The Marian University of Wisconsin Social Work program has worked with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services to create a listing of courses that will qualify applicants who have received a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or other human service program approved by the Social Worker Section of the SWTC website.  Master’s degrees will not be considered.​

The Social Worker Training Certificate (SWTC) is administered by the Social Worker Section of the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. The description of the certificate and all related forms can be retrieved here. You should familiarize yourself with this website.

The SWTC allows graduates who have received a bachelor’s degree in psychology or criminal justice or sociology or other human service program to work as a social worker while completing courses and experiences that will qualify him/her to become a certified Social Worker.

Once your SWTC credential is issued, it is valid for 24 months and may not be renewed. In that time-period, both your work or internship experience and required coursework must be completed. Courses for the SWTC can be completed during your undergraduate degree program or while holding the SWTC. If you have graduated from college and are returning to complete coursework or an internship for the SWTC, you must apply for and receive the SWTC PRIOR to taking courses or completing an internship. Coursework/internship may only be completed prior to the SWTC if courses were taken during the bachelor’s degree program.

You must obtain a GPA of 2.5 or greater in your major and in the courses taken for the SWTC. Grades of C- or below will not satisfy requirements for the SWTC.

Once you have eliminated any course or internship/work deficiencies, you can apply for certification as a “Certified Social Worker,” which is a basic level social worker. (Note—this certification is different than the social worker training certificate.) This process (applying for the Social Worker Certification ) is considered the second step of the SWTC and generally occurs when nearing completion of the SWTC requirements.

You must pass the national social work ASWB exam; be sure to order study materials before taking it. You must also pass the State of Wisconsin statutes and rules exam; this is an open book exam over the state social worker regulations. The passing score on the state exam is 85%. Instructions for the state exam can be found at: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/SocialWorkerTrainingCertificate/Exams.aspx

The SWTC can, however, expire in under 24 months. The SWTC expires on the date on which you receive the results from your national social work exam, even if that date occurs before the end of the 24 months. If you take and fail the national exam, your SWTC must be returned to the DSPS; you may retake the examination following a 90-day waiting period.

The SWTC policies are managed by the Social Worker Section of DSPS, not by Marian University of Wisconsin.