PPSC Credentials

Overview

Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC)

Graduates of our PPSC programs will qualify to be credentialed as school social workers by the state of California. This PPSC is only valid in California. The PPSC is obtained in School Social Work with an option of attaining a secondary credential in Child Welfare and Attendance.  All SJSU PPSC Program and California Commision on Teacher Credentialing standards must  be met to earn the credential. 

There are two ways the Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) is offered at SJSU's School of Social Work, through the On-Campus Program or through the Post-Master’s Program (PM-PPSC). 

(1) On-Campus PPSC Credential

Eligibility

Persons admitted to the PPSC program must have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in any field from a regionally accredited college or university.

Requirements

  • Attend the PPSC Informational Session in late Fall.
  • Complete and submit the PPSC Declaration. This is the written documentation of the student’s Notice of Intent to pursue a PPSC.
  • Completion of Certificate of Clearance prior to beginning the field experience in a public school district.
  • Completion of California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) - Alternate options for meeting Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) besides CBEST, visit Options for meeting BSR    
  • Candidates will complete a minimum of 1000 hours of field experience including at least 450 or 600 (with Child Welfare and Attendance - CWA) field hours working in an approved school district.
  • Candidates must successfully complete the necessary field experience to meet the CTC PPSC Standards and Competencies, and successfully pass the field courses by receiving a "Credit" grade based on evaluated field placement performance. Students are evaluated by their internship field instructors upon completion of their field hours (SJSU PPSC Evaluation Rev.August.2022 for Dissemination (1).pdf).
  • Candidates must successfully complete all required 60 semester units of the Master in Social Work (MSW) degree coursework, maintain a 3.0 minimum grade point average, and earn an MSW degree.
  • Complete all the PPSC required courses - see section below.  
  • Provide all required documentation to the PPSC On Campus Coordinator to receive the Program Contract - Exit Review Form.
  • File for the Credential with the SJSU Credential Services Office, Sweeney Hall 445 in the Lurie College of Education and pay the filing fee. This office will issue the recommendation to earn the PPSC in School Social Worker (SSW), and if the student also pursues it, the Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA). 
    https://www.sjsu.edu/education/academics/credentials/index.php

PPSC Required Courses

In addition to all required MSW courses (MSW Handbook (Rev. Feb. 2022).docx), outlined on page 17, students must take in their final year of placement SW 272 Social Work in Educational Settings, SW 263 Social Work and the Law, and the PPSC 2nd Year Field Practicum courses, SW 232 1st semester Field Class, and SW 233 2nd semester Field Class. 

PPSC Manual-On Campus-2.docx (1).pdf

(2) Post-Master PPSC Credential (PM-PPSC)

Program Eligibility

Program Requirements

*Application Information for Post-Masters PPSC Program Available Below, Including the NEW CWA-Only Program*

The following certificates and credentials are available for current SJSU MSW Students and/or Post-MSW Students who meet specified requirements. Those interested should contact SJSU or the designated representative regarding their particular interest. Please note the respective deadlines posted per program.

CWA-Only (Child Welfare and Attendance) Program

CTC guidelines will be changing next summer, requiring all Social Work Field Instructors to have their Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) authorization in order to supervise PPSC MSW and Post-Masters interns who will be working with interns/students pursuing their CWA credential. Additionally, schools are facing increasing challenges with student attendance and need the expertise of social workers in addressing these issues. If you have your Social work PPSC but have not received your CWA authorization this program is designed for you. 

Please refer to the following documents for more information and the application process:

-  Application deadline for Summer 2023 is April 7th, 2023.

- We expect future application periods will also be offered and will follow the PPSC application deadlines, listed below.

Contact us through the Social Work Post-Masters Mailbox: socialwork-post-masters@sjsu.edu

Student Manual 

  • PM PPSC Manual- revised
  • Child Welfare and Attendance Only (CWA) Authorization
  • CTC Standards now require all Social Work Field Instructors to have their Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) authorization in order to supervise PPSC MSW and Post-Masters candidates who are pursuing their CWA credential. Additionally, schools are facing increasing challenges with student attendance and need the expertise of social workers in addressing these issues. If you have your School Social Work PPSC but have not earned your CWA authorization this program is designed for you. 
    Please refer to the following documents for more information and the application process:
  • CWA-Only Program - Application Process [pdf] [pdf]
  • CWA-Only Program - Application [pdf] [pdf]

* The application deadline is April 7th, 2023, for our upcoming Summer 2023 session with courses starting in Mid-June 2023. 
Please submit all documents electronically to: socialwork-post-masters@sjsu.edu.

 

Please refer to the following documents:

a) Post-Masters PPSC Program Application Process
b) Post-Masters PPSC Application Form
c) Post-Masters PPSC Application Checklist
d) Post-Master Field Hours Verification Form
e) Post-Master Field Instructor Student Evaluation Form
f) Post-Masters PPSC Program Manual
g) Post-Masters PPSC FAQs 

The curriculum model includes two 10-week courses, offered either consecutively or concurrently, and additional field units and internship in an approved PPSC program school setting. All other PPSC Program and state CTC requirements must also be met.

Please check periodically for the stated application opening periods, for updates and active links for application information.

We expect that future application periods will also be offered:
- April 7th application deadline for Summer 23 session
- July 7th application deadline for Fall 23 session 
- Please stay in touch for updated application deadlines for future sessions

For questions specific to the Post-Masters PPSC Program, please send an email to: socialwork-post-masters@sjsu.edu.