Early Intervention
Admission to the Early Intervention program is offered on a rolling basis. Application Deadline: July 10. Click here for the Fall 2013 Application.
The Certificate in Early Intervention is an eight-course hybrid program utilizing distance education in combination with short intensive on-campus instruction. The program provides advanced training in comprehensive, evidenced-based early intervention practices to early intervention/early childhood professionals.
The program focuses on promoting the values, skills, and attitudes needed to develop a system of support and services for infants, toddlers, and young children with disabilities and/or delays in development. The Certificate in Early Intervention promotes a system of care approach to the delivery of services to young children and their families. A comprehensive set of learning activities addressing the principles of evidenced-based, culturally competent, and family-centered early childhood intervention practices is the basis for the certificate program.
Taught by subject matter experts from the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development, the Certificate in Early Intervention provides training to professionals who deliver early intervention and early childhood services to infants, toddlers, and young children. Service providers, policy makers, and program administrators will gain advanced knowledge and skills in the theory, evidence, and policies that guide services to young children with disabilities and their families: comprehensive, evidence-based, family-centered, culturally and linguistically competent, interdisciplinary services that are embedded into naturally occurring activities and routines.
The ability to stay abreast of local, national and global changes in early childhood intervention is increasingly more difficult, and as a result, practitioners are needed who are experts in the field, who can synthesize research meaningfully, and translate policies into strategies that help children participate in their communities. Completion of the certificate in the Certificate in Early Intervention will build the competence and confidence of early childhood professionals to assume leadership within early childhood intervention systems.
The Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development is a designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.
Designed For
- Professionals who provide early intervention/early childhood services including practitioners (Educators, PT, OT, SLP, Psychologists, etc.), policy makers, and administrators
- Executives who create and implement early intervention/early childhood programs
- Advocates for families and young children
- Health care finance officials who develop and implement payment contracts with providers and programs
Program Objectives
At the completion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Assess and promote social, emotional, developmental, and behavioral health of infants, toddlers, and young children in partnership with families in the context of their communities
- Identify developmental, behavioral, and emotional problems and disorders early
- Intervene effectively using evidence-based knowledge and practices
- Develop and manage effective systems of supports and services
This program is designed to:
- Provide students with the knowledge to deliver evidenced based early childhood intervention
- Cultivate professionals who can create and sustain comprehensive, evidence-based, family-centered, culturally and linguistically competent, interdisciplinary service systems
- Develop professionals who can analyze, develop, and implement policies and procedures that are effective, efficient, and equitable for vulnerable children and their families
Program participants are expected to:
- Engage in practical application of theoretical knowledge
- Participate in online discussions
- Complete short written assignments
- Complete a portfolio
- Complete a scholarly capstone project
- Convert capstone project to a formal conference presentation
Throughout the duration of the program, participants should spend 5 - 10 hours a week on assignments outside the classroom.
Program Format
This certificate program consists of eight required courses, a portfolio project, and a capstone project, which are to be completed over a 10-month period. Four courses will be delivered online using a variety of synchronous and asynchronous technology, online discussion groups, webinars, and video conferencing. Students are required to be present at Georgetown University two days at the start of the cohort for orientation as well as two days at the end of the cohort to present a capstone project. Courses cannot be taken independently of the certificate program. Participants are required to successfully complete all courses within a single cohort to receive the Certificate in Early Intervention.
Program Requirements
Successful completion of all eight courses, for a total of 180 contact hours (18.0 CEUs), is required to receive the Certificate in Early Intervention from Georgetown University. All eight courses must be completed within the 10-month time frame.
Prerequisites
- An entry-level degree in an early intervention/early childhood discipline such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, special education, social work, etc. or related field such as early childhood education;
- A bachelors or master’s degree in a related field of study such as psychology, sociology, human development, healthcare, etc.;
- At least one year of professional experience in serving vulnerable children and families.
Tuition
The price of tuition for the Certificate in Early Intervention is $6,000.
Application Requirements
- A completed application form
- An updated resume or CV (No more than two pages)
- 500-word personal statement describing your professional goals and how this program will meet those goals
Application Deadline: July 10
Admission
The faculty selection committee will review completed applications on a rolling basis. Admissions decisions will be made and communicated to the applicant within a six-week time frame following the submission of the complete application. Only complete applications will be reviewed. As this is a cohort program, each applicant will be evaluated as an individual and as part of a well-balanced group of students. Admissions decisions will be communicated via e-mail.
International Students
A TOEFL examination for non-native speakers of English is not required but students are expected to read, write and comprehend English at the graduate level to fully participate in and gain from the program. Student visas are not granted for this program.
More Information
For more information or to speak with a program advisor, please complete the Request More Information Form, send an email to ccpeprograms@georgetown.edu, or call 202.687.5000.
