Case Management Certification and Courses
Learn what case managers do, and about degree programs that include courses in health and social services case management. Find out the requirements for certification through professional organizations.
What Does a Case Manager Do?
As a case manager, you assess client needs, plan and implement a course of action and monitor progression of a client's case. Case managers typically work in the health or social services fields. You may work as a case manager within a field in which you already have experience, such as nursing, social work or health care.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Job Description</b></td><td>Assess needs, plan and implement a course of action, monitor progress</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Degree Options</b></td><td>Specialization within a program, certificate program</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Course Options</b></td><td>Reporting techniques, ethics, effective case management, life term planning, client assessment</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Certification Options</b></td><td>Accredited Case Manager designation, Certified Case Manager designation, certifications for sub-specialties</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2021)*</b></td><td> $41,691 (for case managers)</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)**</b></td><td>14% (for counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists, including case managers)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *PayScale.com, **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---HowDoIBecomeOne">How Do I Become One?</h3><p>Case management is not typically offered as a stand-alone degree program. More commonly, you can find case management as a specialization inside another degree program, as a certificate program or as a single course designed to teach you the necessary skills to add case management to your job skills. These programs or courses are often designed for those who are already nurses, physicians, social workers or counselors. Additionally, some programs and courses require you to already have a basic understanding or experience with case management.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCoursesMightITake">What Courses Might I Take?</h3><p>Within a certificate program or concentration, you may take courses in effective case management, ethics and reporting techniques. You can also choose courses relevant to your specific field. Case management-specific courses include medical case management, life term planning, mental health issues and client assessment. They may count as continuing education credits for health care professionals. Some programs or courses may be offered online.
</p><h3 id="section---HowDoesCertificationWork">How Does Certification Work?</h3><p>Certification for case managers is voluntary and available through several different agencies. The American Case Management Association offers an Accredited Case Manager designation for those who are either registered nurses or social workers and have two years of experience in case management. The Commission for Case Manager Certification offers a Certified Case Manager designation, which you can earn by passing an exam, having a postsecondary degree in a health or social services field, and being licensed in your field. Also, you can find several certifications targeted at various sub-specialties through the Case Management Society of America.</p>