The Certificate in Interprofessional Teaming is designed to prepare and guide professionals to engage in collaborative best practices in service to individuals with special needs and their families. Graduate students already enrolled in professional programs in the following six disciplines will be able to earn this certificate to augment their preparation to engage in collaborative best practices in services to young children with special needs and their families:

• Early Childhood Education,

• Occupational Therapy,

• Physical Therapy,

• School Psychology,

• Special Education,

• Speech Language Pathology

Students will demonstrate competencies through individualized programs of study, that will entail documenting 38 competencies in the areas of collaboration, advocacy, diversity and cultural competence, evidence-based practice, professional and ethical standards, technology, human development, assessment and evaluation, and service provision. 

The Certificate is a 8-semester hour program. The certificate is awarded simultaneously with the professional degree. Coursework can be completed through a combination of on-campus and online courses and includes a practicum experience. 

Admission to the Certificate in Interprofessional Teaming

Student must be currently enrolled in a professional program in one of these areas: early childhood education, occupational therapy, physical therapy, school psychology, special education, or speech language pathology. In addition, admission to the certificate program requires the following: 

• Completion of the first semester in one’s program of study with a minimum 3.5 GPA and otherwise in good standing, as verified by program director and/or academic advisor

• A statement of purpose outlining one’s desire to complete the certificate

• A grades of B or higher in all certificate courses

To Apply to the Program

• Step One: Enroll Team Models and Community Networking (SPED 5270/7270)

• Step Two: During the course, submit your application and statement of purpose to the College of Graduate Studies

Requirements for the Certificate in Interprofessional Teaming in Early Childhood

For the Certificate, students must complete the following program requirements: 

• A minimum of 8 semester hours of approved graduate course work

• A grades of B or higher in all certificate courses

• Completion of SPED 5270 or SPED 7270

• Completion of three seminars in teaming

• A practicum in teaming

In addition to the core courses required by the certificate, additional courses from the student’s professional program will be identified by the advisor. The certificate must be awarded simultaneously with the professional degree.

All coursework and requirements of the certificate must be taken within a four-year period immediately preceding the date the degree is awarded.

Plan of Study

A plan of study identifying the courses for the certificate is required after 6 credit hours. The certificate plan of study must include the following within the 8 semester hour minimum: 

• 3 credits of core in teaming

• 3 credits of seminar in teaming

• 2 credits of practicum in teaming 

Guide for Developing a Plan of Study

Below is a guide for developing a Plan of Study for the Certificate in Interprofessional Teaming in Early Childhood. Students should work with their faculty advisor to identify specific courses to fulfill program requirements.