VALPARAISO – Valparaiso University is leading the way in shaping standards and defining an emerging field with the nation’s first public safety social work certificate program. Through this initiative, the University is poised to make a significant impact on the national conversation around standards and best practices in public safety social work.

“We’re breaking ground. What we’re doing here will likely shape what the initial national regulations look like,” said Matthew Ringenberg, Ph.D., associate professor of social work and MSW program director. “There are a couple universities that offer classes related to this topic, but we’re the only one offering this certificate program to students and professionals.”

The certificate program will exist as both an add-on option for current Master of Social Work (MSW) students and as a way for current MSW graduates to gain additional knowledge and training in a field lacking in learning opportunities.

Caroline Ban, MSW, creator of the certificate program and associate professor of social work, has focused her academic career on studying the history and challenges of social work in the public safety sector, including interviews with active emergency responders, and contributions to related podcasts such as Hey Chaplain: The Police Wellness Podcast. Now, as she spearheads this certificate program, Ban is putting that expertise to practice.

“What I’ve learned from current workers is that the vast majority of them wish they had more specialized training for this field,” Professor Ban said. “This is a way to meet the needs of people already in the field as well as our students. The certificate is the best way to accomplish both goals.”

Joining Ban as a faculty member in the new program is Sam Burgett, ’20 MSW, LSW, an adjunct instructor in sociology and criminology, as well as the first embedded police social worker for the Valparaiso Police Department and Porter County Sheriff’s Office. Now, she aims to help others navigate the field and the communities she has worked with.

“By sharing my real-world experiences in the field, our students will gain valuable insight into what to expect in their roles serving the community,” Burgett said.

The goal of embedded social workers in public safety spaces is to provide expertise and resources to handle situations where traditional responses, such as arrests, may not be the most effective approach for either responders or the person experiencing a crisis. These scenarios often involve mental health crises in which no crime has been committed, yet intervention is still necessary. Students in the public safety social work certificate program learn to navigate those needs through coursework in crisis intervention and community mental health and recovery, and optionally, psychopathology.

Taking on a new role within an established public safety agency can present challenges beyond the responsibilities of the role itself. That’s why one of the certificate’s goals is preparing students to work with professionals whose mindsets and procedures may differ significantly from those in traditional social work settings.

“We don’t assume that a police station should be a social service agency. At the same time, it’s critical that they understand intervention strategies and work to develop protocols, which are more successful when done collaboratively,” professor Ringenberg said. “That’s a key aspect of the education we provide.”

“Valpo stresses servant-leadership as a key tenet of its education. If we look at social workers in public safety and crisis settings, leadership is essential,” Professor Ban said. “This certificate takes social workers who are servants of the community and gives them the tools to be leaders in those public safety settings.”

The public safety social work certificate is part of Valparaiso University’s larger MSW program.

About Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University is an independent, Doctoral/Professional University with a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum in Valparaiso, Indiana. Nearly 2,500 students and 191 full-time faculty comprise a community of learning dedicated to excellence and grounded in the Lutheran tradition of scholarship, freedom and faith. Valpo is nationally recognized for the quality and innovative character of its academic programs. Valparaiso University offers more than 100 majors and minors through the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Nursing and Health Professions and Christ College — The Honors College.