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Department of Social Work Education

Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential Program:

School Social Work and CWA Authorizations Only

NOTE: For information on the PPS in School Counseling, contact the Department of Counselor Education & Rehabilitation at (559) 278-0340 or email the PPS in Counseling Coordinator, Dr. Yasar Nur Dedeoglu at ydedeoglu@mail.fresnostate.edu.

The PPS Credential Program in school social work (SSW) and child welfare and attendance (CWA) at Fresno State is part of the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program. This credential authorizes the holder to provide school social work and child welfare and attendance services as an employee of a K-12 public school in the state of California. The PPS program in SSW and CWA at Fresno State is not available as an "add on" program to another degree and is also not available as a post-graduate option for those with an MSW or another Master's degree.

The MSW is a 60 unit program designed to educate advanced social work practitioners who can meet complex client needs within a diversity of public and private human services settings and who can provide services to multiple client systems using a variety of social work practice approaches. As part of the M.S.W. program, students may elect to specialize in school social work practice and child welfare and attendance to meet the requirements for the PPS credential.

The PPS credential program prepares social workers to "perform services to children, parents, school personnel and community agencies to promote a school environment responsive to the needs of children and to plan educational programs which will prepare children to function in a culturally diversified society" (CA Ed Code 44046). The program is designed to maximize the integration of theory and classroom knowledge with field instructed practice in the schools. This curriculum model ensures that students experience the breadth and depth necessary to be prepared for social work practice in the public schools. 

Students interested in the PPS program will first need to apply and be admitted to the MSW program at Fresno State. Coursework and internship specific to the PPS credential are completed in the second year of the full-time MSW program. The Department of Social Work Education, in conjunction with the Kremen School of Education and Human Development, recommends candidates for a PPS credential who have met all of the requirements of the M.S.W. and PPS credential programs. 

For more information contact:

Pupil Personnel Services Program
Benita Washington
559.278.6151
bwashington@csufresno.edu