Continuing Education Programs
Professional Education Programs
Professional Education Programs (PEP) at the School of Social Work have provided professional development opportunities and continuing education to social workers since 1946. Courses, workshops, postgraduate certificate programs, and training/technical assistance are offered to individuals and organizations throughout the human service field. PEP are evidence-based, skills-oriented, and focused on contemporary practice issues in both macro and clinical social work. Employing adult education methods, instructors and workshop educators tailor the content of programs to the educational needs of today’s practicing professional social workers. The school is an approved provider of Continuing Education credit hours (CE credit hours), and has been authorized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Social Work Registration to approve offerings from other institutions for Continuing Education credits.
Workshops & Courses
Half-day, one-day, and two-day workshops take place throughout the year and cover a wide range of topics, including clinical practice, public health social work, urban practice, nonprofit management, emerging issues in social work, and evidence-based practice skills. PEP workshops are offered at four sites: Boston, Cape Cod, Chelmsford, and Fall River.
Postgraduate Certificate Programs
PEP offer postgraduate certificate programs in a number of different content areas: Assessment and Treatment of Psychological Trauma; Clinical Practice with Adolescents; and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Interventions. These programs help experienced practitioners strengthen their skills and competencies in the multiple roles required of them. New certificate programs in Mind/Body Interventions and Effective Practice with Couples have been recently developed. In addition, the CBT and Social Work Training Initiative (CASTI), launched in 2009, offers a wide array of beginner, intermediate, and advanced coursework in CBT and related interventions.
Training & Program Evaluation
PEP develop specialized training programs and provides other forms of technical assistance to state agencies and local organizations.
Alumni Association Workshops
The BUSSW’s Alumni Association occasionally sponsors workshops on topics of current interest. Some are conducted by members of the social work faculty. Past topics have included stress management, suicide prevention, group work, cultural diversity, community politics and social work practice, and healthcare.
Field Instruction
Field Instructor Workshops
The Field Education Department offers the following continuing education programs, for which CE credit hours are available:
Seminar for New Field Instructors
This 20-hour seminar is required for all field instructors supervising an MSW student for the first time. It is offered in the fall on the Charles River Campus, and at locations in Chelmsford, Fall River, Cape Cod, and Worcester. Each year approximately 100 new field instructors participate in the seminar.
The Professional Development Series of the New England Consortium of Field Education Directors
Workshops offered through this series are scheduled by each of the New England graduate schools of social work, and are open to field instructors from all of the schools. Each year approximately eight to ten workshops are on the program.
Curriculum-Related Workshops
These workshops, open to field instructors affiliated with the Boston University School of Social Work, typically address topics related to the integration of classroom content in the field education experience. Past workshops have focused on group work and on macro practice.
Center for Aging & Disability Education & Research
Established in 2002, the Center for Aging & Disability Education & Research (CADER) at Boston University School of Social Work is a leading provider for online training and certificate programs for the aging and disability care workforce. To date, over 20,000 workers and more than 450 agencies and organizations around the country have participated in CADER programs.
Courses & Certificates
CADER’s courses and certificate programs address core skills in aging and disability care. All CADER courses cover content areas related to legal and ethical considerations, cultural competence, person-centered approaches, health literacy, and strategies for communicating effectively in difficult situations.
CADER online courses:
- Can be taken separately or as part of a certificate program offered by Boston University
- Improve core competencies
- Are effective, convenient, and affordable
- Provide an interactive, skill-based multimedia learning experience
- Are self-paced
- Provide continuing education credit hours
Training & Evaluation
Demonstrating that learners have mastered the competencies needed for effective practice is a key objective of our program. Competence requires professional judgment, critical thinking, and translation of knowledge, skills, and values into professional practice. CADER uses Training Evaluation tools to analyze the effectiveness of its programs.
CADER’s training partners include Area Agencies on Aging, State Units on Aging, Independent Living Centers, senior centers, housing providers, behavioral health organizations, nursing homes, assisted living centers, hospitals, community health centers, social service agencies, and adult day health centers.
Research Initiatives
In addition to offering courses and certificate programs, CADER also conducts research to strengthen the workforce that provides supports and services to older adults and people with disabilities. CADER is continually looking for ways to advance its research efforts through innovative partnerships with state and community-based organizations.