If it is your desire to overcome difficult challenges in people’s lives you desire to help people overcome difficult challenges in their lives? If yes, then, you can start your career by simply enrolling in the free online courses with certificates in social work.
These free online courses in social work skills are designed to advance your understanding of mental health issues, substance abuse, and fundraising for nonprofit organizations.
The BLS speculates that the positions of available social workers are expected to grow by 16% over the next decade, a rate of growth faster than that of most other occupations.
Also, from research, this rate is stipulated to create 110,000 new jobs.
You have to understand that online social work courses are not only suitable for those considering a career in social work, but they can also make great options for those advancing an existing career or wanting to expand their skills in social service.
If you will like to enroll in any of these courses, carefully follow this article below and apply for the option that best suits your demand.
What Is Social Work
Social work can be defined as a practice-based profession that promotes social change, development, cohesion and the empowerment of people and communities.
That means it is all about understanding human development, and human behavior, as well as social, economic and cultural institutions and interactions.
Social work professionals that work with families and institutions have helped to provide and advance the social impacts that I will be listed below:
- Unemployment insurance
- Civil rights
- Disability Pay
- Worker’s compensation
- Reduced mental health stigma
- Medicaid and Medicare
- Child abuse and Neglect Prevention
Social workers work in settings such as:
- mental health clinics
- schools
- child welfare
- social services agencies
- hospitals
- settlement centers
- community development corporations
- private practices.
There are different types of social workers and the career possibilities of social workers are numerous. Some of these opportunities exist in the macro, micro and mezzo levels.
- School Social Worker
- Military Social Worker
- Community Social Worker
- Mental Health Social Worker
School Social Worker
In most schools, you will find social workers and they serve as a vice and advocate of students.
A social school worker works with teachers, parents and staff to ensure that students can thrive well, in and out of the classroom.
Military Social Worker
A military social worker educates and works with members of the armed forces as well as their families to help them when there are unique challenges to face in their line of work.
Community Social Worker
Instead of working with a single person, a community social worker assesses a group as a whole and implements measures and changes that are meant for the betterment of everyone.
Mental Health Social Worker
Mental health social workers provide additional support for individuals with mental illnesses or mental health disorders.
They spend their time assessing and treating people with mental health issues providing them with feedback and assistance to address these behavioral and emotional issues.
How Can I Get A Free Social Work Degree Online?
Choosing to take an online course in order to learn a new skill, or even just as a refresher for the skills you already have is a way of boosting your career.
Below are some of the steps you can take in order to get enrolled in any of the Free Online Courses with Certificates in Social Work. However, If you want to take a paid course and need money, you can apply at PaydayPot.
- Select the school that offer Social Service Course online
- Complete the online application
- Interview
- Start Lectures
Select the school that offer Social Service Course online
The very first step towards choosing any of the free online courses with certificates in social work is to choose a suitable school that you think is perfect for the free online courses with certificates in social work.
Complete the online application
The second step is to complete the online application for any of the free online courses with certificates in social work.
During the registration process, you will be likely required to set up an account that includes some personal information.
Unlike other online courses, a social work class may require that upload the electronic versions of your passport photograph, CV, personal statements and other documents.
Interview
Just a few of the free online courses with certificates social work require interviews.
Most times these interviews can be conducted on phone or on Skype.
An interview conducted on Skype is just like a traditional interview. All you need to do is to ensure that the camera of your computer is working well and that you have a good internet connection.
It might be necessary to dress formally if such interviews are to be conducted.
Start Lectures
The next thing after completing the online registration and interview is to enroll for classes.
In this section, you are able to choose a specialization and when you subscribe to a course that is part of the specialization, you are automatically subscribed to the full program.
The length of any of the free online courses with certificates social work varies and it all depends on the schools and the course providers.
There are courses that can be completed in as little as five weeks while some can take as much as a year to complete.
A typical free online course with certificates in social work lasts 12 weeks while some may take up to 14 weeks, all depending on the type of program.
It is also important to understand that the duration of your online courses lies in your power. Most instructors give out assignments at the beginning of the program, and if a course is meant to last for nine weeks, it is dependent on you to complete and submit your work as you choose.
List of the Best Free Online Social Work Courses With Certificates
below is a list of the 12 free online courses with certificates social work, that offer a huge range of topics that will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to prepare for a professional career as a social worker.
- Introduction to Psychology
- The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness
- Opioid Crisis
- Fundraising for the Non-Profit
- The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Confronting Gender-Based Violence: Global Lessons for Healthcare workers
- Children’s Human Rights – An Interdisciplinary Introduction
- Community Organizing for Social Justice
- Understanding Violence
- Gender and Sexuality: Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
- Psychodiagnostics and Psychological Assessment
Let us review some of these free online courses with certificates social work.
Introduction to Psychology
This is an online specialization in social work is an online specialization that is provided by Introduction to Psychology is an online specialization in Social Work provided by the University of Toronto via Coursera.
The school is one of the leading institutions in innovation and research and has over 200,000 people enrolled in this online specialization.
The course is designed to teach interesting experiments within the field of psychology, discussing the various implications of those studies for an easy understanding of the human mind and behavior.
The coursework also covers a thorough examination of human development, the various forms of mental illness as well as the treatment for those who are suffering from such things.
The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness
With a history that dates back to 1827, the University of Toronto is one of few of the world’s leading universities that offer social service courses online through Coursera.
This specialization has about 16,830 students enrolled for free training.
In this course, you will learn how social factors promote mental health, influence the onset and course of mental illness, and affect how mental illnesses are diagnosed and treated.
By the end of this training, you will have an understanding of how mental health and illness have been influenced by social attitudes and social developments in North America and around the world.
Opioid Crisis
This is an important specialization in Social work. Opioids are a class of drugs often used as medicines because they can relieve pain but they are also highly addictive.
In about 2 hours of lectures each day, you will learn the medical and non-medical uses of opioids and the human and economic costs related to opioid misuse. This course currently has 3,241 students enrolled.
At the end of this course, you will gain an understanding of opioid medicines and the opioid crisis.
Fundraising for the Non-Profit
Fundraising for the Non-Profit is one of the top-rated free online courses with certificates in social work available.
This specialization features Christine Benninger who was president of the Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) for 17 years.
The situation of the organization at the time she joined prompted her to quickly implement a six-month plan to keep the organization afloat.
This course is provided by Standford University in collaboration with Alison via Coursera. There are12,085 total enrollment of students.
By the end of this program, you will learn how to raise funds for non-profit organizations and understand the power of a mission from Christine Benninger.
To obtain certification in this specialization, you must score 80% and above.
The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs
The University of Toronto offers one of the most sought-after free online social work courses with certificates. This online course currently has 49,022 enrollment.
It is open to everyone including applicants who have already obtained a university degree in social work.
Coursework covers the following topics;
- Basic concepts of The Strategies and Skills Learning and Development System (SSLD).
- Basic practice principles and methods of SSLD, illustrated by relationship management case studies.
- The SSLD framework for relationship management assessment; N3C (needs, circumstances, characteristics, capacity) and problem translation.
- Core competencies in the relationship management application of the SSLD system: Observation learning, simulation, real-life implementation, review, and monitoring.
At the end of this training, you will understand the importance of every day relationships and provide advanced concepts for participants who work in the fields of social work and health care.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Looking for one of the best social works courses online with a certificate? The University of California Davis (UCDavis) provides free training to interested participants in Autism Spectrum Disorder via Coursera.
In this course-which is one of the free online courses with certificates in social work-you will learn the fundamental understanding of what ASD is, how it is diagnosed, the primary areas of impairment, and why prevalence is increasing.
Join the rest of 49,672 students already enrolled and learn all about Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Confronting Gender-Based Violence: Global Lessons for Healthcare Workers
John Hopkins University is one of the largest universities in the country and also the best social works school in the world. The school provides free online training for social workers through Coursera. Currently have 12,363 enrollment.
Enrolling in this specialization will expose you to a global perspective on gender-based violence (GBV). Coursework covers the following core curriculum;
- Introduction of GBV from a global perspective, with an emphasis on ensuring a strong health sector response to GBV and teaching key competencies for social workers and other healthcare workers.
- Honors curriculum offered by experts from around the world helps students dive deeper into certain issues, and touches on unique populations and specialized topics.
After the completion of this course, you will receive a certification if you meet the pass mark.
Children’s Human Rights – An Interdisciplinary Introduction
You can’t boost up being a Social Worker if you fail to have a deeper understanding of this specialization. Provided by the University of Geneva via Coursera.
This is one of the free online courses with certificates social work that focuses on the development of Children’s Human Rights, as well as on the evolution of the challenges faced by children over time and society’s efforts to respond.
You will learn the international strategies and programs promoting children’s rights and also the role of key actors involved in international organizations working in this field.
At the end of this training, you will gain an overview of the most important features of children’s human rights.
Community Organizing for Social Justice
This Specialization is one of the free online courses with certificates social work offered by the University of Michigan via Coursera.
Coursework covers the following core topics;
- Strategies for community organizing for social justice in a diverse, democratic society.
- The core concepts of social justice and practical steps for bringing people together to set goals and priorities, assess community assets and needs, develop action plans, and build support for implementation.
- You will learn how to form core groups, build organizational capacity, and formulate a strategy for reaching out to constituents and allies.
This course features a variety of learning acclivities, information on successful programs, individual instructions, and small group exercises, as well as hands-on materials for problem-solving and program planning.
By the end of this course, you will gain ideas that you need to create change in communities, everywhere.
Understanding Violence
Emory University offers social work free online courses by providing OpenCourseWare courses, as well as an online study platform that gives students a chance to interact with Instructors with fellow classmates.
This specialization already has 17,907 enrollment.
This course will introduce you to experts who study different forms of violence. You will learn the various causes of violence also the efforts to reduce violence and engage in a day of compassion.
Gender and Sexuality: Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Gender and Sexuality is an online social service course offered by the University of Pittsburgh through Coursera. There are 12,193 already enrolled.
This specialization will introduce you to the exciting field of gender, sexuality, and women’s studies, and to LGBTQIA identities.
You will learn through the use of a range of interdisciplinary concepts, tools, and methods to understand and analyze how identity shapes our experiences in culture and in the workplace.
At the end of this course, you will be familiar with the key concepts that will help you to interpret and understand the world we share.
Psychodiagnostics and Psychological Assessment
Psychodiagnostics and Psychological Assessment is a powerful social service course option provided by Tomsk State University via Coursera.
This course features 5 modules. Every module is broken into 4-6 topics. Some of the topics include;
- The technology of getting “informed consent” with a client about Psychodiagnostics and assessment procedure.
- To assess the compliance of the proposed Psychodiagnostics programs with the final testing objectives.
- You will understand the variety of ways to assess the different characteristics of a person.
- Learn the possibilities of Psychodiagnostics of this or that characteristic of a person with the use of various diagnostic techniques.
- You will be able to determine the level of reliability of the received diagnostic data.
Apply
What are some universities for these Free Online Courses with Certificates Social Work?
- John Hopkins university
- University of California Davis
- University of Southern California
- Tomsk State University
- University of Toronto
- University of Pittsburgh
- Emory University
- University of Michigan
- University of Geneva
>>>>25 Social Work Scholarships for Graduate Students & Undergraduate students<<<<
Social Work Courses: coursera.org
Yes, it was helpful, and these are great resources. Just a suggestion, I would recommend incorporating trainings around race and bias in the future. Thank you.