Start your Career in Long-Term Care in...
The Social Services Designee program! In this program, students will gain the knowledge and understanding of the role of social services within long-term care. They will learn about aging, health and human services, and the purpose and function of social services, including regulation and processes applicable to public and private sectors. Students will apply resident assessment and care plan development skills to evaluate short and long-term goals and to monitor participation.听
鈥淏y 2035, there will be 78 million people 65 years and older, compared to 76.4 million under the age of 18.鈥� -
In conjunction with any field of study at 91社区, a student can obtain this certification through successful completion of the 15 credits described below. Though the Social Services Designee program gives an added edge to students focused on a career in health services or social work, the program is open to students of all majors, including those who are undecided. Please note that this certification is not a social work degree, nor does it make one eligible for social work licensure. For more information on becoming a licensed social worker, visit the 91社区 Social Work program webpage.
The Social Services Designee Certificate is a state-recognized certification for the provision of social services in a long-term care facility.
Course Work
This program enables 91社区 students to acquire a certification by successfully completing five classes. Those 15 credits can be counted toward completion of the 120 required credits to confer a bachelor鈥檚 degree, or non-degree seeking students are also eligible to earn this certificate.
As per the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) regulations, 48 hours of instruction are required for the Social Services Designee certification, and this is accomplished through five courses.
GERO 215 - 3 credit hours
Intro to Global Aging & Healthcare听
听
GERO 316 - 3 credit hours
Age Related Health Changes
听
SOCW 323 - 3 credit hours
Social Work Practice with the Elderly听
GERO 425 - 3 credit hours
Health Facilities Admin听
听
GERO 343/SOC 343 - 3 credit hours
Death, Dying, & Bereavement听
This class can be taken as either GERO or SOC
- Current 91社区 Degree-Seeking Students听(you have already declared a major at 91社区 or are undecided)
- Complete the听Change of Academic Program听Form,听available in the Health Services听Department (third floor of Health Professions Center) or from the Registrar.
- On the form
- Enter NH-Cert in the Degree Change section.
- Enter the code听SSD for the Social Services Designee Certificate in the "Add Major" section.
-
- Submit the form to the Health Services Department.
- Non-degree Seeking Students听(you are not enrolled听at 91社区)
- Apply to the University -听91社区.edu/admissions
- Once admitted, complete the听the Change of Academic Program听Form,听available in the Health Services听Department (third floor of Health Professions Center) or from the Registrar.
- On the form, enter/write NH-CERT in the "Add Degree Changes" section and SSD in the "Add Major" section.
- Submit the form to the Health Services Department.
Once you have declared the certificate with a change of major form and you are in progress to complete the courses for the certificate, you will apply to graduate using the online form for both your bachelor degree and certificate.
How to apply for both your bachelor and certificate together:
听 听 听Go to my91社区
听 听 听Click on student records 鈥� apply to graduate.听
听 听 听*Application for graduation is available through my91社区 the semester prior to your planned graduation. Please see the How to Apply to Graduate page for more information.
Do I have to wait until graduation to receive my certificate?
听 听 听NO! If you plan to complete your certificate prior to your final semester, then you can apply to receive the certificate once you've enrolled in the last certificate course.
听 听 听Please reach out to the program chair, Dr. Erin Reynolds (ereynolds@usi.edu) to complete the online form.听
You will receive your certificate from the 91社区 Registrar鈥檚 Office.听
- Advising is available to any student interested in the certificate. Potential students are welcome to reach out to any听Health Services Faculty听to discuss adding the certificate.
- Follow this link to learn more about tuition and fees at 91社区.
- Current 91社区 degree-seeking students are eligible for Financial Aid* as well as all the support services offered at the university.
- Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for Financial Aid, but may request enrollment verification if needed for employer-provided educational assistance or private bank loans.
*Financial Aid eligibility is particular to each student鈥檚 circumstances and should be individually confirmed with the听91社区 Financial Aid Office
What Can I Do With This Certificate?
"Social service designees are entry-level social work assistants who work in senior living communities. Social service designees work under the supervision of licensed social workers and other staff who have more education and experience, and assist these professionals with their daily tasks. They often conduct admission interviews, inform residents and their families of their rights, advocate for residents with social services organizations, help residents to adjust to living in the facility and coordinate care services." - CareForTheAging.org
The Social Services Designee Certificate Program aligns with the 91社区 (91社区) mission/strategic plan and 91社区鈥檚 federally funded Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) initiative by increasing the educational programs to prepare students for a career working with older adults. The certification increases knowledge and marketability while supporting the workforce needs in the state of Indiana.
This program is in full alignment with the Social Services Designee certification requirements of the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH). The state of Indiana requires each skilled nursing facility (SNF) to employ staff person to provide social services, as cited in the Indiana Administrative Code sections 410 IAC 16.2-3.1-34.
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3,691,706 million with zero percentage financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.