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The Continuing Education Program works collaboratively within its University and social service networks to co-sponsor a range of local, regional, state, and national programs, workshops, and conferences to help ensure quality professional development opportunities for social workers and other helping professionals. We use the resources of the School of Social Work and University faculty and staff, as well as draw on local, regional, and national practitioners with strong expertise in timely and emerging issues and skills.

If you are interested in having us collaborate with you on a program or conference, please contact the CE office at (412) 624-3711. If you are interested in having us co-sponsor a training workshop or conference program, please review our Co-Sponsorship Policy.

Co-Sponsorship Policy

The Continuing Education Program can provide social work continuing education co-sponsorship for LSW/LCSW to organizations and institutions within our education network.

To be eligible for continuing education co-sponsorship, programs must demonstrate that they meet the following criteria:

›	Enhance the knowledge base of social work theory and practice beyond the MSW foundations core required of graduates from all CSWE-accredited schools of social work;
›	Reflect the ethics and values of the social work profession;
›	Actively include the social work perspective in program development and presentation;
›	Consider the educational goals and guidelines of the Council of Social Work Education for graduate-level study (CSWE accreditation is the basis for schools of social work pre-approved provider status for social work continuing education for license renewal in PA and other states)
›	Do not substantially replicate current or planned programs of the School’s Continuing Education Program
›	Are not part of an agency regular training business for revenue generation (Agency involved in training as a business for income production such work through the PA Board of Examiners)

Certain program topics are excluded for social work continuing education by the PA Board of Examiners; these include:

›	Stress management
›	Time management
›	Energy field work
›	Developing or operating a private practice
›	Knowledge that social workers were expected to learn and demonstrate for their MSW

Note: While the School offers its own programs for continuing education for a number of other professions (APA, CAC, NBCC, CEAP-PDH), we can provide “co-sponsorship” for only social work continuing education.

How Continuing Education Hours Are Determined

Continuing education for social workers in Pennsylvania is offered only in “hours”—the School does not provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) which are units of academic equivalency. There must be a minimum of two hours to qualify for CE hours; beyond that, hours can be given in half-hour increments. Generally, hours are count as 55 minutes on the hour to allow for modest break time, e.g., a program from 9 a.m. – noon with one 10-15 minute break would be counted as three hours for continuing education. Extended breaks, meal times, and networking or social time where there is not a structured educational activity cannot be counted for continuing education. Time during meals when there is a presenter—for example, a lunchtime keynote speaker at a conference—may be counted toward continuing education.

Materials to Submit for Co-sponsorship

The Continuing Education Program requires timely submission (60 days preferred) of the application packet. The sponsoring organization must mail, fax ((412) 624-6323), or e-mail the following materials for review and approval:

›	Completed Co-Sponsorship Application and Agreement forms.
›	Program Description that includes intended audience, learning outcomes, time schedule, education/learning formats, e.g., lecture, exercises, video, case studies, etc… A copy of the program brochure is acceptable.
›	Brief bio of presenter's documenting degrees, certificates, affiliations, and publications as relevant—please do not send extended resumes or vitas.
›	Processing fees, if applicable: $25 for organizations and institutions not in our educational network.

The CE office may request additional information if needed to determine approval.

Note: The Co-Sponsorship Agreement form contains continuing education language for social workers to be used in sponsor marketing materials.

Post-Program Certification Process

At the program, the sponsor organization should have some method to confirm attendance, e.g., a sign-in sheet. The sponsor should also make sure to collect the name, address, and social security number for all persons requesting social work continuing education certification. Within seven to 10 days of the program, the sponsor organization should send the following to the school’s CE office:

›	Sign-in sheet, attendance roster, or other documentation of attendance
›	Names, addresses, and social security number of those requesting social work CE (a day phone number is also helpful)
›	Summary evaluation of the program if available (please do not send individual evaluations)
›	Certification fee—one check payable to University of Pittsburgh (CE Certification Fees are $5/person/program day up to $10 maximum for multi-day program for organizations in our educational network or $10/person/program for organizations outside our educational network.)
›	Sponsors should send materials to: University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work Continuing Education 2117 Cathedral of Learning Pittsburgh, PA 15260

CE certificates will be sent out within five to seven days of receiving the sponsor’s post-program materials. The school will also maintain records on these programs for PA Board of Examiner auditing purposes, as well as providing replacements for lost certificates.

For further information or to obtain hard copies of co-sponsorship policies and forms, contact the Continuing Education Office at (412) 624-3711 or (412) 624-6902.

About the Pennsylvania Board of Examiners

(If we cannot co-sponsor your program)
The Pennsylvania Board of Social Work, Professional Counseling, and Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners is the mandated agency in Pennsylvania to approve continuing education for the licensed professions under its jurisdiction. Should your program not meet our limited co-sponsorship guidelines as noted above, you may apply directly to the PA Board of Examiners. You may apply directly to the PA Board of Examiners in any case. The Board requires a minimum 90-day lead time to approve programs, and there is a $25 dollar application fee. Individual social workers may also apply to the board for continuing education approval for programs of interest only to that individual, e.g., an out-of-town conference or training, that you would like to attend and have approved for your continuing education. If you would like to contact the PA Board of Examiners, contact them at 717-783-1839.

Our Educational Network

The School of Social Work’s educational network represents other schools and divisions within the University of Pittsburgh and the UPMC Health System, as well as field agencies and other organizations for which the School’s faculty and staff serve in advisory or governance capacity or for which faculty and staff serve in key roles in planning and presenting training programs or conferences. These may include regional, state, and national conferences for which the School’s continuing education co-sponsorship may provide pre-approved continuing education for social workers in other states.