Loyola SMHAPP Certificate Testimonials

Dianna Phelps, M.A., Loyola SMHAPP graduate, MTSS Specialist, Philadelphia Public Schools, PA

"I completed this program and it was fantastic. I learned so much; it provided me with the knowledge and skills that I needed to go deeper with my work. Seriously, it was the best professional decision I’ve made. Also, you can complete this program remotely. No need to live in Chicago. That’s just a bonus."

Mike Flood MSW, School Social Worker, Skokie, IL

"In my opinion, the Loyola SMHAPP program has been totally worth it, especially since it's so readily applicable to daily practice. Working and collaborating with other school social workers and other school mental health professionals has been awesome. The program is divided up into an online seminar and online modules. The seminar has been wildly helpful in helping me push through on some school-based initiatives I wanted to start, and also gave me the structure and support I needed to see them through. The modules on EBP, data-driven decision-making, and strength-based interventions have all been wonderful resources. In short, my favorite part is the instant applicability of what we learn. I feel like every time I do "homework" I have a list of ideas and strategies for implementation that I want to try the next day at work!"

Sean Delaney MSW, Director of Counseling, Wellness, and Support Services, Columbus School for Girls, OH

"The coursework, collaboration and cohort model have proven to be even more engaging, insightful and practical than I could have imagined. We have the opportunity to share experiences, resources and expertise with colleagues in the school-based mental health field - worth the time and money alone. The interactive portion of the class is the highlight of my (every other) Tuesday night! The modules also provide tremendous insights and resources around important topical areas. Through the readings, discussions and online modules I am consistently noting something to try, propose or implement in my current practice setting."

Carlos A. Evans Jr. MSW, School Social Worker, Peoria, IL; President, Illinois Association of School Social Workers

"As school social workers, there are times when we facilitate groups using a specific curriculum that claims to be evidence-based. How often, though, do we check the evidence to learn whether or not the intervention is appropriate for the population we serve? How often do we evaluate the services we provide to students and families to check on our own level of success based on the intervention we facilitated? Who finds time for all of this? I recently was challenged to ask myself these questions as a student in Loyola University's School Mental Health Advanced Practice Certificate Program. I want to encourage all school social workers to advocate for themselves and for what they envision their role to be in your school or district. If you find yourself desiring a better understanding of evidence-based practice and working with data, I encourage you to think about applying to Loyola’s School Mental Health Advanced Practice Certificate Program taught online by Dr. Kelly and other guest speakers. I have gained so much useful information - I believe we should all pursue this certificate."

This program consists of 15 credit hours, including two synchronous courses, two asynchronous online courses, and one hybrid elective class. All courses are offered online with the exception of one in-person immersion weekend required. Courses are offered during the fall and spring semesters.

SOWK 780/781 Integrative Seminar I

(3 credits, online, taught over the full 1st year)
This course introduces the key ideas of the certificate and builds the 2-year professional learning community (PLC) for each cohort. Students identify the topic for their School-Change Project, a 2-year systemic intervention designed to address the SEL needs for their school community, and conduct an initial needs assessment with key school stakeholders. Based on that needs assessment data and other key ideas within the various SMHAPP courses, students put together a proposal for their project, to begin implementing in year 2.

SOWK 782/783 Integrative Seminar II

(3 credits, online, taught over the full 2nd year)
This 2nd year of their cohort course gives students advanced training in the data-driven, evidence-informed techniques they need to implement their School-Change Project, and also gives them opportunities to develop expertise in communicating their ideas through articles for the SSWN website, webinars for the SSWNetwork social media site, and collaborations with other cohort members in co-teaching course material.

SOWK 784:  Evidence-Based Practice in Schools

(3 credits, online, can take in either Year 1 or Year 2)
Foundational course, devoted to helping students learn the critical components of evidence-informed practice, including the 5-step process for using EBP to help school clients.  Students will go in-depth on some of the key areas of interventions in schools to acquire up-to-date knowledge about "what works" in school mental health and how to best implement EBP in their school practice.

SOWK 785:  Strength-based Interventions in Schools (SFBT, MI)

(3 credits, online, may take in either Year 1 or Year 2)
This course provides a significant exposure to key strength-based treatment modalities and tools for school clinicians. Topics covered include solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, and DBT/mindfulness training.

SOWK 786:  Special Topics in Advanced School Mental Health Practice

(3 credits, online & includes the summer immersion weekend)
Diving Deeper into Data in School Mental Health
The ultimate goal of this course is to increase the skill set of mental health professionals in the application of assessment, data gathering and data analysis tools to inform the design of interventions to help remove barriers to learning.

The program begins in the Fall semester (August). Courses are offered during the fall and spring semesters. Average time to completion (full-time) is 2 years (4 semesters).

The total cost of the program is $10,000 for four semesters of coursework.

Applications to the ASMHPP program are accepted for Fall term only. Applications and required materials are due August 1.

You must submit:

• A Completed Application Form
  You may submit your application form online. (gpem.luc.edu/apply)
  
  
  
• Official Transcripts
  Applicants must submit official transcripts for all undergraduate and any graduate work. To be eligible for admission, your transcript must show an earned bachelor's degree or a bachelor's degree in progress. Certified copies of transcripts are acceptable; faxed copies of transcripts are not considered official. If you attended Loyola University Chicago previously, you do not need to request these transcripts; we have them on record.
  
  
• Two Letters of Recommendation
  If you supply your recommender's email address as part of your completed online application form, then your recommendation letters may be submitted online. Or, your recommenders may mail them to:
  
  Graduate & Professional Enrollment Management
  820 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1200
  Chicago, IL 60611
  
  We ask that you submit no more than three letters of recommendation.  Recommendation letters can come from academic, professional or volunteer sources.  One of each is recommended.  If you graduated less than 5 years ago, at least one reference should be from an academic source.
  
  
• Proof of Current Employment in a School Setting       
  Applicants must provide a letter from your agency or district’s Human Resources department confirming that you are working at least part-time in or for a school district. 
  
  
• A Statement of Purpose
  
  In a double-spaced, typed essay, please submit a statement of purpose on the topic below:
  
  The overarching goal of the ASMHPP is to equip you with new information and skills to prepare you for leadership in school mental health work in your school and school district. Please describe how you became interested in completing a certificate in school mental health practice, specifically why you wanted additional training to build on your prior graduate work.
  
  Describe how you hope to use this program to enhance your present position in your district. In addition, please outline what you see as the three most important issues in your school/district that you hope to address with the additional training you will receive from the ASMHPP.