Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Graduate Certificate)

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Graduate Certificate)

NH-ME LEND Cohort

Why get a graduate certificate in intellectual and developmental disabilities?

This interdisciplinary program promotes a collaborative, holistic approach to providing services for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You’ll develop the professional skills you need to advocate for and practice with children and families, exploring topics such as public policy, evidence-based care, family and community resources, mental health,and autism spectrum disorders. A graduate certificate in intellectual and developmental disabilities is a great way to prepare for a career move into a leadership role, or to take a step toward completing a master’s degree.

Why get your graduate certificate in intellectual and developmental disabilities at UNH?

This 12-credit-hour program will allow you to take graduate-level courses at a leading public university while also giving you the option to apply credit toward a graduate degree. You’ll work with a diverse range of faculty with expertise in fields including communication sciences and disorders, education, human development and family services, occupational therapy and social work. Additionally, you’ll be able to work with staff and faculty associated with the Institute on Disability, which has a collaborative relationship with the New Hampshire Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (NH-LEND) training program. You will also benefit from training opportunities in many community-based clinical settings throughout New Hampshire.

Potential careers

  • Advocate
  • Developmental pediatric specialist
  • Family social worker
  • Health policy consultant
  • Researcher
  • Teacher

Contact

Trish Cox

Pronouns: She/her/hers
MSW Director, Assistant Clinical Faculty
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CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Phone: (603) 862-1853
Office: Social Work, Pettee Hall, Durham, NH 03824
Department of Social Work
Pettee Hall, 55 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-1799
Email: unh.socialwork@unh.edu

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Contact Information

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Application Requirements & Deadlines

Curriculum & Requirements

About the Program

The College of Health and Human Services, Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and the New Hampshire Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (NH-LEND) training program at the Institute on Disability co­sponsor the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Graduate Certificate program. The needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities extend beyond the boundaries of any one discipline. Therefore, this program emphasizes an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to providing holistic, family-centered services to children and families. This 12­ credit­ hour interdisciplinary program is designed to focus on the development of advocacy and practice skills for professional work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Students enrolled in the graduate certificate program will benefit from collaboration and interaction with faculty and students from many departments within the university. Additionally, students will benefit from working with staff and faculty associated with the Institute on Disability. A unique feature of this program is its collaborative relationship with the NH-LEND program. The NH-LEND program focuses on developing educational excellence related to:

  1. the most current knowledge regarding neurodevelopmental disabilities,
  2. the process of interdisciplinary collaboration and partnership, and
  3. strategies for continuous improvement of effective leadership.

Students in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities program will participate in a two semester Special Topics Seminar series on Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities with MCH-LEND trainees and faculty representing the disciplines of health management and policy, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, pediatrics, physical therapy, psychology, social work, speech language pathology, and special education.

Who Should Apply

  • Individuals interested in improving the quality of life for children with special health care needs and disabilities and their families
  • Individuals enrolled in the New Hampshire-Leadership in Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (N-­LEND) training program
  • Individuals interested in developing leadership skills to work with children with special health care needs and disabilities, and families
  • Individuals interested in taking graduate-level courses at a leading university, with the option of applying credit toward a graduate degree in their respective disciplines
  • Individuals interested in working with a dynamic interdisciplinary group of faculty and students
  • Individuals interested in advancing their careers
  • Individuals interested in developing new career options

Contact Information

Individuals holding a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution are eligible to apply. Applicants much submit:

  1. an application form,
  2. official transcripts, and
  3. a $25 processing fee (this fee is waived for graduate students who are currently enrolled ).

Applications are available by contacting the program coordinator. Applications will be accepted anytime, and admissions decisions are made promptly. For more information about the program and the application process, contact:

Patrick Shannon, Associate Professor Project Coordinator
Department of Social Work and NH­-LEND Program University of New Hampshire
55 College Road, 311 Pettee Hall
Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862­5016
Patrick.shannon@unh.edu

Certificate Requirements

There are two separate tracks for this program. Track 1 is for students enrolled in the New Hampshire-Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NH-LEND) training program. Track 2 is for all other students. The program of study consists of two required courses (6 credit hours), and two (2) electives (6 credit hours) or one (1) elective and one (1) three(3)­credit hour independent study. Below is a detailed description of each track.

Track 1 (NH-LEND Trainees)

Required courses
HHS 898Special Topics (LEND Seminar – Fall Semester)3
HHS 898Special Topics (LEND Seminar – Spring Semester)3
Electives
Select one of the following options:6-8
Two electives 1
One elective and one three-credit hour independent study (SW 992) 2
Total Credits12-14

An independent study can focus on leadership, policy, practice, or research that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For example, students could conduct a policy analysis, research, program evaluation, advocacy, training, or other systems change related activity (3 credits).

Track 2 (All Other Students)

Required Courses
Select two of the following:6-7
SW 812
Understanding Developmental Disabilities (Spring)
EDUC 850
Introduction to Exceptionality (Fall)
COMM 842
Autism Spectrum Disorders
SW 897
Special Topics in Social Work and Social Welfare (Mental Health Aspects of IDD)
Electives
Select one of the following options:6-8
Two electives 1
or
One elective and one three ­credit hour independent study (SW 992) 2
Total Credits12-15

An independent study can focus on leadership, policy, practice, or research that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For example, students could conduct a policy analysis, research, program evaluation, advocacy, training, or other systems change related activity (3 credits).

All coursework for the certificate must be completed within three years. Students who successfully complete the program will receive an official student certificate from the University of New Hampshire Graduate School.

Courses completed during the certificate program may be applied toward degree requirements upon the approval of the appropriate graduate program coordinator and the Graduate School. Tuition is equal to the rates for resident graduate degree students. Tuition for non­resident students will be 10 percent above the resident rate.

Deadline

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

  • Fall: July 1
  • Spring: Dec. 1
  • Summer: April 1
  • Special: N/A

Application fee: $25

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: No

Accelerated Masters Eligible: No

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester and UNH Non-Degree work. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must request one official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. International transcripts must be translated into English. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

  • Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
  • Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts are required for any school you earned a degree from, attended for at least one year, or attended for 2 or more semesters. Exceptions to this rule may be approved at the discretion of the program you are applying to and the UNH Graduate School Admission’s office.

Letters of Recommendation: 2 Required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

  1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
  2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program specific application questions.

International Applicants

The University of New Hampshire recommends that international applicants who are living outside of the United States, and are planning on pursuing a research based degree, submit a preapplication form before submitting a full application. Your preapplication request will be carefully reviewed and a decision usually provided within 3 weeks. If your preapplication is approved then it is recommended you then submit a full application. If you are currently living in the United States (on a H1B visa, etc.), or you plan on pursuing a professional master’s degree, then you do not need to submit a preapplication.

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.

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