Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work (PPSC-SSW) — Chico State Skip to Main Content
California State University, Chico

Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work (PPSC-SSW)

Gain supervised school-based experience and earn the credential that authorizes you to support students from preschool through grade 12.

The School of Social Work at Chico State is pleased to offer a post-masters Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work (PPSC-SSW). The Pupil Personnel Services Credential authorizes individuals to provide school services in grades 12 and below, including preschool, and in classes organized primarily for adults. The PPSC-SSW is usually a requirement for employment as a school social worker in California K-12 public schools. School social work is one of the fastest growing areas of social work practice.

The PPSC-SSW program builds upon the breadth and depth of a CSWE-accredited MSW curriculum, by providing specialized instruction to develop the knowledge, skills, and values required to effectively provide social work services within public school systems. Social workers who successfully complete the program will be eligible to receive the Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

Who can apply?

Anyone who has an MSW from an CSWE-accredited institution prior to the summer program start. Application is open January 1 - March 30.

Why is a PPSC-SSW Valuable?

The PPSC-SSW authorizes the holder of the credential to perform the following duties:

  • Assess home, school, personal, and community factors that may affect a student’s learning.
  • Identify and provide intervention strategies for children and their families, including counseling, case management, and crisis intervention.
  • Consult with teachers, administrators, and other school staff regarding social and emotional needs of students.
  • Coordinate family, school, and community resources on behalf of students.

Chico State’s PPSC-SSW program enables social workers to develop learning goals rooted in specialized competencies to provide effective social work services within public school systems.

  • Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) students learn from a resume training

    Join an Advising Meeting

    Every 2nd Friday of the month from 12–1 p.m. — Zoom Link.

    • Meeting ID: 346 405 0300
    • Password: SocialWork

    Upcoming 2025-2026 Sessions: December 12th, January 9th, February 13th, March 13th, April 10th, and May 8th.

  • Maia

    Contact Us

    For PPSC-SSW specific advising, contact Maia Illa at milla@csuchico.edu. Please watch this informational video prior to attempting to book an individual advising appointment.

How To Obtain A PPSC-SSW

  • 1. Obtain a Certificate of Clearance (COC)

    Your 450 school-specific internship hours won’t apply toward the needed PPSC-SSW hours unless a Certificate of Clearance from the California Teaching Commission is in place.

  • 2. Complete 45 Semester Units Post-Bachelor’s

    • Not a concern for 2- or 3-year MSW students, as long as you complete more than 45 units as part of your MSW program.
    • 1-year MSW students need to meet this requirement and can in a variety of ways (post-grad through Open University or Professional & Continuing Education, or BSW equivalency documentation).

  • 3. Complete 1000 Hours of Practicum– 450 in Schools

    • The practicum hours completed during your MSW program count after you graduate towards the PPSC-SSW hour requirement.
    • 1000 hours total is not a concern for 2- or 3-year MSW students.
    • 1-year MSW students will need to complete additional school-specific internship hours (450+) post-grad to equal 1000 hours.

  • 4. 450 in Schools (min. 100 at a 2nd Site)

    • 450 total hours must be completed at 2 different CA public school settings:
      • Public preschool, elementary, middle, high school, charter schools, school district, County Office of Education, or SELPA.
    • Private schools and contracted agencies are not valid sites.

  • 5. Weekly Appropriate Supervision

    • The 450 hours (450+ for 1-year MSW) must be supervised weekly by someone with a PPSC-SSW in SSW.
    • If unavailable, then supervised weekly by someone with a PPSC and an MSW 2 years post-grad.
    • Supervision must be provided voluntarily or compensated by school/district; student may not compensate their supervisor.

  • 6. Enroll in a PPSC-SSW Program Approved by the CTC

    • As part of a PPSC-SSW program you can expect to take 2 additional courses focused on SSW on a macro, mezzo, and micro level.
    • For your school-specific hours you will have a learning contract and evaluate with your supervisor your experience according to 10 SSW PE.
    • Chico State has a post-MSW program launching in summer of 2026. For more information, email Professional and Continuing Education (PCE) at pce@csuchico.edu.

PPSC-School Psychology is a different program offering at Chico State. Program information to become credentialed as a School Psychologist can be found here: MA in Applied/School Psychology: Info and Application.

School Of Social Work

Wondering whether a degree in social work might be right for you? Contact our office to ask questions or set up a conversation with one of our advisors.

Location: Behavioral and Social Sciences Building 234
Phone: 530-898-6204
Email: swrk@csuchico.edu

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