SOCW Certificates and Licensures
The School of Social Work offers two graduate certificates – Gerontology and Substance Use Disorders – courses that lead to School Social Work Licensure through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. These programs provide students with specialized competencies focusing on the population they desire to serve. The graduate certificate in treating substance use disorders is only offered to current MSW graduate students seeking to become Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, while the Gerontology certificate helps to prepare students who are interested in working with the elderly population. The School Social Work Licensure is open to both undergraduate and graduate social work students who have a desire to become a school social worker.
Graduate Certificate in Treating Substance Use and Mental Health Condition
Program Description
ECU School of Social Work Certificate in Treating Substance Use and Mental Health Conditions is designed to prepare graduate-level students to provide evidence-based clinical care to individuals and families affected by substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. The certificate emphasizes integrated treatment approaches, ensuring that students develop the knowledge, skills, and clinical judgment necessary to address the complex and interrelated nature of co-occurring conditions. The program is intentionally structured to support progress toward licensure as a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS) through the North Carolina Addiction Specialist Professional Practice Board (NCASPPB), by aligning the required coursework, addiction-specific education hours, and supervised clinical experience.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this certificate commonly pursue careers across behavioral health, human services, and multidisciplinary systems that address substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. They work in integrated, community-based, medical, legal, and correctional environments, contributing to prevention, assessment, intervention, and care coordination. Their training supports collaboration across disciplines while applying culturally responsive approaches to complex and diverse client needs.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Treating Substance Use and Mental Health Conditions is designed to complement students’ existing graduate education and clinical training. Admission is competitive and based on program capacity and course availability.
Specific Requirements
- Completion of the Graduate Certificate Student Application
- Notification to the assigned academic advisor of intent to pursue the certificate
- Current enrollment in a qualifying graduate program
- Maintenance of good academic standing throughout participation in the certificate
- Approval by the program or certificate coordinator
Declaration Timeline
Students are encouraged to declare their intent to pursue the certificate early in their graduate program to ensure appropriate course sequencing and field placement alignment.
Program Requirement
The Graduate Certificate in Treating Substance Use and Mental Health Conditions requires completion of addiction-focused coursework that develops competencies in assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and intervention for substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based, integrated, and culturally responsive care across clinical settings. Students also complete supervised field-based learning with required clinical supervision provided by a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) or Clinical Supervisor Intern (CSI), supporting alignment with professional standards and licensure preparation.
Gerontology Minor
The gerontology minor augments major fields of study with an overview of issues confronting older adults, their families, and service providers. In recognition that aging can be viewed from a variety of perspectives, students can choose courses from several academic disciplines. Courses with aging as their primary content that are not listed as electives may be counted toward the program with the approval of program coordinator. Social work majors may use 3 s.h. of SOCW 4990 if their placement is in an aging-related setting. The minor requires 18 s.h. of credit.
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
The graduate certificate in gerontology builds upon undergraduate education or work experience through course work in aging studies. The 12 s.h. program includes a 3 s.h. core course and 9 s.h. of selected electives.
School Social Work Licensure
The School Social Work Licensure program is available to qualifying undergraduate and graduate students. School Social Workers are trained mental health professionals with a degree in social work who provide services related to a person’s social, emotional and life adjustment to school and/or society. School Social Workers are the link between the home, school and community in providing direct as well as indirect services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students’ academic and social success. Requirements for completion of this program are:
BACHELOR’S – Undergraduate Requirements for NC “A” Level Licensure:
- Candidates for licensure must hold a baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program and complete the following courses: SOCW 4503 Social Work Services in Schools (3sh), EDUC 3200 Foundations of American Education (3sh)
- Plus one of the following: SPED 2000 Introduction to Exceptional Children (2sh) or SPED 5101 Introduction to Individuals with Disabilities (3sh)
- In addition, candidates are required to complete a one-semester (360 hour) field placement in a public school setting under the supervision of a licensed school social worker who holds a social work degree from a CSWE accredited program.
MASTER’S – Graduate Requirements for NC “M” Level Licensure (Applies to ECU Advanced Standing Candidates completing 42 semester hours):
- Candidates for licensure must hold a baccalaureate and/or graduate degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program and have completed the following course matrix: SOCW 6004 Social Work Services in Schools (3sh) and SPED 5101 Introduction to Individuals with Disabilities (3sh)
- In addition, candidates are required to complete a two semester (720 hour) field placement in a public school setting under the supervision of a licensed school social worker who holds a graduate social work degree from a CSWE accredited program.
SPECIALIST – Graduate Requirements for NC “S” Level Licensure:
- Candidates for licensure must hold a graduate degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program with a minimum of 60 earned credit hours and have completed the following course matrix: SOCW 6004 Social Work Services in Schools (3sh) and SPED 5101 Introduction to Individuals with Disabilities (3sh)
- In addition, candidates are required to complete a two semester (720 hour) field placement in a public school setting under the supervision of a licensed school social worker who holds a graduate social work degree from a CSWE accredited program.
Note: Advanced Standing MSW graduates are not eligible for “S” level license as only 42 semester hours of graduate coursework is required for this pathway. Advanced Standing Candidates seeking Specialist “S” licensure should complete the traditional 60 credit hour MSW program.
Integrated Behavioral Health with Rural Youth
This certificate equips graduates to work in integrated health settings to address the mental health needs of children and youth in rural communities. It is offered by the MSW, Counseling, Psychology and MFT programs and can be completed through the MSW programs 3 required electives and a May capstone workshop.For more information click here.
The certificates website is here: https://education.ecu.edu/idp/integrated-behavioral-health-with-rural-youth/
Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students
ECU degree programs satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams. However, requirements in other states may be different.
If you are considering a degree program that may, would, could or potentially lead to a professional license and/or certification, please note that at this time ECU may or may not be able to advise whether a program meets requirements outside of North Carolina. Prior to enrolling in a degree program, please discuss this important topic with your program of interest.