Case Management School
Are you interested in attending case management school? If so, there are a number of different training options that you can pursue in order to learn the skills you'll need to become a successful case manager, such as social justice, research methods, ethics, and practical case management skills.
A four-year bachelor's degree program in social work, which contains case management content, is designed for high school or GED graduates entering the field. Fieldwork in a social service agency or related organization is sometimes part of the program requirements.
Earning a certificate in case management signifies mastery of case management techniques and theory to employers and can normally be achieved in 6-8 weeks. For acceptance into the program, applicants must already have a bachelor's degree and experience working in the healthcare or social services industry.
Master's degree programs, including master's degree in nursing case management programs, are intended for experienced workers who already earned a bachelor's degree in a related field of study. For the master's degree in nursing case management, students will need to be a registered nurse (RN) and have a bachelor's degree in nursing. Earning a masters degree typically takes two years.
Practical work can help students get experience in case management. The need for licensure will depend on the career path a student chooses.
Case Management Training Programs
Bachelor's Degree Programs in Social Work
Bachelor's degree programs in social work provide a well-rounded base of knowledge for those aspiring to become case managers in settings such as community service agencies or health care facilities. Case managers work to plan and coordinate consistent quality care for patients and clients, and bachelor's programs in social work examine relevant topics like client interviewing, assessment, case management, crisis intervention and community outreach.
The curriculum for these programs focuses on problem solving techniques, how to improve the lives of clients and how to help develop social policies. Typical course topics include:
- Social welfare programs, policies and issues
- Social work research methods
- Human behavior and the social environment
- Social justice
- Social work statistics
- Social work practice with individuals and families
Certificate Programs in Case Management
For healthcare professionals and social workers, another path to case management is through a certificate program in case management. These programs teach students to allocate budget dollars in order to get the most out of available resources. They also cover how to work collaboratively with clients, their families and their care providers.
The course curriculum is designed to prepare professionals for new career outlets in their field. Course topics for a certificate or diploma of case management may be:
- Effective case management in the community
- Effective case management in healthcare systems
- Clinical ethics
- Life care planning
- Physical and psychological factors
- Legal responsibilities
Master's Degree Programs in Nursing Case Management
Master's degree programs, including master's degree in nursing case management programs, are programs where individuals can train to become case managers. The curriculum for these programs is designed to develop students' critical thinking, planning and decision-making skills in order to prepare them to become effective leaders in the constantly changing healthcare industry. A master's degree in nursing case management can normally be obtained in two years of full-time study. To be accepted into the program, a prospective student must be a licensed RN with clinical work experience and a bachelor's degree in nursing.
Coursework is designed to help students gain the ability to create the highest quality patient care while utilizing techniques in cost-effectiveness. Typical course topics may include:
- Analysis of health policy
- Financing in health care
- Evaluation and quality assurance methods
- Research methods in case management
- Management in healthcare delivery systems
- Biostatistics
Case Management Courses
Throughout your case management training, you'll take many different classes and case management seminars. The list below includes some details about specific classes that will be integral to your development of important case management skills.
- Social justice: A primary focus of the field of social work is achieving justice for all individuals. In this class, you'll learn methods to help make sure that resources are distributed evenly across all groups of people.
- Social work research methods: Social work is a constantly evolving field. In this class, you will learn how to conduct, read, and interpret research that advances our understanding of social work and social justice.
- Clinical ethics: People working in a healthcare setting, including case managers, must often make difficult decisions that have ethical implications. This class focuses on ethical principles and how they can be used to guide clinical decision making.
- Life care planning: Case managers who work in healthcare often help patients who will be receiving care for the rest of their lives. This class covers the skills necessary to help people manage longitudinal care and end of life issues.
- Analysis of health policy: Laws and legislation play a major role in our healthcare system. This class teaches case managers the skills necessary to analyze, interpret, and follow healthcare policies.
Case Management Career Information
Employment Outlook and Salary Info
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the employment of social workers, including case managers, would rise by 13% between 2019-2029 (www.bls.gov). This growth is due to an increasingly aging population and a need for healthcare social workers. According to the BLS, the median salary for social workers was $50,470 as of May 2019.
Popular Career Choices
Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to enter into careers in case management. Case managers are in high-demand, as many organizations realize the value they have in helping to create a smoothly running operation and improve client's resources. While job titles are often labeled as case manager, these kinds of professionals may take on a variety of types of case management, including:
- Planner
- Community organizer
- Consultant
- Diagnostician
- Evaluator
Continuing Education, Licensure and Advancement
Completing a bachelor's program in social work qualifies graduates for entry-level work in the mental health field, as case managers, mental health assistants, and related positions. Many graduates choose to pursue a master's degree in social work in order to advance to higher-level positions and qualify to become licensed clinical social workers (LCSW). Advanced degrees are also required for positions in research, teaching and consulting.
Many states have optional licensure for nonclinical social workers, and all states regulate the licensure of clinical social workers. Most states require that, to become a LCSW, individuals must possess a master's degree in social work, acquire two years of supervised clinical experience and pass an exam, according to the BLS.
Individuals wanting to become social workers and case managers should look into one of the many types of case management training programs. These programs are offered at the bachelor's degree, post graduate certificate and master's degree levels, and can prepare students for LCSW licensure.
