The Online Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Family Leadership prepares caregivers of young children as front-line peer support and community health workers. The coursework is designed to strengthen students’ understanding of early childhood mental health and family development through various methods of instruction from experienced instructors and national experts.
Students will gain practical experience by integrating coursework content with hands-on experiences, ranging from individual self-care to service delivery, so they are better prepared to support and empower other caregivers and work equitably in the communities they serve. Students will leave this program with the skills, knowledge, and motivation to effectively promote and support early childhood mental health and family resiliency with their peers as community health workers.
Ideal for: Caregivers of young children
Ideal for
Caregivers of young children
Duration: 9 months
Duration
9 months
Tuition: $6,000
Tuition
$6,000
Format: Online
Format
Online
Schedule: Thursdays
Schedule
Thursdays
Semester of Entry: Fall
Semester of Entry
Fall
Upon successful completion of the certificate, you will be able to:
Identify certificate program requirements and expectations for completion.
Describe the roles of community health workers and peer support.
Articulate a foundational knowledge of infant and early childhood mental health and development.
Discuss developmental milestones from prenatal to age 8.
Explore the broader cultural and community contexts within which early childhood development occurs.
Identify strategies for self-care and coping with stress (e.g., breathing exercises, journaling, walking, mindful eating, mindful driving, etc.).
Conduct motivational interviews and utilize other verbal/non-verbal communication skills.
Identify ways to apply key concepts of racial equity and anti-racist practices in your role as a peer supporter.
Identify different types of trauma.
Identify and understand strategies to engage and assist families in care coordination.
Apply knowledge and skills gained in the course to actual work situations relevant to early childhood mental health and development within relevant settings.
Testimonials from current students and alumni.
This certificate program values the lived experience of families, while also bridging the gap between community needs and the workforce pipeline. Core components of this evolution include flexibility, experiential learning, practical skill-building, and a common language to discuss ways to promote health equity in communities.
Matthew Biel, M.D.
Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Family Leadership
Curriculum & Schedule
During the Fall 2021 semester, professional development and certificate classes will be offered in two formats: Live Online and Online. 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 on which format is best for you, please contact Program Support at pdcprograms@georgetown.edu.
The Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Family Leadership 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 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
Matthew Biel
Matthew Biel, MD, MSc, is Professor, Vice Chair, and Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. Biel has clinical interests ... Read more
Dominique Charlot-Swilley
There is no biography available for Dominique Charlot-Swilley.
How to Apply
Application Dates
Fall Cohort
Application Opens—Jan 1
Deadline—Sep 15
The Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Family Leadership is a cohort-based, competitive program with a 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
Please review the refund policies in our Student Handbook before completing your registration.
Degree Requirement
You must hold a high school/general education diploma with lived experience. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree or higher are also encouraged to apply as the educational space is blended with educators, family engagement specialists, social workers, and infrastructure builders from diverse professional settings.
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 Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Family Leadership has received a grant award from the Perigee Fund for the Fall 2021 term. The application is free and applicants are not obligated to pay tuition by applying to the program. Approved applicants will be contacted to discuss scholarship availability.
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.
