We are no longer accepting applications for our Fall 2021 cohort. Applications will reopen in Spring 2022 for our Fall 2022 cohort.
Our online certificate program prepares students and professionals to address the socioemotional and mental health needs of young children and their families. Take courses for academic credit or continuing education units.
Our program is founded on a set of core theoretical principles of infant and early childhood development and mental health practice: that all work with children, families, and the individuals who work with them should be relationship-based, culturally sensitive, grounded in an understanding of developmental theory and research, and supported by reflective practice.
As a certificate program student, you'll take a full part-time course load of 3-5 credits per semester. All courses are online.
The admissions process differs depending on whether you're applying to take courses for academic credit or for continuing education units (CEUs).
Students studying for academic credit will earn:
Academic credits appear on a student's transcript. We also offer an M.A. in applied child and adolescent development with a focus on infant and early childhood mental health. Students who take the certificate for academic credit may apply to transfer to the M.A. program.
Students pursuing CEUs will earn:
Clock hours are converted to CEUs per state licensing board guidelines. CEUs do not appear on academic transcripts. CEUs earned in this program cannot be converted to academic credit or applied to advanced degrees at the University of Minnesota.
Our program helps individuals advance their careers in a variety of fields that serve young children and their families. The program is ideal for individuals working in prevention and intervention in group or individual settings, program administration, or policy development.
This program does not train individuals to become licensed clinical professionals. It prepares practitioners to embed infant and early childhood mental health principles in their existing professional roles and practice settings.
Minnesota is one of 31 member states of the global organization, the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health®, that offers the credential for Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health®. Our certificate program meets the theoretical foundations and competencies for the Alliance endorsement process.
Endorsement levels include:
More information on the endorsement process is available through the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health-Infant and Early Childhood Division or through your state’s infant mental health association listed under the Alliance member states. Don't live in Minnesota? Learn if your state is a member of the Alliance.
This program is part-time. If you take the certificate for academic credit, tuition for our program follows the College of Education and Human Development’s post-baccalaureate certificate rate. Students who take all of their courses online qualify for the Minnesota resident tuition rate. If you take the program for CEUs, the cost is $375 per credit.
The Irving B. Harris Foundation promotes infant and early childhood mental health through professional training and education. Limited scholarship funds are available through the Harris Foundation as part of an effort to recruit students from underrepresented populations. To apply for a scholarship, write a brief explanation of why you feel you would qualify and upload as part of your application. This scholarship is only available to Minnesota residents.