Certificate Programs in Human Development and Family Studies

NEW GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS IN

THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT & FAMILY STUDIES

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Delaware is offering three new post baccalaureate certificates for professionals working with children and their families. Each certificate requires the completion of five 3-credit graduate courses. Admission to the Graduate Certificate programs requires a BA or BS degree. 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.

                                                                   Graduate Certificate Course Offerings Winter and Spring 2010

What are the 3 Certificate programs?

The Early Literacy Specialist 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.

The Leadership and Supervision 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.

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.

Course requirements for all of the Graduate Certificate programs can be found below.

*  Please discuss choice of class with Coordinator of Certificate Programs prior to registration.

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: http://www.udel.edu/registrar/onlinereg/

If you are not currenly a UD Student you can register as a Continuing Education Students through the Professional and Continuing Studies Office:  http://www.pcs.udel.edu/

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.  Admission into the Graduate Certificate Program can occur after enrolling in graduate courses.

To apply to the Graduate Certificate Program, prospective participants should complete the Graduate Certificate Program Application form.  Submit the completed form, statement of interest and college transcripts to:

Dr. Cynthia Paris
Coordinator of Certificate Programs
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
College of Education & Public Policy
115 Alison Hall West
Newark, DE  19716
email: cparis@udel.edu
fax: 302-831-8776

Scholarships are available. 

Application for HDFS Graduate Certification Programs

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 Certicate 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 Dr. Cynthia Paris (cparis@udel.edu) or 302-831-8557.