Social Service Worker Licensure
Curriculum Pathway for Non-Social Work Majors
Social Service Worker (SSW) Licensure
Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) has received approval from the Utah Division of Occupational Licensing (DOPL) to begin offering the three prerequisite courses required for individuals who have completed a non-social work major bachelor’s degree to become eligible for the Social Service Worker (SSW) license.
These three prerequisite required SSW courses are offered for credit, at our affordable base tuition rate, and are offered every semester in several formats (in-person, hybrid, and online).
Prospective students who have already earned a non-social work major bachelor’s degree and are interested in completing the required coursework to qualify for the Social Service Worker (SSW) license should contact Dr. Hydo (rhydo@slcc.edu) to request approval to register for the courses listed below.
DOPL Educational Requirements for SSW
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree
– OR – - Master’s degree in Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy or Mental Health Counseling
– OR – - Bachelor’s degree in another field AND
- Completion of three semester hours (or the equivalent) each in the areas of Social Welfare Policy, Human Growth and Development (across the lifespan), and Social Work Practice Methods
- Completion of 2,000 hours of qualifying experience
- Supervisor approval of 2,000 hours
Please Note: Salt Lake Community College does not grant SSW licensure. It is the student’s responsibility to coordinate with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) to ensure that the previously completed bachelor’s degree and coursework meet DOPL requirements for the SSW license. DOPL Phone: (801) 530-6628. Students should additionally contact DOPL to review whether they have previously completed one or more of the required courses for SSW licensure.
Coursework for SSW Licensure
- SW1010 – Social Work and Social Welfare: The Profession and Institution
- SW2100 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment OR FHS 1500 – Lifespan Human Dev.
- SW2990 – Practice for Behavioral Health
Course Sequencing
If all three courses are not completed concurrently, students should first complete SW1010 and SW2100 prior to registering for SW2990.
Social Service Worker (SSW) Core Course Descriptions
SW1010 – Social Work and Social Welfare: The Profession and Institution
This course examines current research regarding substance use disorders; the interplay between research and practice; the biological, sociological, and psychological factors related to the development of substance use disorders; and the assessment and intervention process in substance use disorder counseling. Accepted by the UofU and SLCC Substance Use Disorder Treatment Training Certificate Programs.
SW2100 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment
This course will introduce students to the dynamics of human behavior in the social environment focusing on the interrelatedness of the biological, psychological and social dimensions of human behavior. Additionally, the course will provide a practical and theoretical understanding of human behavior in the social environment focusing on the interrelatedness of the biopsychosocial dimensions of human behavior across the life span. An application of the use of various interventions and strategies will be introduced in order to comprehend the complexity of treatment plans in the adaptation of human behaviors.
SW2990 – Practice for Behavioral Health
This course introduces practice in social work using the Planned Change Model. Students will learn effective communication, building client rapport and relationships, case documentation, crisis assessment, mandatory reporting, case management, care coordination, how to avoid compassion fatigue. Direct practice skills include screening, assessment, intervention, evaluation, and termination.