The Graduate Certificate in Children's Mental Health prepares graduate students and post graduates to practice children's mental health using principles and methods from interprofessional sources to assist in the mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment of children and their families. The certificate will strengthen competencies for work in social work, psychology, and other jobs that specialize in infant, early childhood, and/or adolescent children's mental health. The program builds on the knowledge and skills acquired through current or previous master's level study in these or related fields.
This graduate certificate is designed to supplement each student's existing experience and academic preparation through the way each candidate achieves the program outcomes. Therefore, few specific required courses are listed in the graduation requirements, since individual graduate studies plans may vary based on the specific interprofessional focus of each candidate. The faculty advisors will follow the program's academic preparation requirements to guide coursework selections. Students develop advanced knowledge and competencies for working with infant, early childhood, and/or adolescent children's mental health issues as well as interprofessional skills for working in Alaska's systems of care.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Children's Mental Health must:
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Graduate Certificates.
- Complete the Children’s Mental Health Graduate Certificate Application, which can be found on the program website.
- Have graduated from or currently be students in an accredited or approved graduate program of social work, psychology, special education, or a related field.
- Have completed a course in child development.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Graduate Certificates.
- Complete the following program requirements with a minimum grade of B:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY/SWK A620 | Advanced Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health | 3 |
| or PSY A638 | Child Clinical Psychology | |
| PSY/EDSE/SWK A691 | Children's Mental Health Systems of Care | 3 |
| Complete 3 credits of advisor-approved graduate-level coursework in each of the following areas: | 6 | |
Family systems and family-centered practice | ||
Specialty content coursework in children's behavior health | ||
| Total | 12 | |
A minimum of 12 credits is required for the certificate.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
The program is designed to expand specific skills and clinical experiences in children’s mental health and allow students to expand their expertise through an interprofessional understanding of children’s mental health practices. Specific infant/early childhood mental health (IECMH) competencies are also integrated into course content to address the workforce development needs. Outcomes for the program are based on state and national competency guidelines for children’s mental health as well as the Alaska Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health competencies. Students who complete this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate application of legal and ethical parameters across disciplines.
- Foster collaborative relationships with families using relationship-based, family-centered practices.
- Identify and implement culturally-responsive methods of screening and assessment in infant/early childhood and/or children’s mental health.
- Apply theoretical knowledge to choose and implement evidence-based, culturally-responsive interventions and methods of evaluation in infant/early childhood and/or children’s mental health.
- Describe systems of care and interprofessional practice related to children's mental health.
- Engage in reflective practice within one's own discipline.