Online Certificates
Description
Social workers entering healthcare practice often lack contextual knowledge and training to work effectively and to manage the complexities of today’s healthcare systems. The Social Work in Health Care certificate prepares BSW and MSW social workers to practice confidently and effectively in healthcare by building the contextual knowledge and top‑of‑license skills needed to deliver culturally-sensitive, whole‑person care. It also strengthens their capacity to navigate complex healthcare systems and to contribute meaningfully to equity, advocacy, and policy efforts within healthcare settings.
The Social Work in Healthcare Certificate is offered through a collaboration between Boston University School of Social Work and its Center for Aging & Disability Education & Research, Rush University Department of Social Work and its Center for Health & Social Care Integration, and partners via the Coalition for Social Work and Health. Courses can be taken individually (5 CEUs; $200) or as a full 6-course certificate (29 CEUs; $1000). Discounts for groups and students are available. Contact the RUSH team for more information.
Objectives
Upon completion of the Social Work in Health Care Certificate, participants will be able to:
- Apply core social work frameworks—including person-centered, trauma-informed, strengths-based, and anti-oppressive approaches—within diverse healthcare settings and patient populations.
- Integrate social determinants of health, health equity principles, and systems knowledge to assess needs, reduce barriers to care, and improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
- Demonstrate effective interdisciplinary practice by clearly articulating the social work role, collaborating with healthcare teams, and navigating complex care systems.
- Utilize ethical reasoning and professional standards to address common healthcare dilemmas related to confidentiality, consent, documentation, telehealth, and resource allocation.
- Employ evidence-informed clinical and organizational strategies to support patients, caregivers, and practitioners, including resilience-building, crisis response, and care coordination.
Course Outline
This certificate includes six integrated courses designed to build the foundational, clinical, ethical, and systems-level competencies social workers need to practice effectively in today’s healthcare environments. The six courses include:
Course 1. Introduction to Healthcare & Health Equity
This course builds foundational understanding of the U.S. healthcare system, health equity, and the social determinants of health while clarifying the roles of social workers across settings. Participants learn key policies, programs, and tools—including telehealth and advance directives—that shape access, communication, and culturally responsive care.
Course 2. Frameworks, Treatment Modalities, and Social Work Skills
This course strengthens core clinical skills by grounding learners in engagement, assessment, and evidence‑based social work frameworks tailored to healthcare environments. It emphasizes cultural humility, trauma‑informed practice, and the influence of patient values and identities on therapeutic relationships.
Course 3. Patient Populations & Healthcare Settings
This course explores social work roles across diverse healthcare settings and patient populations, highlighting common challenges and best practices for coordinated, person‑centered care. Learners develop strategies for applying population‑specific approaches to improve outcomes across systems.
Course 4. Social Work and Complex Care
This course examines how social workers enhance outcomes in complex care by addressing social context, chronic illness, and behavioral health needs within interprofessional teams. It also covers specialized roles in hospice and palliative care, emphasizing whole‑person, family‑centered support.
Course 5. Patient, Caregiver, and Clinician Resilience
This course focuses on resilience across patients, caregivers, and clinicians by examining social determinants, trauma, and systemic stressors in healthcare. Participants learn assessment tools, evidence‑based interventions, and collaborative practices that strengthen sustainable well‑being and professional supervision.
Course 6. Ethical Considerations in Health Social Work
This course applies core bioethical principles and the NASW Code of Ethics to real‑world healthcare dilemmas involving consent, confidentiality, equity, and cultural values. Learners gain practical guidance on ethical documentation, resource allocation, and supporting patient autonomy in complex clinical environments.