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: $150
CEUs: 6
Online via Canvas Catalog • 3 hours
Instructor: Aaron Katz, MPP
Topic: Managing Staff
In this module on Human Resources (HR), we will explore the strategies and challenges related to recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and employee development in human services. An effective manager must understand aspects of staff motivation, autonomy, and organizational culture to manage others. We will focus on Self Determination Theory and various types of motivators to help participants develop their management skills. This portion of the training will include specific tools and exercises focused on supervision and management in clinical environments. Participants will self-reflect on the managerial process, focusing on how to be a good coach when managing staff. We will reflect on the values and biases we bring to the process of motivating and managing others, giving special attention to the challenges of managing different types of staff members within human services.
Online via Canvas Catalog • 3 hours
Instructor: Aaron Katz, MPP
Topic: Managing Teams
In this module on Human Resources (HR), we will explore the strategies and challenges related to recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and employee development in human services. Participants will gain insight into their own leadership and management style by completing the Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness (DISC) assessment. We will utilize the DISC assessment to set individual management goals to address real world issues in the field: from developing team motivation, to creating a problem solving culture, to increasing team efficiency. In addition to the DISC, participants will learn process improvement techniques focused upon balancing each team member’s strengths, overall team functioning, and the influence of funders.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will understand the importance of Self Determination Theory.
- Participants will understand various types of motivators and when to utilize them.
- Participants will develop a framework to coach staff members within the human services field.
- Participants will explore problem solving approaches to managing staff.
- Each participant will learn their management style and techniques to focus on the strengths of their style.
- Participants will receive an introduction to team management tools.
- Participants will develop an individual plan to utilize for the future management of their teams.
Six Hours
Course Fee: $150
CEUs: 6
Online via Canvas Catalog • 3 hours
Instructor: Patrick J. McCabe, MBA, MSW, LICSW
Topic: Financial Management
Management requires being able to design a program's budget and understand how to manage a budget. The session will first provide an introduction to 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 key financial statements. The course 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
In Grant Writing, which will be taught over the course of two 1.5-hour recorded sessions, we will discuss what elements make a grant that funders want to fund, finding the “right” funder for your agency, determining your “sweet-spot” for funders, and leveraging that knowledge to win grants. The session will also explore ways to sustain funding after the grant expires, and how to write grants for various funders including philanthropists, private and family foundations, state and local governments, and federal grants, all of which require very different and varied components. We will also review how the new dynamic of grant writing caused by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic has changed what foundations are looking for. By the end of the session, participants will be able to understand and identify the most receptive funder for their cause.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will gain a foundation on the entire grants process (prospect research, stewardship, grant writing, grant submission, and follow-up).
- Participants will review how to draft a competitive grant proposal (standard vs. COVID-19).
- Participants will determine ways to increase institutional giving at their organization.
Six Hours
Course Fee: $150
CEUs: 6
Online via Canvas Catalog • 4 hours
Instructors: Daniela Thermora, MEd, LMHC
Topic: DEI Considerations in Clinical Supervision
In this module, we will discuss how supervision and management relations have cultural, racial-ethnic, and other aspects that shape core assumptions, attitudes, and values of the persons involved and that may enhance or impede supervision and/or management effectiveness. Participants will be offered tools for establishing a culture of inclusion and cultural responsiveness in supervision, management, and the workplace. The course addresses the value of having a diverse workplace and the steps leaders in an organization can take to encourage and leverage differences. We will explore the concepts of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for strategic change in a non-profit organization. Today an effective manager must understand the business case for fundamentally making DEI concepts the core work of any forward-thinking organization. We will focus on DEI Principles, Dr. Ken Hardy’s VCR work - which is Validate, Challenge, and Request - when oppression, bias, or any “ism” shows up in communication.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will identify practices of culturally sensitive supervision and/or management.
- Participants will understand the dynamics of power and privilege as a supervisor and/or manager, and within a diverse workplace.
- Participants will describe how diversity goes beyond age, race, and gender, and will understand the value of a diverse workplace.
- Participants will adopt a management style that encourages diversity and inclusion.
- Participants will understand Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion vocabulary and safe/brave space concepts.
- Participants will practice Courageous Conversations around difficult topics of Oppression.
- Participants will learn the negative effects of White Fragility and the importance of understanding Privilege.
Online via Canvas Catalog • 2 hours
Instructors: Daniela Thermora, MEd, LMHC
Topic: DEI Considerations in Staff Retention
In this module, we will discuss how to build and support an inclusive environment in order to recruit, hire, and retain your staff. When staff feel valued, comfortable, and safe in their workplace, they perform better. We will learn and talk about DEI focused recruitment, career development, and retention practices that help organizations not just say they are interested in supporting their staff as whole people, but actually do it.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn how to build an inclusive culture.
- Participants will learn to create professional pathways that have an equity lens.
- Participants will develop tools to implement and advance DEI initiatives.
- Participants will learn ways to develop a sense of “having a seat at the table” and belonging for their staff.
Six Hours
Course Fee: $150
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: $150
CEUs: 6
Management & Supervision in Human Services Instructors
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 $150 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).