Giving
Social Work Certificate

Latin American-Origin Communities Certificate

Preparing MSW students for culturally responsive, justice-centered social work practice with Latin American–origin communities.
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Program Overview

The UCLA Luskin Department of Social Welfare’s Advanced Social Work Practice with Latin American–Origin Communities Certificate provides MSW students with specialized preparation to work effectively with Latin American–origin individuals, families, and communities.

Grounded in social justice, anti-racist practice, cultural humility, and human rights, the certificate prepares students to understand the diverse experiences and structural factors affecting Latin American–origin communities and to apply culturally and linguistically responsive approaches across social work settings.

The certificate builds on years of MSW student advocacy, faculty collaboration, and departmental investment in strengthening preparation for practice with Latin American–origin communities. Its development also builds on a related course piloted in Spring 2023, which demonstrated strong student interest and engagement.

  • Justice-Focused Practice: Integrates anti-racist, decolonial, intersectional, and social justice frameworks into social work education and practice.

  • Community-Centered Training: Develops skills for working with individuals, families, organizations, and communities across diverse social service settings.

  • Language & Cultural Responsiveness: Emphasizes cultural humility, linguistic responsiveness, and an understanding of the diverse experiences of Latin American–origin communities.

  • Specialized Practice: Prepares MSW students for advanced, culturally responsive social work practice with Latin American–origin communities.
Student smiles at classmates during Luskin Graduate Student Orientation 2025.

Eligibility and Application Information

The certificate is open to UCLA MSW students of all backgrounds. Students do not need to be of Latin American origin or speak Spanish to participate.

Applications for the inaugural cohort will open in Fall 2026. Applicants must be enrolled in the UCLA Master of Social Work program and commit to completing the full three-course sequence during the 2027–28 academic year, in the prescribed order, as well as participating fully in certificate-related activities and communications.

Applicants will submit:

  • An online application.
  • A brief statement describing how the certificate aligns with their professional goals and interest in advanced social work practice with Latin American–origin communities.

Additional application instructions and deadlines will be posted when applications open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Certificate Coursework

 Students admitted to the certificate commit to completing the full three-course sequence during the 2027–28 academic year, enrolling in one required course each quarter and participating fully in certificate-related activities and communications. Through this coursework, students develop skills in culturally responsive practice, policy analysis, language and communication, immigration and social systems, community engagement, and ethical professional practice. Decolonial Modes of Thinking for Social Work Practice with Latin American–Origin Communities
| Students examine decolonial modes of thinking, critical consciousness, Chicana feminist scholarship, LatCrit perspectives and structural approaches to social work practice. The course emphasizes diversity within Latin American–origin communities while developing foundations for ethical, culturally responsive practice. Advanced Social Work Practice with Latin American–Origin Communities
| This course develops competencies in engagement, assessment, intervention planning, policy navigation and evaluation. Students strengthen their ability to work effectively with Latin American–origin individuals, families, groups and communities across diverse service settings. Linguistic, Meaning-Making, and Social Work Practice within Latin American–Origin Communities
| Students explore language-responsive social work practice through communication, interpretation, translation, culturally grounded healing traditions and community-based knowledge. Spanish language proficiency is not required for this course or for participation in the certificate.

Contact

Carlos Eduardo Santos, PhD
Certificate Director, Department of Social Welfare
(Academic, Curriculum and Advising Questions)
santos@luskin.ucla.edu

Ervin Huang
Department of Social Welfare
(Applications, Deadlines and Program Logistics)
ervin@luskin.ucla.edu

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