Disability Leadership, Certificate in (Post-baccalaureate graduate certificate)
Willis, Janet
Program Contact
jhorsely@vcu.edu
(804) 828-0073
The Certificate in Disability Leadership is a 12-hour certificate program designed to prepare health professionals, special educators and other professionals in related disciplines in the field of childhood neurodevelopmental disabilities to be leaders in the health care system. The program provides a 12- to 24-month curriculum of didactic and Web-based courses, interactive seminars, clinical and community-based practica, a family mentorship experience, and planned grassroots- and systems-level policy activities.
The certificate is earned by completing the Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities interdisciplinary training program. Va-LEND is a collaboration among the School of Education (Partnership for People with Disabilities), the VCU School of Medicine (Department of Pediatrics) and the Virginia Department of Health (Title V Program). The LEND curriculum emphasizes all aspects of neurodevelopmental and related disabilities, the social environment (including ethnic and cultural issues), the interdisciplinary approach (systems of care), leadership (advocacy and public policy as well as administration) and research. Following completion of the program the trainees will be able to serve as leaders in the field of child health and neurodevelopmental disabilities.
To apply for the Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Disability Leadership, students must:
- Complete the Va-LEND application and submit to Janet Willis by June 1 to begin classes in the fall semester
- Complete the VCU Graduate School application
Required courses (12 credit hours):
IDDS 600 Interdisciplinary Studies in Developmental Disabilities: Teamwork in Serving People with Developmental Disabilities (3)
IDDS 602 Leadership in Developmental Disabilities (2)
IDDS 603 Clinical and Community Service for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (3)
IDDS 672 Practicum in Disability Leadership (4)