The Online Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health is a comprehensive program for professionals seeking to deepen their clinical knowledge and experience working with parents and young children. Participants will have the opportunity to review, discuss, and synthesize cutting-edge materials and learn from luminaries in the infant mental health field.
With a combination of monthly live presentations, reflective dialogue, and asynchronous learning, participants will engage in dynamic discussions with thought leaders and peers from around the country. Central to the program is an anti-racist approach when working with families and children. Additionally, the program intentionally integrates diversity, equity, and culture throughout the program. The program provides networking opportunities, leveraging connections that have been built among the faculty with infant and early childhood mental health professionals across the country and in the Washington, D.C., area.
Ideal for: Mental health clinicians and educational professionals
Ideal for
Mental health clinicians and educational professionals
Duration: 9 months
Duration
9 months
Tuition: $6,000
Tuition
$6,000
Format: Online
Format
Online
Schedule: Tuesdays
Schedule
Tuesdays
Semester of Entry: Fall
Semester of Entry
Fall
Upon successful completion of the certificate, you will be able to:
Analyze the history, theory, and critical concepts in infant and early childhood mental health.
Understand child development from birth to five, symptoms that emerge during this time period, and risk factors for atypical development.
Identify assessments and screeners available to use during early childhood; learn the diagnostic categories for 0-5-year-olds and how to apply them through case discussion and real-world experience.
Identify opportunities for prevention of mental and neurodevelopmental disorders and interventions that are used in early childhood to mitigate outcomes with an emphasis on the early effects of trauma.
Recognize areas of need and how to deliver culturally competent care, and gain insight into multiple systems that interact with infants and young children.
Recognize how parent-child interactions and ecological systems shape brain development.
Testimonials from current students and alumni.
This certificate program provides varied opportunities for learners to gain important insights and learn from leaders at Georgetown and their national partners. The program is in the vanguard of bringing together theory with an understanding of community partnerships and family engagement as well as real world practical applications to help young children and their families flourish.
Emily Aron, M.D.
Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health
Beginning in the Fall 2023, the IECMH clinical certificate will be offered using two formats: Live Online (synchronous) and Online (asynchronous). Live Online classes are taught in real-time by Georgetown instructors using Zoom video conferencing. Online classes are taught using Canvas, our learning management system, and can be completed at your own pace. Both formats are designed to provide our professional learners with a high-quality, engaging educational experience. For more information about these learning experiences please contact Program Support at pdcprograms@georgetown.edu.
The Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health is offered in a Flex Learning environment using live Zoom video conferencing to mirror a more traditional classroom with regular interaction, engaging activities, and the dynamic exploration of topics and concepts.
You must successfully complete the required course for a total of 18.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), which is equivalent to 180.0 contact hours. The course must be completed within the 9-month time frame.
What Is Live Online Learning?
Live online instruction is enhanced by incorporating various instructional practices and technology tools. Features such as Zoom video conferencing, breakout rooms, and chat allow for real-time interaction and collaboration among learners. Tools like Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Canvas Groups facilitate teamwork and information sharing within the learning community. Polling, surveys, and threaded discussion boards promote active engagement and the expression of opinions. It is important to foster social respect, privacy, and incorporate Jesuit values to create a supportive and inclusive online environment. By utilizing these practices and tools effectively, live online instruction can be engaging, interactive, and conducive to meaningful learning experiences.
Course Schedule
Faculty
Emily Aron
Emily Aron, MD, is a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist with a particular interest in infant and early childhood mental health. After completing her general residency at the Icahn School ... Read more
How to Apply
Application Dates
Fall Cohort
Application Opens—May 1
Deadline—Sep 15
The Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health is a cohort-based program with a competitive selective admission process. An application is required to enroll in the program. A completed application will include the following documents:
Completed application form
Resume/CV
Statement of Purpose
Program Prerequisites
Education
A minimum of a master's degree in mental health (counseling, social work, psychology, family therapy, etc.) preferred.
Experience
At least two years of supervised clinical experience (during mental health graduate training or post-graduate).
Currently working in the mental health or related field.
Please review the refund policies in our Student Handbook before completing your registration.
Degree Requirement
You must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent in order to enroll in our certificate programs. For each cohort, an application review committee offers admission to a diverse group of students to enrich the classroom experience.
Tips for the Online Application
Our online application securely stores your information and saves your progress so you can update and complete your information at your convenience
Click the “SAVE” button at each stage of the application process to ensure that your work and documents are uploaded
International Students
International students who enter the U.S. on a valid visa are eligible to enroll in certificate courses. However, Georgetown University cannot sponsor student visas for noncredit professional certificate programs.
A TOEFL examination is not required for non-native speakers of English but students are expected to read, write, and comprehend English at the graduate level to fully participate in and gain from the program.
Students from most countries may register for our online certificate programs, however, due to international laws, residents of certain countries are prohibited from registering.
Tuition & Funding
The application is free and applicants are not obligated to pay tuition by applying to the program. There are a limited number of scholarship funds available. If you are interested in applying for scholarship funding please indicate so in your application. Approved applicants will be contacted to discuss scholarship availability and need.
Funding
Noncredit professional certificates do not qualify for federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, or needs-based aid. However, several finance and funding options do exist, as listed below.
Some employers offer funding for employee education or professional development. If an employer guarantees payment for employee education and training, Georgetown will accept an Intent to Pay form. If you are using employer sponsorship or training authorizations, you must submit an Intent to Pay form with your registration.
If your employer will pay for your tuition, select “Third-Party Billing” as your method of payment when you register for courses online. Please submit an Intent to Pay form indicating that your employer or another third party should be billed for tuition. Invoices will not be generated without this form on file.
Eligible Georgetown employees may use their Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) benefits to fund 90% of the certificate program tuition—employees will be invoiced for the remaining 10% of tuition and must pay any other charges associated with their certificate program. Employees using TAP benefits may work directly with the HR Benefits Office to ensure payment prior to the start of any course. This payment option is only valid if registration occurs at least 10–14 business days prior to the start date of the first course. Any fees incurred due to course withdrawal are the student’s responsibility and are not funded by Georgetown University TAP. For questions regarding TAP benefits, please contact the HR/Benefits Office at tapbenefits@georgetown.edu or (202) 687-2500.
SCS is registered with GoArmyEd.com to accept SF-182 training authorization forms. GoArmyEd.com is the virtual gateway for all eligible active duty, National Guard, and Army Reserve soldiers to request Tuition Assistance (TA) online. GoArmyEd.com is also the virtual gateway for Army Civilians to apply for their Civilian education, training, and leadership development events.
The professional certificate programs offer an interest-free payment plan for certificate programs that are more than one month in duration and for which the total tuition is greater than or equal to $4,000. The payment plan is structured in the following manner:
Payment #1: A down payment of 25% of the total tuition balance must be paid online (within 72 hours after you register and select Payment Plan) via the Noncredit Student Portal. Please submit your down payment as soon as possible.
Payments #2, #3, and #4: Your remaining balance will be due in three (3) equal monthly installments beginning 30 calendar days after your down payment is processed. Your monthly payments must be paid via credit card in the Noncredit Student Portal. You will be able to access each invoice and payment due date in your student account.
PLEASE NOTE: Automatic Payment Service is not available. You must make each subsequent payment via the Noncredit Student Portal.
A number of tuition benefits are available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and under various parts of the GI Bill®. Please visit the Resources for Military Students page for additional information and instructions.
Some students choose to finance certificate programs with private education loans. Students are responsible for contacting lenders directly to find out if a noncredit professional certificate program is eligible for a loan. While Georgetown University will not recommend specific lenders, it will certify loans for eligible programs from approved lenders.
For eligible noncredit professional certificate programs, Georgetown University will certify loan amounts up to the full cost of tuition for the program. Tuition does not cover books, travel, or living expenses. Please see individual program pages for tuition rates.
Georgetown University has a unique campus code for Sallie Mae. Our Sallie Mae branch code is 001445-99.
You must be approved for a loan before registering for courses. Follow these steps to pursue a loan option:
Check the list of lenders that have offered private education loans in the past to Georgetown University students.
Contact the lender and confirm your program is eligible for a private education loan.
Obtain the necessary paperwork and apply for the loan.
Georgetown will certify loan amounts based on the information below. Please note that our branch code is 001445-99.
If approved, register for courses:
Payment sent to Georgetown: Select “Third-Party Payment” at the time of registration if the lender is sending funds directly to Georgetown.
Note: It is your responsibility to contact Georgetown University Noncredit Student Accounts at noncreditaccounts@georgetown.edu to ensure that your loan is processed.
