Grand Valley State University works hard to bring our social workers the continuing education clock hours that are required by the state of Michigan. Our goal is to offer quality courses that are meaningful and applicable to professional social workers. We also provide small, personal, and intellectual environments to optimize your learning experience.

Want to be added to our email list for updates on upcoming programs? SIGN UP FOR EMAILS NOW

Scheduled Programs

The below programs have been approved for Michigan social work continuing education clock hours through the School of Social Work of Grand Valley State University. Payment is due upon enrollment.

Click on title for additional information and to register. 

ONGOING! - IDENTIFYING VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING - a one hour online course that meets the human trafficking requirement for license renewal and includes 1.0 approved Michigan social work continuing education credit. - View Flyer

2018 Programs: 

OCT 19 - FOSTERING RESILIENCY IN WORK AND LIFE: DEVELOPING PERSONAL STRENGTH TO DEAL WITH EMOTIONAL PAIN - View Flyer - Meets the pain management requirement for license renewal. This course is currently full, and the wait list has been closed. Sorry for any inconvenience.

OCT 26 - BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS: COMMUNICATING AND WORKING WITH ATTORNEYS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE COURTROOM TO PROMOTE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN AMD ACHIEVE BETTER PERMANENCY OUTCOMES - View DHHS Catalog page - This course is free to all DHHS and their private contracted agencies employees. See list of eligible agencies.

NOV 9 - EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (EI) IN THE WORKPLACE - View Flyer

NOV 16 - IMMIGRATION BASICS: UNDERSTANDING THE ESSENTIALS OF IMMIGRATION LAW TO BETTER SERVE YOUR CLIENTS - View Flyer

NOV 30 - EFFECTIVE PRE-ADOPTION AND POST-ADOPTION SERVICES TO PREVENT DISRUPTIONS AND DISSOLUTIONS - View DHHS Catalog page - This course is free to all DHHS and their private contracted agencies employees. See list of eligible agencies.

DEC 7 - ETHICS AND THE IMPAIRED PROFESSIONAL: WHAT'S A SOCIAL WORKER TO DO? (Repeat course from Feb 2018) - View Flyer - Meets the ethics requirement for license renewal. This course is currently full, and the wait list has been closed. Sorry for any inconvenience.

DEC 14 - UNDERSTANDING TEEN GRIEF - View Flyer - A digital badge in Grief and Loss Advocacy is being offered if you take each of the following courses: Final Journey, Real Talk about Grief and Understanding Teen Grief. If you take these courses and complete a reflection paper, you'll receive a digital badge from Grand Valley State University. This is not an academic certificate program or specialized certification related to any organization or association, but a badge indicating you had additional training in the content area. Learn about digital badges.

2019 Programs:

JAN 18 - JUST FIX MY KID! ENGAGING PARENTS IN THE THERAPEUTIC PROCESS USING ART, SCULPTING AND GAMES - View Flyer

FEB 1 - ADVOCATING FOR RECOVERY: SUPPORTING FAMILIES WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS - View DHHS Catalog page - This course is free to all DHHS and their private contracted agencies employees. See list of eligible agencies.

FEB 8 - BUILDING AND MANAGING HIGH-PERFORMING TEAMS: BUT FIRST, KNOW YOUR DYSFUNCTIONS! - View Flyer

FEB 27 - PAIN AND PAIN MANAGEMENT - View Flyer - Meets the pain management requirement for license renewal.

MAR 15 - SOCIAL WORK ETHICS IN A TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD - View Flyer - Meets the ethics requirement for license renewal. This course is currently full, however a wait list is available.

MAR 22 - HUMAN TRAFFICKING: MODERN DAY SLAVERY - (Repeat course from Mar 2018) - View Flyer - Meets the human trafficking requirement for licensing.

APR 12 - UTILIZING THE POWER OF PLAY THERAPY TO TREAT CHILD CLIENTS WITH ANXIETY DISORDERS - View Flyer

MAY 3 - SAVE THE DATE! 2019 Ara Cary Child Welfare Conference

MAY 17 - TRANS* ALLYSHIP IN CLINICAL SERVICES: FUNDAMENTALS FOR MICRO PRACTICE - View Flyer

JUN 14 - SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS WITH ADOLESCENTS - View Flyer

Most recent social work programs:

MAY 4 - The Opioid Epidemic in America and at Home: National and Local Trends for Opioid Abuse/Addiction

MAY 11 - The Opioid Epidemic in America and at Home: Treatment Options for Opioid Use Disorder

MAY 17 - Broken...But Fixable: Assessing and Addressing the Cost of Your Work

MAY 18 - The Opioid Epidemic in America and at Home: Life After Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

MAY 31 - 2018 Ara Cary Child Welfare Conference - What IS and What IS NOT Trauma-Informed Practice

JUN 1 - Recovery 101: How to Support Clients in Early Recovery

JUN 15 - What is the Mental Health Medical Criteria for Inpatient Hospitalization and Crisis Residential Units? 

JUN 22 - Navigating Higher Education for Youth Exiting Foster Care or Adopted from Foster Care

SEP 28 - Final Journey: Psychosocial Aspects of Terminal Illness and the Dying Process 

OCT 5 - Medical Marijuana

OCT 12 - Real Talk about Grief: Understanding the Helper's Role

Registration Deadline: Three days prior to each training by 5:00 p.m.

Wait List Policy: Our social work programs, excluding the DHHS programs, may fill up due to interest in the content. If the course becomes full, we will have a limited wait list. Those who get on a wait list for a course, you will be notified as soon as possible if a seat becomes available and payment must be made upon enrollment. When the typical registration period ends two days prior to the begin date, all those on the list will be notified we can no longer accept people into the class.

Cancellation Policy: Should your plans change, you may transfer your registration to another person or class at any time. Cancellations must be received in writing (via fax, mail or email) 48 hours prior to class start time. Cancellations received before the deadline will receive a full refund. Cancellations received after the deadline and/or no-shows are not eligible for refunds.

If you have questions, please call our office at (616) 331-7180 or e-mail us at socialworkce@gvsu.edu

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:  If Grand Valley State University closes on a program day due to the weather, the class will also be cancelled. If we are open, but you feel that the weather conditions make it unsafe to attend, we will give you a refund for the class. To check to see if the University is closed, please go to WZZM or WOOD TV either online or on television to see their school closings and cancellations. You may also call the university directly to see if we are open: 616-331-2020.

Special Accommodations: Please contact our office for information regarding special needs accommodations. We will work with you to insure your needs are met. (616) 331-7180 or email socialworkce@gvsu.edu