and field requirements with both certificate coordinators before committing to a combination.
Field education
Learn alongside Michigan’s child welfare network.
Placements may be available in public agencies, private child welfare organizations, family preservation programs and culturally specific service settings. Availability changes by year and location.
Faculty expertise
Learn from child welfare scholars and practitioners.
