Postgraduate Certificate in Ecological Justice for Social Workers
The course, developed by the Institute for Social Work and Ecological Justice, will incorporate practical and actionable curriculum for social workers, across the practice spectrum by addressing the effects of climate change on the most vulnerable populations.
Program Overview
Adelphi University’s Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development has opened up applications for the Post-Graduate Ecological Justice Certificate Program for Social Workers. This course, developed in partnership with the Institute for Social Work and Environmental Justice (ISWEJ), will incorporate practical and actionable curriculum for social workers, across the practice spectrum by addressing the effects of climate change on the most vulnerable populations. Exploring strategies applicable at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels through the lens of the Grand Challenges of Social Work, participants will examine current and potential interventions that support resilience in clients, communities, and the environment.
In this project-based course each participant will craft an intervention that brings the principles of environmental social work into their personal or professional life. Three course assignments are carefully designed to guide students as they build these interventions. Like seeds, these interventions are planted during the 10-week course to grow and actualize in the future.
Sessions
- Dates: The virtual sessions are held weekly on Thursdays, beginning January 8, 2026 – March 19, 2026 (No class held on February 19, 2026)
- Times: 7:00pm – 9:25pm
- Format: Virtual via Zoom
| Session | Date | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 8, 2026 | Drawing Connections: Social Work and The Climate Crisis |
| 2 | January 15, 2026 | Intersections with Racism & Achieving Equal Opportunity and Environmental Justice |
| 3 | January 22, 2026 | Climate Thinking and Multi-Solving |
| 4 | January 29, 2026 | Mental Health, Environmental Justice, and Wellbeing |
| 5 | February 5, 2026 | Food Security and Climate Impacts |
| 6 | February 12, 2026 | Homelessness, Migration, and the Climate Crisis |
| 7 | February 26, 2026 | Climate Impacts Across Generations |
| 8 | March 5, 2026 | The Gender Gap |
| 9 | March 12, 2026 | Returning Citizens and Smart Decarceration |
| 10 | March 19, 2026 | Presentations |
Completing this solution-focused course will expand participants’ critical thinking capacity and improve their efficacy in service by exploring social and environmental interventions. Participants can market their new skills in a rapidly changing world, where the onslaught of environmental crises consistently illuminates the unequal burden of negative impacts on populations social workers serve. The Post Graduate Ecological Justice certificate emphasizes the value of turning environmental obstacles into opportunities to advance social justice in ways that resonate well beyond the semester.
Attendance
Active participation is essential to the learning experience in this certificate program.
- Required Attendance: Participants are expected to attend all scheduled sessions.
- One Absence: If a participant misses one class, they must complete a designated make-up assignment before the end of the course in order to remain eligible for a certificate. It is up to the participant to reach out to the instructor for make-up assignment.
- More Than One Absence: Participants who miss more than one class will not be eligible to receive a certificate of completion. They are, however, welcome to continue in the program to benefit from the remaining content and discussions.
Our policy ensures that participants engage fully with the curriculum and with their cohort, which is central to the program’s collaborative learning environment
Fees
The program cost is $1,350, which includes all related materials, including a book, mailed directly to you and edited by Dr. Kelly Smith.
A deposit of $250 will be required to secure space upon acceptance into the course. Payment plans are available. Please contact swconted@adelphi.edu for more information.
Available Discounts
- 20% for Adelphi alumni
- 35% for veterans
- 15% for past attendees of the ISWEJ/Adelphi Ecological Justice and Social Work Conference or Symposium (please contact our team at swconted@adelphi.edu for a registration code)
Apply for this certificate! Upon your acceptance to the program, you will be sent a link to formally register for the course.
Lead Faculty
Kelly Smith, DSW, MEd, MSc
Dr. Kelly Smith is the founder and director of the Institute for Social Work and Environmental Justice developing programming to build social workers’ capacity to confront environmental challenges related to climate change. Kelly earned her doctorate in social work from the University of Southern California, where she was honored with The Order of Arête and Phi Alpha Honor Society memberships. She is also a member of the Advisory Counsel for the Grand Challenge to Create Social Responses to the Changing Environment. Kelly holds a master’s degree in Gender and Social Policy from the London School of Economics and a second master’s degree in secondary education. For more information about sustainability and social work, and Dr. Smith’s scholarship, please visit the ISWEJ website.
Credentialling Information
Credits: 24 CEs
Upon course completion, participants will be awarded a formal certificate of completion, 24 CEs and a digital badge. To receive approved continuing education credits, participants must attend the entire training or workshop and submit a completed evaluation form.
See full credentialing information and CEUs
Cancellation Policy
Please note that we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations made within seven business days of the event or for no-shows. However, if you notify us at least 24 hours in advance, we can issue a credit toward a future workshop. No credit will be provided for cancellations made less than 24 hours before the event.