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COURSE DETAILS

Overview

This course explores the evolution of palliative care social work as a distinct specialty, with particular attention to the professional challenges and opportunities that emerge as clinicians move beyond generalist practice. You will examine the historical foundations of the field, the palliative care social worker’s role within interdisciplinary teams, and the competencies that distinguish specialty-level practice. Emphasis is placed on role clarity, professional identity, and navigating the increasing complexity of contemporary palliative care settings. Course includes weekly optional Zoom meeting.

What You'll Learn

• Distinguish specialty-level palliative care social work from generalist practice
• Clarify the palliative care social worker’s role within interdisciplinary teams
• Apply core competencies for advanced practice in complex care settings
• Navigate professional challenges unique to specialty palliative care work
• Strengthen professional identity and role clarity
• Identify opportunities for leadership and impact in evolving palliative care systems

What You'll Earn

18 continuing education (CE) credits provided through California State University San Marcos (ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ®) Extended Learning, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and approved by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, Provider #PCE-3405

Who Should Enroll

Students enrolling in this course should have a Master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling/therapy, or closely related field, preferably with clinical application/experience.

Completion and Refunds

Cancellations may be made up to the day before the first day of the course; a refund will be issued minus an administrative fee of $35. No refunds are possible for withdrawals once the course starts.

• Advanced Practice Palliative Care Social Work: Focused, Specialty-Level Learning for Experienced Clinicians

  Palliative care social work has matured into a distinct and highly skilled specialty—one that requires more than introductory knowledge or broad overviews. As the field has grown, so too have the educational options available to social workers seeking training. This redesigned course series was intentionally developed to meet the needs of experienced palliative care social workers who are already practicing in complex clinical environments and who are seeking depth, refinement, and professional integration, rather than basic orientation.

  Originally offered as a comprehensive eight-month program, this curriculum has been thoughtfully re-envisioned in response to changes in the continuing education landscape, evolving workforce demands, and feedback from seasoned practitioners. The result is a flexible, four-course series that distills the most meaningful and practice-relevant content of the original program into focused, stand-alone learning experiences that can be taken individually or sequentially.

  These courses are not designed to replace foundational palliative care training. Instead, they are intended to complement existing programs by offering advanced clinical reflection, applied skill development, ethical analysis, and leadership growth for social workers who are already functioning at—or aspiring to—specialty level practice. Each course is instructor-led, grounded in real-world clinical experience, and structured to support thoughtful engagement, professional dialogue, and integration into daily practice.

  You will find a learning environment that values:

  • Clinical nuance over checklists
  • Reflection and judgment alongside evidence-based frameworks
  • Interdisciplinary leadership, not just role clarity
  • Sustainability, ethics, and meaning in long-term palliative care work