Post-Graduate Certificate in Environmental Justice and Social Work
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Incorporate practical and actionable curriculum for social workers by addressing the effects of climate change on the most vulnerable populations with Kelly Smith, DSW, MEd, MSc.
Adelphi University’s Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development will launch the first Environmental Justice Certificate Program for Social Workers in the nation this Fall. The course, developed by the Institute for Social Work and Environmental Justice, will incorporate practical and actionable curriculum for social workers by addressing the effects of climate change on the most vulnerable populations. Using the various lenses of micro, mezzo, and macro levels, participants will examine current and potential social work interventions that build resiliency in clients, communities, and the environment.
The new course will appeal to social workers, and other helping professionals, at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Participants can market their new skills in a rapidly changing world, where situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the impact of environmental injustice, in the form of air pollution, on marginalized populations who experienced higher rates of severe illness and death. Furthermore, participants will learn the benefits of ensuring environmental justice on their professional goals and recognize multisolving for the traditional purposes of social work alongside positive environmental measures to multiply benefits.
This solution-focused course will differentiate social workers by expanding their critical thinking and improving their efficacy. The course will culminate with a non-disposable assignment where participants explore possible environmental interventions with the populations they serve. This final assessment encourages students to bring their learning experiences into the world by actualizing the social work concepts explored in the coursework. The benefits of the Environmental Justice certificate emphasize the value of turning obstacles into teachable moments that resonate beyond the course scope. Upon acceptance, you will be sent a link to 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 Council for Social Work Education’s Environmental Justice Curricular Guide Task Force. 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 Dr. Smith’s research, please visit the ISWEJ website.
Who Is It For
- LCSW
- LMSW
- LMFT
- LCAT
- Psychologists
- CASAC (pending OASAS approval)
Dates and Topics
Thursday Nights from 7:00–9:00 p.m. September 17–December 10 (No class on Thanksgiving, November 26)
| Session | Date | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 17 | Drawing connections between traditional social work goals, climate science, and environmental justice |
| 2 | September 24 | History of social work environmental advocacy |
| 3 | October 1 | Climate Thinking & Multi-solving |
| 4 | October 8 | Mental Health, Environmental Justice, and Wellbeing |
| 5 | October 15 | Disaster Impacts and Spirals of Vulnerability |
| 6 | October 22 | Homelessness, Migration, and the Climate Crisis |
| 7 | October 29 | Aging Populations and the Climate Crisis |
| 8 | November 5 | Child Welfare and Environmental Justice |
| 9 | November 12 | Returning Citizens and Smart Decarceration |
| 10 | November 19 | Climate Impact and the Gender Gap |
| 11 | December 3 | Food Security and Climate Impacts |
| 12 | December 10 | Achieving Equal Opportunity and Environmental Justice |
Fees
Cost of program, all related materials and 24 CE’s: $1320.00 Special Introductory Pricing! A deposit of $250.00 will be required to secure space upon acceptance into the course. Payment plans available. Available Discounts Include:
- 20% discount for Field Instructor and Alumni
- 35% discount for Veterans and Current Students
Please review the cancellation and refund policy noted here on our website.
Continuing Education Credits
This program has been approved for the following continuing education credits:
- Social Workers
- LMHC
- LMFT
- CASAC Renewal
- Psychology
- LCAT
Successful completion for the award of approved continuing education credits requires attendance at entire training/workshop and submission of a completed evaluation form. See full credentialing information and CEUs New York State Office of the Professions (NYSED) regulations require that participants must be present for the entire approved educational activity in order to receive a certificate for continuing education hours. There is no accommodation in the State regulations for late arrival, late return from lunch or breaks, or early departure. According to NYSED, in order to award social work CEs; “When you offer a multi-day or multi-part course/educational activity, the learner must complete all parts in order to earn the certificate for contact hours, in the same way that a student must complete a semester-long course to receive college credit. You may not award partial credit for a program, even a one-day program, if the learner does not complete all requirements at that time.”
Cancellation Policy
Unfortunately, we cannot provide refunds for cancellations made seven working days or fewer before the event for any reason—or for no-shows. We can provide credit towards a future workshop up to 24 hours before the event. After that, no credit will be issued.
Accessibility Statement
The Student Access Office ensures equal access to all of Adelphi University’s programs, services and facilities for students with documented needs. Through assistance, advocacy and reasonable accommodations, the office provides an accessible and supportive campus environment. The Student Access Office provides cost-free assistance and services that are tailored to meet the needs of individuals based on their specific, appropriately documented needs, while preserving Adelphi’s academic integrity and high standards of academic expectations and performance If you are a student with a documented disability and wish to request accommodation services, please submit a Petition for Reasonable Accommodations form along with the required information as detailed in the Guidelines for Documentation. Please be aware that all decisions regarding accommodations and equal access are made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and prevailing University Policy. For further information, please contact the Student Access Office at 516.877.3806 or sao@adelphi.edu.
Zoom Video Conferencing
You will receive a unique Zoom Video Conferencing link that will provide you entry into the workshop one day prior to the event. This link will be active approximately a half-hour prior to the start of the event. To familiarize yourself with the Zoom platform, see these tips to get started, or view this instructional video. General System Requirements for Zoom
- Internet connection
- Speakers and a microphone
- Webcam
Please take the time to check your technology prior to the event, as there will be limited opportunities to troubleshoot any issues once the event begins!