Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I complete the TIBH Certificate while enrolled in MU's Social Work Graduate School, or will it add length to the required social work curriculum?
You CAN complete the Certificate during the typical timeline for completing your graduate degree at MU’s School of Social Work. The Certificate is structured so that courses “count” to meet requirements of your graduate degree and requirements of the Certificate, simultaneously. Completion of the Certificate will require students to take additional credits. However, students can complete the Certificate in the standard MSW timeframe if they plan and coordinate with the Certificate Coordinator.
- Must I be a student at Millersville University or Shippensburg University to participate in the Certificate?
No, students enrolled in related graduate programs (e.g. Social Work, Psychology, Educational Psychology, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Fine Arts, or related mental health disciplines) at MU or at other universities can apply to the Certificate program and select either track if they meet Certificate requirements.
Professionals who already hold graduate degrees in related fields are also invited to apply to the Certificate program.
- If my graduate degree is not in social work, can I still participate in the certificate?
Yes! If you are interested in the Certificate, meeting with the Certificate Coordinator will help you to determine whether your related education and experience align well with the requirements and goals of the TIBH Certificate. Related fields include, but are not limited to, psychology, education, health and wellness, and the arts.
- Must I have previous experience in the arts to participate in the TIBH Certificate?
No! An important tenet of the expressive arts is that engaging in arts, no matter your “level” or previous experience, can, when facilitated appropriately, lead to healing, growth, and development.
- Do I have to have access to horses to “make use of” the EATL track?
No! Once viewed as a niche strategy available only to those who work directly with horses, contemporary equine-assisted therapies and learning are situated within the larger scholarly framework of the expressive arts. Lessons learned through partnerships with horses and other animals transcend direct equine partnerships and can be utilized in traditional settings. This track of the certificate offers learners first-hand experiences through experiential learning, and these experiences convey broader lessons related to innovation and transformative practice in the helping professions.