CWEL FAQ

Any caseworker, supervisor, manager, or administrator of a Pennsylvania county child welfare agency may apply provided the applicant has the prerequisite academic degree from an accredited institution of higher education; has been employed by the same agency for a minimum of two years; has at least satisfactory performance evaluations; and is granted county agency approval by the employing agency for the purpose of enrolling in the CWEL program. Those who have already started a graduate Social Work program in a CWEL school may also apply, so long as they are in good academic standing and they do not have any outstanding debts to the school in which they are enrolled. Persons in default of federal educational loans are ineligible.

Eligible students may enroll for a social work degree at the master's level in any school or department of an institution of higher education in Pennsylvania accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Board of Accreditation and approved to participate in the CWEL program based upon the school's offering child welfare-specific courses and practicum instruction (internships). Upon enrollment, students will be required to select a major area of study in keeping with the agency work assignment they expect to receive upon completion of their studies. For example, macro studies may be approved as a focus only for students who are currently in an administrative position or whose assignment immediately upon return to the agency will be administrative. CWEL funds may not be used in full or part for joint or dual degree programs.

The sponsoring county agency makes the determination of whether educational leave is granted on a full-time or part-time basis.  Many factors determine this decision at the county level, including the size of the workforce, vacancy rates, number of employees currently in school, the number of requests for educational leave, and approval by the County Commissioners or County Executive.  In some cases, a student may be granted approval by their county agency to change their program status (part-time to full-time; full-time to part-time) during the course of CWEL participation.

CWEL students enrolled in a direct practice or clinical concentration who are promoted to an administrative or supervisory role during their graduate studies may petition CWEL for approval to change to an administrative, or similar concentration or specialization, if changing concentration will not result in the need to take additional courses. CWEL will consider requests to change concentration on a case by case basis.

No. CWEL students who have not been granted a full-time academic leave from their agency to attend school must enroll in the part-time course of study for their school program.  CWEL students who are approved for part-time study are responsible for working their full-time hours at their agency. Class and practicum hours for school are in addition to those full-time hours. The CWEL program reserves the right to not approve a particular course of study for a student.

The thirteen graduate programs approved in Pennsylvania are located at Bryn Mawr College, Penn West California, Penn West Edinboro University, Kutztown University, Marywood University, Millersville University, Shippensburg University, Slippery Rock University, Temple University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, West Chester University, and Widener University. The number of openings at each school is limited and may vary from year to year. Applicants may apply to the graduate social work program at any of these schools.

Millersville and Shippensburg universities jointly offer an MSW degree program.  Effective July 2022, the PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) officially integrated California and Edinboro universities.  Along with Clarion University, the integrated entities are now known as “Pennsylvania Western University.”  Each university will integrate key functions, including admissions, core curriculum, and administrative roles while maintaining its institutional identity. For more information, refer to the PASSHE System Redesign Integration FAQ webpage.

The CWEL application deadline for most applicants is April 30th.* We begin reviewing applications at this time and continue to review them through the summer. Applications for students with advanced standing/summer start are prioritized.

The application process includes three distinct components:

• Application to one of the approved school programs,
• Request for educational leave for full-time study or approval for part-time enrollment from the county agency, and
• Online application to the CWEL program for program support. Applicants are strongly advised to pursue all three approvals simultaneously so that potential admission is not compromised.

Persons who meet the basic qualifications above must apply through the normal admissions channels and procedures to any of the thirteen approved school programs. The admissions standards for CWEL students are identical to those for all applicants to each school as published in the school's catalog and admissions materials. After the school has completed its application review and has notified the applicant of its decision, those who have been accepted will be reviewed for funding consideration by the CWEL program.

Part of the CWEL application process is documentation of admission to one of the approved school programs and approval from one's employer either for part-time study or an educational leave for full-time study. The deadline for submitting the CWEL application and resume is April 30th each year. Selection of students is based upon criteria which include commitment to a continued career in child welfare, caliber of personal statement, available funding, geographic distribution, space availability in the approved programs, date of acceptance into an approved academic program, seniority, and employer recommendations. 

*The deadline is March 15th for advanced standing applicants to Bryn Mawr College, Kutztown University, Marywood University, the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and Widener University. The application deadline for Millersville and Shippensburg universities is April 15^th for in-person program and July 15^th for the fully online program.

The purpose of the CWEL program is to strengthen the public child welfare workforce. Thus, there is a limit to the number of educational leaves any given county can grant at one time. This may be especially evident in smaller counties. County administrators have the authority to establish a county policy for prioritizing applicants, using criteria such as seniority. Persons who have been accepted by a school, but do not receive county approval to attend in the year accepted, may defer their admission as determined by the school. Persons deferring school admission must reapply to the CWEL program and secure current county agency approval prior to entering school.

Students admitted to the CWEL program for study at the master's level are required to satisfy all academic requirements for the degree program to which they are admitted in four years or less. These requirements include credit hours, grades, practicum instruction (internship), and course content in cultural diversity and interagency collaboration. In addition, there are several specific academic requirements:

• At least two child welfare courses, pre-approved by the CWEL program
• At least one practicum work assignment (internship) in a child and family focused setting serving IV-E eligible clients
• Students already enrolled in a graduate Social Work program must submit their transcripts and receive CWEL approval for their proposed remaining course of study

Normal progress toward completion of the degree as defined by the school is expected.

Persons admitted to the CWEL program for full-time study will remain in the employment of their agency on educational leave for the period of their studies. From the beginning of their academic program until its termination, employees will receive a salary equal to 95 percent of their last salary before matriculation plus the normal fringe benefits associated with the reduced salary. In addition, they will receive full or partial tuition and fees for the school in which they are enrolled, a book allowance and, in some instances, mileage for commuting to campus-based classes. Part-time students will continue in their normal employment and receive their normal salary and benefits. However, they will receive the full or partial tuition and fees incurred in their enrollment, a book allowance and, in some instances, mileage for commuting.

Yes, there are several limitations. CWEL students may not take dual degree programs or certificate programs (other than child welfare). This includes programs such as the MSW/MPA, MSS/MLSP, MSW/MPH, MSW/JD, MSW/MBA, etc. Funds also cannot be used for partial payment of dual degree programs. Additionally, CWEL funds are not available for tuition or other costs related to the completion of courses which are prerequisites for the student’s graduate Social Work education. CWEL funds may not be used to cover any costs related to courses with an overseas travel component, regardless of whether the course is for credit or not for credit.

No.  CWEL participation is exclusive to child welfare studies and for the purpose of enriching the caliber of the child welfare workforce and promoting retention.  Additional fellowship programs, such as those in Integrated Health, Behavioral Health, Addiction, and Public Health, are not permitted.

Yes. Students may not use CWEL funds for payment, in full or part, of prior student loans.   Students are not entitled tuition/fee refunds from their respective school.  These funds belong to the CWEL program and must be returned by the student in the event of a refund.  Please refer to the CWEL Handbook for additional information regarding expenses not covered by the program.

No. The CWEL program does not pay student health insurance.  Some schools automatically include a student health insurance provision that requires the student to submit an opt out response.  Students are responsible for monitoring correspondence from their respective school and providing notification of their existing health insurance coverage as a county employee. The CWEL program will not assume responsibility for health insurance charges.

You must obtain advance authorization from CWEL for all purchases of laptops, computers, IPads, tablets, Kindles, printers and any other electronic device costing $50 or more. You must contact Dr. Johnson to request authorization in advance. Only the book/supply amount available to the student in the semester of purchase can be used for electronic devices; the purchase is deducted from the total amount available for that semester. Funds cannot be advanced. Please be aware that purchases made in a student’s final semester of study will only be authorized in exceptional circumstances. Requests will be considered on a case by case basis.

Should a student opt-in for electronic course materials, those fees may be submitted for reimbursement.  There are different procedures to follow for this reimbursement, depending upon which school a student attends.

Students attending the University of Pittsburgh should enter electronic course material fees as a single expense with no other reimbursement requests for mileage, other books, or fees. Once received, that reimbursement will be directly applied to the Pitt student's account.  All other CWEL students should submit electronic course material fees as they would any other expense.

Students may wish to take courses or fieldwork in the summer.  For full-time students, summer enrollment is in addition to the requirement of returning to their agency for full-time employment. All summer courses must be approved in advance by the CWEL program and preference is given to part-time students whose course of study requires summer coursework. There may be occasions in which summer courses will not be approved for full- time students due to budgetary constraints unless the student is enrolled in a one-year advanced standing program. Full-time students may not take more than one course during the summer term.

No. CWEL funds are available only for tuition and fees at the in-state, Pennsylvania rate.  Students living outside of Pennsylvania are responsible for the difference in out-of-state tuition/fee costs.

No, CWEL students may not register for any classes (credit or non-credit) which involve foreign travel, even if they are able to pay for the class using non-CWEL funds. Title IV-E funds are domestic and are not available, in full or in part, for overseas travel.

No, regulations established by CSWE stipulate that programs may not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience (EPAS, 3.1.5).  

Please note that CSWE approved the 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards in June 2022.

The Council on Social Work Education permits students to use their employment site for practicum placement when specific criteria are met.  CWEL students are guided by the work-based internship policy in place at their respective school.  At a minimum, employment (work-based) internships must include an approved agreement between both the school and the agency, a formal Practicum Learning Plan identifying new areas of learning that are linked directly to the nine social work competencies, and activities commensurate with the level of practice (generalist or specialized).  Practicum education supervision must be distinct from employment supervision time, even when provided by the same qualified supervisor. The CWEL program recognizes that policies regarding employment-based practicum vary across school programs and that students from the same agency who attend different schools may have different employment-based practicum requirements. The CWEL program will support each partnering school’s policy and procedures for employment (work-based) internships.

Persons enrolled in the CWEL program will be required to sign a legally binding contract agreeing to return for employment to the agency from which they were granted educational leave immediately following termination of their studies. This provision is a strict requirement in compliance with federal regulations. The contractual period of employment will be equal in time to the period for which the student/employee received financial support. In addition, enrollees must return to the agency for assignment during any school vacation period exceeding fifteen work days, including any school summer vacation period or academic terms which end early due to unprecedented circumstances. CWEL salary support will continue during these periods and will be included in the period of financial support to be satisfied by the employment commitment. Persons who do not complete the contractual work commitment will be required to repay in cash the value of all funds paid to them or on their behalf. The work commitment for part-time students will be prorated so that it will not exceed the commitment of full-time students enrolled in the same degree program in the same school.

The CWEL faculty maintain close contact with CWEL students and graduates. Students are required to provide the details of their course and internship activities each academic term, submit reimbursement requests on a regular and timely basis, and to attend scheduled meetings with CWEL faculty. Meetings are held virtually and may also be convened at campus locations throughout the state when conditions permit.  Graduates are required to keep the CWEL program advised of any changes of name, address, or employment during the period of their CWEL work commitment. Both students and graduates are expected to participate in CWEL's annual program evaluation.

The CWEL student's employer will determine which full-time students are granted educational leave, in accordance with agency policy, and grant such leave for the duration of the student's enrollment; maintain the student's salary and fringe benefits at the 95 percent level; provide work assignments during student vacation or semester end periods in excess of fifteen work days; and provide suitable employment for the student for at least the period of the contractual work commitment following termination of the student's educational program. The employer will be reimbursed for the student's salary and fringe benefits during the enrollment period. Suitable employment will be an assignment providing, supervising, or administering services to Title IV-E eligible children and their families and commensurate with the employee's abilities and training. For part-time students, employers will participate with the student and school in arranging a work and academic schedule designed to help the student complete the degree program as expeditiously as possible.

The School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh administers the CWEL program for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The University of Pittsburgh assists each county, student, and school participating in the program to make all the necessary arrangements prior to, during, and following the student's enrollment. Questions, technical assistance, contract monitoring, student employment and commitment obligations, financial administration, curriculum, and related matters are handled by the University of Pittsburgh.

Principal Investigator
Helen Cahalane, Ph.D., ACSW, LCSW
University of Pittsburgh
School of Social Work
2033 Cathedral of Learning
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-6386
E-mail: hcupgh@pitt.edu

Child Welfare Agency Coordinator
Laura Borish, MSW, LSW
University of Pittsburgh
School of Social Work
2012 Cathedral of Learning
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: 412-648-2371
E-mail: lbb14@pitt.edu

CWEL Academic Coordinator
Alicia Johnson, Ph.D.
University of Pittsburgh
School of Social Work
2030 Cathedral of Learning
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-6387
E-mail: adj56@pitt.edu

CWEL faculty and staff are best reached by email.  We may also be reached by phone toll-free at 1-866-ASK-CWEL (1-866-275-2935).  The program fax number at the University of Pittsburgh is 412-624-1159.

Listed below are the addresses and phone numbers of the thirteen participating school programs. Students wishing to participate in the joint Millersville/Shippensburg program may apply through either Millersville University or Shippensburg University. All applicants must apply to the school(s) of their choice by the admission deadline specified by the school(s).

Bryn Mawr College
Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research 
300 Airdale Road
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-1697 
610-520-2600

PennWest-California University
College of Education and Human Services
Department of Social Work
250 University Avenue
California, PA 15419-1394
724-938-4022

PennWest Edinboro
College of Science and Health Professions
Department of Social Work
Hendricks Hall G38
235 Scotland Road
Edinboro, PA 16444
814-732-2013

Kutztown University
Department of Social Work
339 Old Main
Kutztown, PA 19530
610-683-4235

Marywood University
College of Health and Human Services
School of Social Work
2300 Adams Avenue
2^nd floor, Immaculata Hall
Scranton, PA 18509-1598
570-348-8262 x 2398

Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Social Work Department
Stayer Hall, Room 301
Millersville, PA 17551-0302
717-871-7170

Shippensburg University
Department of Social Work and Gerontology
382 Shippen Hall
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg, PA 17257
717-477-1276

Slippery Rock University 
Department of Social Work and Public Health
117 Jack Dinger Building
Slippery Rock, PA  16057
724-738-4493

Temple University
College of Public Health
School of Social Work
1101 W. Montgomery Avenue, 3^rd floor
Philadelphia, PA  19122
215-204-5806

University of Pennsylvania
School of Social Policy and Practice
Masters of Social Work Program
3701 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6214
215-898-5512

University of Pittsburgh
School of Social Work
Office of Admissions
2101 Cathedral of Learning
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-6302

West Chester University
Office of Graduate Studies
Department of Social Work
Anderson Hall
725 S. Church Street
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2664

Widener University
College of Health and Human Services
Center for Social Work Education
Bruce Hall
1604 Walnut Street
Chester, PA 19013-5792
610-499-1153