Graduate Certificate in Leadership in Children's Health and Disability

About the Program

The College of Health and Human Services, Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and the Maternal and Child Leaderhip Education and Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (MCH-LEND) training program at the Institute on Disability are co-sponsoring a graduate certificate program titled "Leadership in Children's Health and Disability." The needs of children with special health care concerns and disabilities extend byond 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 15-credit-hour interdisciplinary program is designed to focus on the development of leadership skills for individuals currently with children with special health care needs and disabilities and for those currently enrolled in graduate degree programs at UNH who are also interested in this field of practice.

Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate program will benefit for 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 MCH-LEND program. The MCH-LEND program focuses on developing educational excellence related to: a) the most current knowledge regarding neurodevelopmental disabilities, b) the process of interdisciplinary collaboration and partnership, and c) strategies for continuous improvement of effective leadership. Students in the Leadership in Children's Health and Disability 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 helath management and policy, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, pediatrics, physical therapy, psychology, social work, speech language pathology, and special education.

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Who Should Apply

  • Individuals interested in improving the quality of life for children with special health care needs and disabilities and their families
  • 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

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Requirements

The program of study consists of required courses (9 credit hours), an elective (3 credit hours), and an independent study (3 credit hours). These courses include:

  • One of two introductory courses in developmental disabilities, EDUC 850 - Introduction to Exceptionality or SW 812 - Social Work and Developmental Disabilities (3 credits)
  • The two semester sequence of the MCH Interdisciplinary Leadership Seminar: Topics in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (6 credits)
  • An approved elective form any department in the university with a focus on children, special health care needs, and disabilities (3 credits)
  • An independent study that focuses on a leadership activity to support children with special health care needs, disabilities, and families. 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 non-resident students will be 10% above the resident rate.

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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 currenly enrolled graduate students). Applications are available by contacting the Program Coordinator. Applications will be accepted anytime and admissions decisions made promptly. For more information about the program and the application process, contact:

Rae Sonnenmeier, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Project Director
UNH Communication Sciences & Disorders Dept. and Institute on Disability
55 College Road, 103 Pettee Hall
Durham, NH 03824
603.862.1860
Rae.Sonnenmeier@unh.edu

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Links & Additional Resources

The New Hampshire Maternal and Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (MCH-LEND) Program

UNH College of Health and Human Services

UNH Graduate School

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