Declaring the PPS Credential Program

PPS Declaration Process and Timeline

The School Social Work Credential Preparation Program operates similar to a Berkeley graduate certificate program. Students wishing to pursue the PPS/SSW credential submit an online declaration form indicating their interest, and then complete all of the requirements necessary to become eligible for an online credential recommendation upon completion of the program.

All students use the online PPSC Declaration and Documentation Form to declare their intent to pursue the Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work (PPS/SSW), and to provide information about or upload documentation indicating they have satisfied the requirements to be eligible for a credential recommendation from Berkeley Social Welfare. The online declaration form collects all required information and documentation needed to verify eligibility for receiving the online credential recommendation from Berkeley. 

Students can submit as many updates to the online PPSC Declaration and Documentation Form as necessary while completing PPS/SSW program requirements. Once all credential requirements have been satisfied, typically upon completion of the MSW program, PPS/SSW candidates will also use this same form to submit the request for an online credential recommendation from Berkeley.

Initial Application

Students seeking the PPS/SSW must submit an initial PPSC Declaration and Documentation FormBEFORE accruing any field placement hours that will count towards the PPSC field experience requirement. 

The Initial Application submission must include all of the following:

  1. PPSC Goal Statement Upload a PDF or Word document with a brief personal goal statement (1-2 typed pages), addressing:

    1. development of your interest in school social work and your goals in applying to the PPS credential program;
    2. how you see that earning a PPS credential in School Social Work will advance your professional practice; and
    3. how you intend to utilize this credential to serve disadvantaged pupils.

  2. Completed Live Scan Form 41-LSA filled-out copy of your CTC Live Scan Form 41-LS is required in order for us to access your Educator Record to verify that you have a valid Certificate of Clearance issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). You can upload a PDF of your Live Scan form in the “Fingerprinting Verification” section of the PPSC declaration form.

  3. Certificate of Clearance Document NumberOnce you have completed the Live Scan fingerprinting process you must submit an online application to CTC for the Certificate of Clearance. When your clearance document is issued, you will be able to retrieve it from the CTC Online system. Please enter the Certificate of Clearance document number and the date it was issued in the “Certificate of Clearance Verification” section of your PPSC Declaration and Documentation Form.

  4. Evidence of or plan for satisfying the Basic Skills RequirementIndicate in the “Basic Skills Requirement Verification” section of your Initial Application submission how you are satisfying the Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST, alternative exam, or current valid CTC teaching credential). Upload an official copy of your CBEST score card or alternative examination score report. Screenshots are NOT acceptable.

  5. School-based field placement informationFor any school-based field placement that you will use to satisfy the PPS field experience requirement, please provide the School Placement Site Name; Field Instructor Name; School Placement Start Date; School Placement End Date; and indicate the Grade Levels you will be working with at your school-based field placement.