Advanced Certificate in Early Intervention and Parenting

The Advanced Certificate in Early Intervention and Parenting program (18-credits) is clinically rich, with an emphasis on relationship-based and evidence-based, family-centered practices, the parent-infant dyad and infant mental health, typical and atypical development, and a trans-disciplinary approach to working in partnership with culturally diverse families with infants and toddlers with disabilities (or at-risk for developmental delays). This program is open to both master's students and post-master's professionals including early childhood educators, early childhood special instructors, mental health professionals, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists currently working in Early Intervention (EI) and in other early childhood and family settings. For graduate students across disciplines, this unique program aims to support the next generation of EI professionals to develop expertise in early childhood development and effective family-centered, best practices. For early childhood professionals, already competent and working in the field, to integrate their professional knowledge and skills with family-centered, best practices that will enhance the parent-child relationship, support children's development, and help prevent long-term developmental delays. By completing this Advance Certificate program, both students and skilled professionals will learn about integrating multiple perspectives by understanding children's functioning and development across domains as well as working with caregivers and their children within the context of the families' concerns, priorities, and culture.

Entrance requirements for acceptance include an earned baccalaureate degree with a grade point average of at least 3.0 in the undergraduate major, and a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in early childhood special education, occupational therapy or related field. Applicants must present coursework or equivalent work experience in knowledge of child development and foundations in special education. Additional courses may be required prior to admission to remedy any deficiency in a prospective student's ability to meet matriculation requirements.

TOEFL (paper, computer, internet): 550, 213, 79