Graduate Certificate: Military Social Work

Program Overview

The Military Social Work Certificate prepares students for culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and ethically grounded practice with service members, veterans, and their families (SMVF). This certificate equips students with specialized knowledge of military culture, structure, policy, and ethical considerations, as well as the clinical skills necessary to address the complex impacts of trauma, crisis, loss, and grief across the military life cycle.

Through coursework in military/veteran social work, crisis intervention and trauma response, and death, loss, and grief, students develop competencies in assessing and responding to the unique psychosocial, behavioral health, and family challenges experienced by SMVF populations. Emphasis is placed on differentiating military and civilian cultural contexts, applying evidence-based interventions, and integrating military-specific considerations into assessment, treatment planning, and evaluation.

Students examine a wide range of issues including combat-related trauma, suicide risk, intimate partner violence, bereavement, moral injury, substance use, and the effects of deployment, reintegration, and loss. The certificate also highlights resilience, growth, and strengths within military families while addressing policy implications, systems of care, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Graduates are prepared to practice effectively in military installations, Veterans Affairs systems, community agencies, healthcare settings, and nonprofit organizations serving military-connected populations.

Admission to the Certificate Program

Admission to the certificate program is granted to individuals who apply and meet the standards for admission to a graduate program. The certificate is awarded upon successful completion of all coursework with a minimum grade of “C” and an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above.  No transfer credits may be used.