Program Overview

Professional Educator License for School Social Work

The State of Illinois requires school social workers to hold a Professional Educator License (PEL) with an endorsement in school social work in order to practice in a public-school setting. School social workers serve as a vital part of the educational team, working together with educational administrators, teachers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, speech and language pathologists, and other staff. Their unique graduate-level training in social work enables them to understand and interpret the influences of school, home, and community on children and provide interventions to help them succeed.

What Do School Social Workers Do?

School social workers' fundamental purpose is to help pupils gain the most from their educational opportunities. They help to identify, assess, and resolve the educational, environmental, social, and emotional difficulties that interfere with children's attendance, adjustment, and achievement at school. This requires them to help not only the children but also to work with parents, school staff, and community elements to help all parties work together more effectively for the good of children.

Benefits of School Social Workers

School social workers can benefit students, parents, schools, and communities in several ways:

• Help students achieve the maximum benefit from their educational opportunities, understand themselves and others, improve interpersonal relationships, cope with stress, and develop decision-making skills.
• Help parents participate effectively in their children's education, understand and meet their children's social and emotional needs, understand programs available to students with special needs, and utilize school and community resources effectively.
• Help schools understand the factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) that affect students' abilities to maximize their school experience, utilize their resources in meeting the educational, social, and emotional needs of students, and promote a safe school environment.
• Help communities understand school policies, programs, and practices, minimize the environmental factors which inhibit learning, and develop resources to adequately meet the needs of students and families.

Licensure in School Social Work Requirements

To qualify for the Endorsement in Professional Educator License (PEL) in School Social Work, the following requirements must be completed:

• Complete the core courses listed for the chosen specialization.
• Take the following courses (which will satisfy elective requirements):
  • SOCW 533: Social Work Practice in the Schools (2 credit hours)
  • SOCW 567: Advanced School Social Work Issues (2 credit hours)
  • SPED 300 (3 credit hours as an undergraduate) or SPED 420 (3 credit hours as a graduate)
• The field placement SOCW 543B (3 credit hours) and SOCW 544B (3 credit hours) will be in a school setting for two consecutive semesters.
• Pass the School Social Work licensure content exam, preferably before the start of the final semester.

Additional Information

For the most current information on licensure requirements for School Social Work, please refer to the Teacher Education Program (TEP).