The Child Welfare Training Project

The Child Welfare Training Project at Northern Arizona University is a competitive field placement for students pursuing a Master or Bachelor of Social Work. The project recruits and prepares social worker students to be effective child welfare specialists who promote the well-being of children and families at risk for abuse and neglect. Funding is provided by the Child Welfare Field Education and Student Support Project, a Title IV-E grant.

All accepted Northern Arizona University candidates will receive financial aid covering up to two years of NAU tuition. MSW candidates also receive a $500/month stipend and MSW program fees paid. Upon successful completion, CWTP graduates receive immediate, full-time, professional employment with Arizona Department of Child Safety as Child Safety Specialists.

• The application is fully online and available now
• Application deadlines
  • Fall application deadline is October 1
  • Spring application deadline is February 1
• The application link includes all necessary documents to complete and upload into the online application. Documents are also linked below.
  • Application for Employment Part 1
  • Application for Employment Part 2
  • Certification of Criminal Offense
  • DCS Consent to Release
  • DCS Specialist Job Functions & Employment Requirement
  • CSO-1131A Interstate Central Registry Release of Information for DCS check

For your application to be considered, you must meet all of the following criteria before you submit.

• You have a GPA of at least 2.5, and passed SW 220 with a grade of B or higher.
• You are a matriculated student at NAU’s Flagstaff Mountain Campus. Online/remote participation is not possible at this time.
• You are willing and able to work full-time for Arizona’s DCS upon graduation.
• You are a United States citizen, resident alien or permanent resident.
• Either:
  • You have been admitted into the NAU BSW Program, and are in good academic standing OR
  • You have submitted an application to the NAU BSW Program.

For your application to be considered, you must meet all of the following criteria before you submit.

• You have a GPA of at least 3.0.
• You must be able to complete field placement at the DCS agency in Flagstaff, AZ.
• You are willing and able to work full-time for Arizona’s DCS upon graduation.
• You are a United States citizen, resident alien or permanent resident.
• Either:
  • You have been admitted into the NAU MSW Program, and are in good academic standing OR
  • You have submitted an application to the NAU MSW Program.

1. Completed application packets will be accepted year-round.
2. The student’s application materials are reviewed after the close of the application period (October 1, or February 1, whichever is sooner).
3. Promising candidates will receive an initial interview with CWTP’s leadership staff
4. Select applicants will receive a second interview, this time with a panel of DCS Training Officers and Supervisors
5. Notification letters are mailed to all applicants.

The CWTP provides financial support and practical experience to prepare social work undergraduate and graduate students for careers serving vulnerable children and families in Arizona. In return, students agree to work for the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) after graduation.

Work placement with Arizona’s Department of Child Safety is a mandatory part of the contract and full-time employment begins immediately upon graduation. Students who plan to begin graduate school immediately after obtaining their BSW should take this into account. Similarly, students are required to live in Arizona, near the job site where they are placed after graduation, to complete their contracted work time.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) interns

• Tuition support: Up to 2 years of in-state tuition paid.
• Work obligation: Up to 24 months, depending on the number of semesters tuition assistance is received.

Master of Social Work (MSW) interns

1-year advanced standing

• Tuition support: Up to 1 year of in-state tuition paid.
• Stipend: $500/month for up to 12 months.
• Program fee: $660 per semester; fee covered by CWTP while active in program.
• Work obligation: 18 months.

2-year online MSW

• Tuition support: Up to 2 years of online tuition paid.
• Stipend: $500/month for up to 20 months.
• Program fee: $660 per semester; fee covered by CWTP while active in program.
• Work obligation: Up to 24 months.