The Syracuse University School of Social Work Continuing Education and Professional Development programs provide high-quality workshops and trainings for social workers and other human services and health professionals. From the daily challenges in social work practice to changing policies impacting the field, advanced and specialized continuing education programs are an essential complement for today’s professional social work practitioners.
Belief in the client’s right to have knowledgeable and skillful assistance provides the basis for the social worker’s participation in continuing education. A commitment to continuing education also is grounded in an ethical principle articulated in the NASW Code of Ethics: “Social workers practice within their area of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise.” Continuing education further provides the social worker with the opportunity to acquire new and necessary information; demonstrate a conscious self-directed and continuous effort toward personal and professional development; strengthen qualifications for professional licensure, certification, or registration; meet changing career demands; and explore new careers in social work (NASW, 2003).
Fees: $900 per person for the six-month program
Workshop Schedule, Descriptions, and Learning Objectives
Social Work Practice Fellows (SWPF) is a premier professional development program for M.S.W. supervisors from community-based agencies. The proven educational model features interactive workshops taught by academic and practice-based experts, including practitioners and scholars, utilizing brief didactic presentations; group learning activities; discussions of cases and supervision experiences; and the provision of extensive educational materials. All course sessions will be taught live synchronous online utilizing the Zoom platform.
Cohorts of 15 to 25 M.S.W. supervisors convene for 36 hours of training sessions and are awarded 36 continuing education (CE) units to apply toward their state licensure for practice. SWPF also facilitates the creation of much-needed peer support for participating supervisors who are known to experience professional isolation and to benefit from peer networking. SWPF is offered in multiple communities, and each Syracuse University cohort of graduates will join a growing professional network of alumni with whom they can connect for mutual support.
Participants must be M.S.W.-level social workers who are supervising social workers in varied settings. Supervisees can include any number of M.S.W., B.S.S.W., or other social service staff, in any combination. All participants are expected to:
Certificates will be issued at the end of the program to those who completed all program hours. All survey data will be de-identified and reported only in aggregate, and names will not be linked to responses in any way.
Apply early for the best consideration! Decisions will be made every two weeks until the program is full. We will strive to bring together a broad range of participants. A confirmation form and payment information will be sent along with your acceptance.
Refund policy: Full refunds will be issued to those who cancel within 10 working days before the first training date minus a $25.00 processing fee. No refunds after the start of the program. Request for refunds must be in writing and submitted to: jossmith@syr.edu
Syracuse University School of Social Work alumni receive a 20% discount with the code SWKALUM20
Each webinar has a $150 registration fee and results in 6 CEU contact hours through a live synchronous online format.
Your registration is complete when payment is received. You will receive a confirmation by email. If you do not receive a confirmation, please contact jossmith@syr.edu.
We welcome proposals for new webinars that are relevant to social work practice. If you are an experienced presenter and would like to propose an idea for a webinar, please contact jossmith@syr.edu.
The Syracuse University School of Social Work continuing education (CE) program is approved by the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) Office of the Professions (Provider #0106). Syracuse University School of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Payment and refund policy: Payment may be made online by credit card, or alternate methods can be arranged through the Office of Professional Studies. Full refunds can be issued to those who cancel within 5 business days of the start date of the webinar and must be made in writing. No refunds after the start of the program. No partial refunds. If you are using an agency purchase order or would like to request a refund, please contact jossmith@syr.edu.
The Syracuse University School of Social Work values opportunities for Community Engaged Policy Practice. This approach centers partnership, equity, and collaboration with our communities in all aspects of practice—assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, and advocacy.
Community engaged policy practice involves:
Legislative Policy Day is an important component of the Social Work curriculum. Held annually at the Onondaga County Courthouse in downtown Syracuse, the event provides Social Work undergraduate and graduate students a unique opportunity to witness the real-life involvement of community leaders, citizen organizations, politicians, and social workers who are actively involved in shaping policies that address an important social issue.
Recent topics have included: Equity in Reproductive Health & Well Being, Examining Social Security Across the Generations, and Undermining Youth Potential: The Hidden Costs of Disinvestment in Educational Support Structures and Services. View photos from 2025 Legislative Policy Day.
Capitol Action Day is the National Association of Social Worker’s New York (NASW-NY) annual advocacy event. The event is designed to empower social workers to engage directly in the advocacy process at the State Capitol to make an impact for the profession and the communities we serve.
At Capitol Action Day, members and beyond have a chance to talk with legislators about the issues that matter. Advocacy efforts make a lasting impact on the individuals and communities that we serve.
Capitol Action Day is open to both social work students and professionals. Attendees will visit their legislators throughout the day via legislative appointments or blanket canvassing to advocate for critical social and political priorities.
CSWE offers a free, interactive policy practice certificate course to help social work students and educators advance their understanding of critical social justice issues and key elements of effective advocacy practice. An understanding of policy is key to being an effective social worker and advancing social justice causes.
Some examples of potential career opportunities in community engaged policy practice include:
How do I register for a continuing education (CE) course?
Register for a Continuing Education webinar through the College of Professional Studies
Can I use remitted tuition benefits from my employer to register for a continuing education course?
Remitted tuition can only be used for credit coursework and not for CE courses because these are non-credit courses.
Is there a limit on the amount of online coursework that can be used for registration renewal?
NYSED requires LMSWs and LCSWs to complete 36 hours of continuing education every three years, with a maximum of 12 hours (one-third) allowed via “self-study” (non-interactive online courses). At least 24 hours must be “live” including in-person or interactive online webinars.
Can CE courses taken at Syracuse University School of Social Work be used for registration renewal in other states?
Currently, CE courses taken at the Syracuse University School of Social Work cannot be used licensure renewal in other states. In some cases, some states may allow the use of these credits. The School is exploring certification with a national body to provide greater opportunities for reciprocity.
How long after the completion of a training will I receive my certificate of completion?
Certificates of completion will be emailed to participants within three to five business days of completion of the training.
Will I need to send in my certificate of completion to NYSED when I renew my registration?
No, you will not need to send in your certificate of completion. However, you should keep it available for a period of six years in the event that you are audited.