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Human Services Management

Leadership and management

Lead human services organizations with purpose.

The Human Services Management Certificate is the School of Social Work’s first certificate designed specifically for Organization and Community Leadership students. It develops the practical leadership capacity required to guide mission-driven organizations and systems.

Human Services Management Certificate report cover
Eligible studentsOCL concentration year
Professional partnerNetwork for Social Work Management
Applied learningLeadership-focused field placement

Professional foundation

Build skill across four management domains.

Executive leadership

Strengthen vision, ethics, governance and organizational decision-making.

Strategic management

Connect mission, planning, evaluation and change leadership.

Resource management

Develop fluency in human, financial and operational resources.

Community collaboration

Lead partnerships, networks and cross-sector initiatives.

Visit the Network for Social Work Management
Network for Social Work Management logo

Program components

Combine focused coursework with leadership practice.

  1. 01

    Core management sequence

    Complete SW 865 in fall and SW 866 in spring.

  2. 02

    Leadership elective

    Complete at least three elective credits in an approved leadership or management area, which may include SW 890.

  3. 03

    Professional development

    Complete six hours of approved leadership conferences, workshops or training.

  4. 04

    Advanced field placement

    Complete an advanced-year placement with defined leadership or management responsibilities.

  5. 05

    Completion review

    Submit the final completion application by mid-semester of your final semester.

Apply for the MSW certificate

Certificate contact

Kelley Blanck, LMSW · kblanck@msu.edu

Common questions

Plan the certificate around your OCL program.

Is this certificate available to Clinical Practice students?

No. The certificate is designed for students in the OCL concentration year.

Can I combine it with another certificate?

Potentially. Work with both certificate coordinators to define field activities that satisfy each program.

Does the regular OCL curriculum satisfy the certificate?

The OCL curriculum supplies the foundation, but students must also complete the certificate’s elective, professional development, field and completion requirements.

How do I enroll?

Identify your interest on the field application. Case-by-case entry may also be possible; consult the coordinator.

Will the certificate appear on my transcript?

No. This is an internal School of Social Work certificate endorsed by the Network for Social Work Management.

Can alumni complete the certificate?

Not currently. It is available to enrolled MSU MSW students.

Resume wording: Human Services Management Certificate (Graduate-Level), Awarded by MSU and the Network for Social Work Managers.

Certificate Programs