Certificate Programs in Human Development and Family Studies

NEW GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS IN

THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT & FAMILY STUDIES

* At this time we are not admitting students to the HDFS Certificate Programs.  

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Delaware is offering four new post baccalaureate certificates for professionals working with children and their families. Each certificate requires the completion of five 3-credit graduate courses. It is anticipated that one course will be offered each semester for each certificate. All courses will meet in evenings, weekends, summers and/or online. To earn the Graduate Certificate, participants must receive a minimum grade of B- in all courses.

Requirements for Admission

Applicants to this Graduate Certificate Program must have successfully completed  a BA or BS degree in a field related to the applicant's area of interest.  In addition, applicants must provide a statement of interest, career objectives and prior related experience.  College transcripts will be evaluated for indicators of future academic success and written statements assessed for compatibility of interests and goals with program goals.  Students can apply for admission into the MS program upon completion of 6-9 credits in the Graduate Certificate Program.  All 15 credits in the Graduate Certificate program can then be applied to the MS degree if a grade of B or above was received. Review of applications and admission are conducted on a rolling basis by the HDFS Graduate committee.

Those wishing to complete more than one Graduate Certificate Program must apply to each separately.  If admitted to a second or third Graduate Certificate Program, course requirements for each will be modified so that students will complete 15 discrete credit hours for each Graduate Certificate Program with no overlapping courses.

What are the 4 Certificate programs?

The Early Language and Literacy Certificate is designed for early childhood teachers, center directors or other specialists desiring expertise in early language and literacy education for children from birth through second grade. All coursework emphasizes early literacy within the context of schools and programs serving families from diverse socioeconomic and language backgrounds. This certificate will prepare you to develop authoritative knowledge and skills in:

• designing literacy-rich learning environments and in ways to develop and implement developmentally appropriate activities,
• using interactions and relationships to foster strong literacy skills in early childhood settings (birth through 2nd grade),
• providing supervision skills to evaluate and monitor literacy instruction and outcomes,
• facilitating family literacy to maximize language and literacy development.

Early Language and Literacy Certificate course requirements.

The Leadership in Early Childhood & Human Services Certificate is designed for professionals working in programs serving young children, youth and families, including teachers, after school professionals, program administrators, supervisors and professional development providers. Program participants will build skills and knowledge in the areas of adult development and learning, reflective and developmental supervision, staff development, administration, curriculum, assessment, partnerships with families, and advocacy for children, families and the profession. This sequence of courses emphasizes developmentally and culturally responsive, inclusive, and evidence-based practices in work with early childhood, youth, and families. This certificate will prepare professionals to take leadership roles in:

• designing and evaluating curriculum,
• training and supervising staff,
• building partnerships with families,
• improving and maintaining quality programming for children.

Leadership in Early Childhood and Human Services Certificate course requirements.

The Parent Education and Family Support Certificate enables individuals to attain and supplement their knowledge of parenting and family issues through a flexible instructional program. This program is designed for practitioners working in a wide variety of settings including preschools, day care centers, after school programs, hospitals, home visiting programs, child life and community programs, as well as public welfare and family service agencies that serve children from infancy through adolescence. The program is also appropriate for those who wish to obtain additional training and practice in designing, facilitating, and evaluating educational and community based programs, who engage in prevention work with children and their families, and who want to enhance their interpersonal relations and family support skills. This certificate will prepare you to improve your knowledge and skills in:

• Family development at each stage of the individual and family life cycle,
• Parenting and parent-child assessment and interventions,
• Parenting and family multicultural issues,
• Biological, social and behavior development throughout childhood and early adolescence,
• Effects of parenthood and intergenerational relationships on family life,
• Prevention of child, parent, and family risk factors,
• Development of interpersonal and family support skills.

Parent Education and Family Support Certificate course requirements.

The Disability Leadership Certificate prepares organization leaders in the nonprofit and government sectors to transform and lead organizations providing services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  This certificate containes both distance learning and on-campus components.  This certificate will prepare individuals by:

• building off the experiences and expertise of the participating members
• filling a critical need in our society with respect to training individuals to become leaders in the field of disability services.
• engaging questions of ethics \
• recognizing responsibility  to self, community and society at large,
• understanding diverse was of thinking, a critical aspect of disability issues.

Disability Leadership Certificate course requirements

Who can enroll?

Any of the courses in the Graduate Certificate Programs may be taken by anyone with a BA or BS degree.

If you are already a UD Student you can register for courses at: www.udel.edu/registrar/onlinereg/

If you are not currently a UD Student, contact the Professional and Continuing Studies Office, ACCESS Center Academic Advisor, 302-831-2741 to request a phone or in-person appointment or email access-advise@udel.edu for assistance with registration and information.

In order to be awarded a Graduate Certificate, individuals must be admitted to the Graduate Certificate Program and successfully complete all 15 credit hours of required courses. 

To apply to the Graduate Certificate Program, prospective participants should complete the UD Graduate and Professional Education Application and select the appropriate certificate.  Certificate programs fall under the Non-Degree Admission category.

Applicants to the Graduate Certificate Programs must:

• have successfully completed  a BA or BS degree in a field related to the applicant's area of interest, 
• submit official college transcripts,
• provide a resume,
• provide a statement of interest, career objectives and prior related experience, and
• 3 letters of recommendation by individuals who can attest to the candidate's ability to succeed in graduate level work.

GRE test scores, writing samples and supplemental documents are not required as part of the HDFS Graduate Certificate Programs application. 

Those wishing to complete more than one Graduate Certificate Program must apply to each separately.  If admitted to a second or third Graduate Certificate Program, course requirements for each will be modified so that students will complete 15 discrete credit hours for each Graduate Certificate Program with no overlapping courses.

Graduate Tuition Scholarships are available through the College of Education and Human Development.  Additional tuition scholarships are available through the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. 

Can you go on to receive an MS degree?

Participants in the Graduate Certificate program can apply for admission into the MS program upon completion of 6-9 credits in the Graduate Certificate program.  Upon admission into the MS program, 9 credits (and additional Certificate courses) will then count toward the MS degree.  The MS in HDFS has concentrations in Early Childhood Education, Leadership in Nonprofit Administration, and Family Support.  Scholarships are available for the MS graduate programs in HDFS.  Information on the MS programs and how to apply can be found at:  www.hdfs.udel.edu/content/human-development-and-family-studies-graduate-programs

Would you like to know more about the Graduate Certificate Programs?

For further information or questions, please contact:

Certificate Programs
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
College of Education and Human Development
111 Alison Hall West
Newark, DE  19716
Fax:  302-831-6500