Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program | Center for Veterinary Social Work

The Postgraduate Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program provides education for mental health professionals on the four areas of veterinary social work. This is not a degree program, it is a continuing education certificate.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have graduated from a CSWE accredited Social Work program with their Master of Social Work
Applicants must be registered with the health-related boards in their state of residence
If you are a licensed BSW, an MSW without a state registration or license, or a mental health professional that is not a social worker, read more about waiving admission requirement policy.

Certificate Overview

Modules: Online, self-paced, year-round availability, National Association of Social Workers (NASW) CE approved

Supervision Sessions: Online video conference

2 sessions per area of veterinary social work
Each session is two hours
Hosted once a year. Dates TBD.

Keystone Project: Proposals can be submitted after completion of related modules

Participants must complete a keystone project that requires at least 250 hours of service learning. This piece of the certificate requires participants to take their new knowledge and turn it into action. The keystone component is flexible and is designed to help participants develop relationships and begin the process of making their goals come into being. This project is complete at a location of the certificate participants choosing.
Submit your proposal here.

Workshops: 3 workshops

Animal Assisted Interventions Workshop
- NASW CE approved
- Hosted once a year, dates TBD
- Via zoom video conference
Veterinary Social Work Intensive
- NASW CE approved
- Hosted once a year, dates TBD
- Via zoom video conference
3-day International Veterinary Social Work Summit
- October, biennially (2020, 2022, 2024, 2026)
- Location TBD

Certificate participants can purchase each certificate requirement as they move through the program or they can pay in advance. Participants have 5-6 years to complete all of the requirements

Certificate overview

Pricing Chart

Program Trajectory

Disclaimer: Completion of this certificate does not qualify one to become a mental health professional. If you are interested in becoming a mental health professional, check out the Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program for University of Tennessee Master of Science in Social Work students.

Apply Now

Applications are accepted year-round. You can apply any time. You will need a letter of intent, resume, professional license number if applicable, transcripts, and photo to complete this application. Some applicants will need to submit 2 letters of recommendation. The review process typically takes 4 weeks once all materials are received. For additional application information, click the apply now link.

If you have a question, use this form to contact us you will get a quicker response than email.

Almost! The majority of this program is hosted online. The only portion that may be in person is the International Veterinary Social Work Summit. Location TBD.

Yes! We are now accepting master level mental health professionals that are not social workers. Please see our waiving admission requirement policy.

The certificate awarded will read “Veterinary Mental Health Professional” rather than social worker.

This program is specifically for social workers and mental health professionals. You might be interested in our Veterinary Human Support Certificate Program.

You do not qualify to enroll in the Postgraduate Veterinary Social Work Certificate, but you can complete our four online modules. These can be found under the “Education” tab on the menu. If you are interested in an social work degree, check out our UT MSSW Veterinary Social Work Certificate.

Social work licensure varies significantly by jurisdiction. We do not require our applicants to be licensed to practice social work independently, but we ask that you be an LMSW, registered social work intern, or the comparable license for your state.

Great! Submit your applicable license with your other VSW application materials.

Applications are accepted year round! We review them on a monthly basis.

Participants purchase each individuals step in the program as they move through the program. If you want to work on a module, then you purchase the module when you are ready. It is pay as you go. There is no need to pay for the entire program up front, though there is a 10% discount for those who choose to purchase everything upon acceptance into the program.

Refund policy for our modules. Refund policy for face-to-face trainings.

Send us a message if you have questions.