Advanced Certificate in Oncology Social Work Practice (MSW) Program
Cancer Happens Everywhere
This program is currently on hold.
The Advanced Certificate in Oncology Social Work Practice is designed for current healthcare social workers to gain superior knowledge and skills for work with individuals, families, and communities impacted by cancer. Our unique hybrid online and immersion program offers a world class learning opportunity in a highly interactive, relational, and convenient format.
We combine an immersive campus weekend with interactive, online course delivery that supports learning for working professionals, wherever they live and work. Learners will travel to the University of Pennsylvania’s campus in mid-October for an intensive weekend of learning alongside peers and building relationships with nationally recognized social work leaders. Online classes using videoconferencing are then offered twice per month.
To learn more, email us at sp2oncology@upenn.edu.
What is Oncology Social Work?
Oncology social work is a specialization within social work practice that addresses the psychosocial needs of individuals, families, and communities impacted by cancer. Emerging from a long tradition of social work in healthcare, the sub-specialty of oncology social work has flourished in the last century as biomedical advances transformed cancer from a terminal to a chronic disease. Despite these advances, a diagnosis of cancer is often emotionally and financially devastating. Through multi-systemic and holistic practice, research, education, and advocacy, social workers are integral to providing comprehensive care to people with cancer.
Program Leadership
The Advanced Certificate in Oncology Social Work Practice is led by a team of nationally recognized oncology social workers and allied health and mental health professionals with expertise in cancer research, training, and practice. Each module will be led by a renowned leader who will bring their experience and knowledge to the program.
Werner-Lin, A. & Merrill, S., & Brandt, A. (2018). Talking with children and adolescents about a BRCA mutation in the family: A developmental approach for parents. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 27(3), 533-548. Online. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-017-0191-7.
Young, J., Werner-Lin, A., Mueller, R., Hoskins, L., Epstein, N. & Greene, M. (2017). Following BRCA1/2 mutation-positive women during their reproductive years: A longitudinal case series. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2017.1292574(opens in a new tab)
Werner-Lin, A., McCoyd, J., Doyle, M. H. & Gehlert, S. (2016). Leadership, literacy, and translational expertise in genomics: A grand challenge for social work. Health and Social Work. 41 (4): 275-280. doi: 10.1093/hsw/hlw045
Werner-Lin, A. (2015). Emerging Adults Supplemental Reading: “Cancer doesn’t have an age:” Transitions to adulthood against the backdrop of anticipated illness and loss. In McCoyd, JLM & Walter, CA (Eds) Grief and loss across the lifespan: A biopsychosocial perspective (2nd Ed.) New York: Springer Publishing.
Werner-Lin, A. (2015). The oncology social worker and genomics. In. G. Christ, C. Messner & L. Behar (Eds). Handbook of Oncology Social Work. Oxford University Press: New York, NY.
Hoskins, L.M., Werner-Lin, A., & Greene, M.H. (2014). In their own words: Treating BRCA1/2 mutation-positive women in their emerging adult years (ePub). PLoS ONE, 9(2): e87696.
Werner-Lin, A., Hoskins, L.M., Doyle, M.H. & Greene, M.H. (2012). “Cancer doesn’t have an age“: Genetic testing and cancer risk management in BRCA1/2 mutation-positive women aged 18-24. Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness, and Medicine. 16(6), 636-654.
Werner-Lin, A., Rubin, L.R., Doyle, M.H., Rapp, R., Stern, R., Savin, K., Hurley, K., & Sagi, M. (2012). ‘My funky genetics’: BRCA1/2 mutation carriers’ understanding of genetic inheritance and reproductive merger in the context of new repro-genetic technologies. Families, Systems & Health, 30(2), 166-180.
Werner-Lin, A., & Biank, N.M. (2012). Holding parents so they can hold their children: Grief work with surviving spouses to support parentally bereaved children. OMEGA: Journal of Death & Dying, 66 (1) 1-16.
