Last modified: December 5, 2023

Policy 3450 P1 Social Workers

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Definitions 

Level 1 license

Means a Utah professional educator license issued upon completion of an approved preparation program or an alternative preparation program, or pursuant to an agreement under the NASDTEC Interstate Contract, to candidates who have also met all ancillary requirements established by law or rule. 

Level 2 license

Means a Utah professional educator license issued after satisfactory completion of all requirements for a Level 1 license, as well as any additional requirements established by law or rule relating to professional preparation or experience.

Guidelines 

1. An applicant for the Level 1 School Social Worker License area of concentration shall have:
   • Completed a program approved by the Utah State Board of Education for the preparation of school social workers including a Master of Social Work degree from an accredited institution;
   • Demonstrated competence in the following:
     • Articulating the role and function of the school social worker including relationships with other professional school and community personnel, organizations, and agencies;
     • Understanding the organization, administration, and evaluation of a school social work program; 
     • Social work practice with individuals, families, and groups; 
     • Developing and interpreting a social history and psycho-social assessment of the individual and the family system;
     • Analyzing family dynamics and experience in counseling and conflict management and resolution; 
     • Communication and consulting skills in working with the client, the family, the school staff, community and social agencies; 
     • Understanding the teaching/learning environment; viii. Analyzing school law and child welfare issues; 
     • Using social work methods to facilitate the affective domain of education and the learning process; and 
     • Understanding knowledge pertaining to the cause and effects of social forces, cultural changes, stress, disability, disease, deprivation, neglect, and abuse on learning and on human behavior and development, and the effect of these forces on minorities of race, ethnicity, and class. 
   • Completed an approved school social work internship in a school setting or in an agency which includes a substantial amount of experience with children and contact with schools; and 
   • Has been recommended by an institution whose program of preparation for social workers has been approved by the Board. 
2. An applicant for the Level 2-Standard School Social Worker License area of concentration shall have:
   • Completed at least three years of successful experience as a school social worker under a Level 1 School Social Worker License area of concentration or its equivalent; and
   • Has been recommended by the employing school district with consultation from a teacher education institution.
3. The social worker program of an institution may be approved by the Utah State Board of Education if it meets the standards prescribed in the Standards for State Approval of Teacher Education for school social workers, developed and available as provided in R277-506-3D.

Legal References

Utah Admin Code R277-506

School Psychologists, School Social Workers, School Counselors, Communication Disorders (Audiologists), SpeechLanguage Pathologists, and Speech-Language Technicians Licenses and Programs

Approval Date

October 8, 2013

Policy

Policy No. 3450 Social Workers