Management & Supervision in Human Services
Certificate Program
The Management and Supervision in Human Services Certificate program is geared toward professionals who find themselves in a management or supervisory role at an agency or organization, yet have not had formal management training or leadership experience. Participants will gain an overview of managing in human services and the HR process, managing staff and teams, diversity considerations in clinical supervision, financial management and grant writing, as well as legal and ethical considerations for both the workplace and clients.
Target Audience: Intended for the experienced clinician.
Asynchronous Courses - Pre-Recorded
- Online participants are required to have a computer with video and audio capability.
- The courses below are pre-recorded, comprising approximately four 1.5-hour sessions each.
- Participants will have 120 days from the date of registration to complete the courses.
Online via Canvas Catalog • 3 hours
Instructor: Shannon Lee, MEd, LCSW
Topic: Managing in Human Services
This module is tailored for professionals in the human services sector, focusing on the essentials of funding mechanisms, leadership dynamics, and team development. It is designed to provide participants with a practical overview of managing finances, making informed decisions, and leading with confidence. Participants will gain an understanding of how to align team goals with organizational strategy, along with insights into the latest best practices in the field. The knowledge gained from this module will empower participants to drive impactful change and foster a culture of success within their team and the broader community they serve.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will gain a clear understanding of funding sources in human services and learn how policy changes influence management strategies.
- Participants will refine their leadership skills through studying diverse styles and decision-making processes, and learn to foster a positive organizational culture alongside robust workforce development.
- Participants will develop techniques to build and lead high-performing teams, with an emphasis on effective communication, inclusivity, and conflict resolution to promote collaboration and innovation.
Online via Canvas Catalog • 3 hours
Instructor: Shannon Lee, MEd, LCSW
Topic: Human Resources
This module is tailored for professionals in the human services sector, focusing on the essentials of funding mechanisms, leadership dynamics, and team development. We will emphasize the importance of diverse experiences, career advancement, and employee satisfaction while also addressing issues related to rising stars, challenging employees, and performance concerns.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will understand the historical context and growth of Human Resources.
- Participants will comprehend the key elements of Human Resources, including recruitment, retention, compliance, and operational support in human services.
- Participants will develop a framework for creating an environment that promotes career advancement.
- Participants will acquire skills in meaningful supervision and motivation techniques that go beyond compliance.
- Participants will learn how to address performance concerns and termination effectively.
Six Hours
Course Fee: $180
CEUs: 6
Online via Canvas Catalog • 3 hours
Instructor: Julia MacMahon, MSW
Topic: Managing Staff
Stepping into a management role is both exciting and challenging. This module supports new managers in building a strong foundation in staff supervision and leadership within the unique context of human services. Participants explore key areas such as recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and employee development. With a focus on real-world application, the course introduces practical tools and strategies for navigating new responsibilities. Topics include Self-Determination Theory, staff motivation, and effective feedback. Through guided self-reflection, participants begin developing a personal management style while learning to foster engagement and autonomy. The module also addresses organizational culture, unconscious bias, and managing a diverse workforce. Participants will gain actionable skills, greater self-awareness, and the confidence to lead with purpose and empathy.
Online via Canvas Catalog • 3 hours
Instructor: Julia MacMahon, MSW
Topic: Managing Teams
This module supports new managers in human services in building the skills to lead effective, collaborative teams. Building on concepts from Module 1, it introduces core strategies for navigating the challenges and opportunities of team leadership in human services settings. A central feature is the DISC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Conscientiousness) assessment, which helps participants understand their leadership style. Using their DISC profile, participants set individual management goals and apply them to real-world scenarios like team motivation, problem-solving, and efficiency. The module also explores situational leadership—how to adapt one’s approach based on staff readiness, experience, and needs—to strengthen team dynamics and outcomes. Participants leave with a deeper understanding of their leadership approach and practical tools to guide, support, and motivate their teams toward shared goals.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will explain the core principles of Self-Determination Theory and its relevance to staff motivation.
- Participants will identify different types of motivators and when and how to apply them.
- Participants will build a practical coaching framework tailored to the needs of staff in human services settings.
- Participants will deliver clear, constructive feedback that supports employee growth and accountability.
- Participants will evaluate several problem-solving strategies to common management challenges.
- Participants will assess their own management style using the DISC assessment and identify ways to leverage their strengths.
- Participants will learn to apply situational leadership principles to adapt their management approach and effectively support team members at different levels of readiness and experience.
- Participants will create a personalized plan to guide their future management and team development efforts.
Coming Soon!
Six Hours
Course Fee: $200
CEUs: 6
Online via Canvas Catalog • 3 hours
Instructor: Tatiana Schettini, MSW, LCSW
Topic: Financial Management
Financial management requires being able to design a program's budget and understand how to manage a budget. The session will first introduce budgeting, the purpose of budgeting, the budget process, and how to work with a budget variance. The second half of the session will cover compensation, benefits, and understanding of key financial statements. The module will utilize lectures and activities to help you learn the skills to develop and manage a budget and understand the finances of a non-profit organization.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn how non-profit organizations use, develop, and manage budgets, along with adjusting for variances.
- Participants will learn basic compensation concepts.
- Participants will be introduced to the five basic financial statements used in non-profit organizations.
Online via Canvas Catalog • 3 hours
Instructor: Sandy Saenbounmy, MSW
Topic: Grant Writing
Identifying and securing grant funding is essential for many social workers across sectors, from nonprofit organizations to healthcare agencies and schools. In today’s shifting economic climate, marked by tighter budgets and increasingly competitive funding, knowing how to navigate the grants process is more important than ever. This module provides a comprehensive overview of the entire grants cycle, including how to identify funding opportunities, assess alignment between funder and organizational priorities, craft compelling requests, and manage post-award activities. This module also addresses common challenges, like limited staff capacity and complex reporting requirements, through case studies and real-world examples. By the end of this module, you will have a deeper understanding of the funding landscape and will learn approaches to bolster institutional giving at your organization.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will enhance their understanding of the grants process (prospecting, grant writing, grant submission, and stewardship).
- Participants will develop strategic approaches to each phase of the grants cycle.
- Participants will learn how to strengthen institutional giving at their organization.
Coming Soon!
Six Hours
Course Fee: $180
CEUs: 6
Online via Canvas Catalog • 6 hours
Instructor: TBD
Coming Soon!
Six Hours
Course Fee: $180
CEUs: 6
Online via Canvas Catalog • 3 hours
Instructor: Karen Dexter, MSW, JD
Topic: Service Delivery, Clients, and Our Ethics
In Service Delivery, Clients, and Our Ethics, a two-part series consisting of 1.5-hour recorded sessions, we will examine the legal and ethical considerations in client care. This module will explore how our Code of Ethics guides professional practice and the importance of applying a Cultural Humility lens to ensure ethical client care. Participants will develop an understanding of ethical mandates for best practices and review key sources of legal and ethical directives. We will also discuss disclosure obligations, including mandated reporting, commitments, and HIPAA regulations, along with its exceptions. Finally, we will explore strategies for analyzing ethical and legal dilemmas while upholding the principles of cultural humility.
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will identify cultural humility as a core principle in fostering ethical and effective professional relationships with clients.
2. Participants will become familiar with the NASW Code of Ethics and its practical applications.
3. Participants will understand the various sources of legal obligations and directives that impact practice with clients.
4. Participants will develop skills to consult the law and ethical standards when engaging in problem-solving.
Online via Canvas Catalog • 3 hours
Instructor: Karen Dexter, MSW, JD
Topic: Service Delivery, The Law, and Our Workplace
In Service Delivery, The Law, and Our Workplace, a two-part series consisting of 1.5-hour recorded sessions, we will examine legal and ethical standards in problem-solving, review key laws affecting social work practice, and consider their ethical implications in day to day practice in the workplace. We will explore ethical decision-making processes, recognizing situations that require careful analysis, particularly in the evolving landscape of telebehavioral health and multi-state practice. Additionally, participants will gain an understanding of how ethical and legal commitments influence decisions related to organizing and managing practice environments.
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will develop skills to consult the law and ethical standards when engaging in problem-solving in the workplace.
2. Participants will review some of the laws that impact social work practice.
3. Participants will explore ethical decision-making processes and recognize situations that require ethical analysis in the evolving telebehavioral health and multi-state practice landscape.
4. Participants will appreciate how ethical and legal commitments shape decisions about organizing and managing practice environments.
Six Hours
Course Fee: $180
CEUs: 6
Management & Supervision in Human Services Instructors
General Admission
General Admission for each 6-hour, pre-recorded course is $180, or $200 for The Managerial Process, to cover costs of the DISC assessment.
Certificate Information:
To receive the certificate, participants must complete the five courses in the program within three years of initial registration.
Each asynchronous/pre-recorded course will be offered year-round. Asynchronous/pre-recorded courses offer six hours of self-paced instruction and must be completed within 120 days from the date of registration.
General Information:
You must be at least 18 years old to participate in the Management and Supervision in Human Services courses. All sales are final; we are not able to offer refunds. Registrations may not be transferred to another person or to another course, workshop, or program.
Online registration is required to participate in a course. Tuition for each certificate course is $180 (or $200 for The Managerial Process) to be paid by debit or credit card. Registrations will be processed upon receipt of payment. Payment is due in full in order to enroll.
These courses are approved for CEUs for Social Workers in MA, CT, RI, and VT. They meet the requirements for Continuing Education Hours established by the State Board of Social Worker Licensure in ME. If your state is not listed, please check with your local state licensing board to ensure the course meets state requirements prior to registering.
Boston College Continuing Education is required to ensure attendance to award CEUs. Participants must attend the complete program(s) they register for to receive CEUs; we are not able to award partial CEUs. Those who do not complete an entire course will be unable to receive CEUs.
Getting to Campus
Parking is available at the nearby Beacon Street and Commonwealth Avenue Garages. Discounted parking passes are available upon registration.
Boston College is also accessible via public transportation (MBTA B Line - Boston College).