Academics / Graduate Programs / Masters Degree / Social Work

MSW Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Concentration

Prepare to serve young children and families in your practice.

One of the Nation’s Only Infant and Early Childhood Health Concentrations

An infant or young child’s mental health includes the capacity to form secure relationships with adults and peers, and the ability to experience, manage, and express a full range of emotions. These complex processes take place in the context of the child’s family, community, and culture, which are all integral components of the infant and early childhood mental health curriculum.

This is a unique opportunity for you to work with and learn from an internationally recognized faculty with extensive experience and mental health training.

High Demand Skills

Sharpen your competitive edge in the marketplace.

On Campus or Online

Choose what works best for your life and schedule.

Faculty Experts

Learn from our nationally recognized faculty and build a network of colleagues.

Specialized Field Placements

Field placements serve children pre-birth to age 5, focused on working with families.

Your Ideal Program

Depending on your goals, choose from a 2 or 3 year program.

Save a Year with Advanced Standing

If you have a BSW, you’ll waive up to 25 credit hours and save on tuition, putting your learning into practice even sooner.

Biopsychosocial Assessment and Diagnosis

This advanced clinical practice course builds on concepts developed in Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups I & II, and reflective supervision seminars and takes students’ knowledge and understanding from these courses to a more advanced level.

K435

Advanced Practice with Children, Adolescents, and Adults

This advanced clinical course introduces students to a range of theories and therapeutic approaches to practice, including integrative models; developmental models; psychodynamic and relational models; cognitive-behavioral models including both acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT); group work models; and mind-body connection models.

K454

Parent-Child Relationship Assessment in Early Childhood

This course explores social/emotional and relationship screening and assessment.

K474

Linda Gilkerson

PhD, LSW, Infant Studies Program Co-Director, Founder of Facilitating Attuned Interactions

“ Social workers are the front line for mental health and this is nowhere more important than for young children and families. Early relationship support can change a child’s life and the family’s future. Your expertise as a developmentally informed, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Social Worker is exactly what is needed to partner and help families thrive. ”