Early Intervention - Graduate Certificate

Early Intervention - Graduate Certificate

The Early Intervention graduate certificate is primarily intended for individuals interested in working with young children ages 0-3 who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities and their families across a variety of settings. The certificate provides skills and competencies specific to contemporary and recommended practices in early intervention that are empirically based, contemporary philosophical orientations about young children and families, supporting families and caregivers to enhance children's growth and development, federal early intervention legislation, teaming with professionals and family members, ethical conduct in all professional activities, advocacy and inclusive practices.

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Graduate Certificate in Early Intervention

The Early Intervention (EI) Graduate Certificate in the Special Education Program at ��Թ� prepares students to become highly qualified Developmental Specialists (DS) who support infants and toddlers (birth to age three) with developmental delays and disabilities—and their families. This area of practice is defined under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Graduates are credentialed to work in Ohio’s statewide Early Intervention system, providing family-centered, evidence-based services in homes and community settings. Completion of the EI minor qualifies graduates for the five-year Developmental Specialist (DS) credential through the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (ODCY).

Since 2013, ��Թ� has received continuous funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to support the preparation of highly skilled professionals serving infants, toddlers, and their families. Through these initiatives, over 100 professionals from special education and speech-language pathology have been prepared as Developmental Specialists, strengthening Ohio’s Early Intervention system.

Hear what our students have to say about the Early Intervention Graduate Certificate!

Program Information for Early Intervention - Graduate Certificate

Program Description

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at ��Թ� State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Admissions for Early Intervention - Graduate Certificate

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
Official transcript(s)
Goal statement
Two letters of recommendation
Questions in Anticipation of Licensure form
English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
- Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 58 PTE score
- Minimum 110 DET score

¹: International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester
- Rolling admissions
Spring Semester
- Rolling admissions
Summer Term
- Rolling admissions

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements
Graduation Requirements

Program Requirements

Certificate Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Certificate Requirements
SPED 62951	EARLY INTERVENTION IN NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS	3
SPED 63892	EARLY INTERVENTION INTERNSHIP	3
SPED 63952	FAMILY AND PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD	3
SPED 63954	PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: TEAMING	3
SPED 63955	TYPICAL AND ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT IN YOUNG CHILDREN	3
SPED 63956	FOUNDATIONS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES	3
SPED 63957	ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES	3
SPED 64951	DEVELOPING AN INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN AND INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM	3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		24

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements Summary - Certificates
Minimum Certificate GPA	Minimum Overall GPA
3.000	3.000

Program Delivery

Delivery:
- In person
Location:
- ��Թ� Campus

Program Overview

��Թ� State’s Early Intervention program emphasizes evidence-based practices in natural environments, interdisciplinary collaboration, assessment, Routines-Based Intervention (RBI), Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs), and coaching that promote children’s participation in everyday routines and activities. Coursework and field experiences align with the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices and the ODCY competencies for Developmental Specialists.

Students gain knowledge and hands-on experience in:

Child development and early learning across developmental domains
Family-centered practices and family empowerment
Routines-Based Interviews (RBI) and embedded intervention practices
Assessment, eligibility determination, IFSP development, and progress monitoring
Coaching and teaming with families and interdisciplinary professionals
Collaboration across disciplines such as speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, and early intervention

Program Highlights

Family-centered and strengths-based approach
Coursework aligned with DEC Recommended Practices, Routines-Based Intervention, and ODCY competencies
Automatic eligibility for the 5-year DS credential upon completion
Credentialing supported through OCCRRA / OPR in alignment with OAC 5180-10-05
Collaborative, interdisciplinary learning alongside speech-language pathology students
Faculty mentors with active OSEP-funded research and field partnerships
Strong relationships with county Early Intervention agencies across Ohio

Why ��Թ� State?

��Թ� is a state and nationally recognized leader in Early Intervention personnel preparation. For more than a decade, ��Թ� State has demonstrated excellence in preparing Developmental Specialists through strong partnerships with state agencies, Early Intervention providers, and university faculty.

The program’s evidence-based coursework, high-quality field experiences, and commitment to family-centered practice ensure graduates are well-prepared to make an immediate impact.

Through sustained OSEP funding, ��Թ� State has built a legacy of collaboration—preparing over 100 professionals from special education and speech-language pathology who now work as credentialed Developmental Specialists throughout Ohio.

Automatic Developmental Specialist Credential

Students completing ��Թ� State’s Early Intervention Minor or Early Intervention Graduate Certificate automatically qualify for the five-year Developmental Specialist (DS) credential through the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (ODCY) and OCCRRA upon graduation.

The DS credential authorizes professionals to deliver specialized services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities as part of Ohio’s statewide Early Intervention system. The County Boards of Developmental Disabilities are the largest employers of DS professionals across the state.

Credentialing Process

Developmental Specialist credentials are issued through the Ohio Professional Registry (OPR), administered by the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA) under contract with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (ODCY).

��Թ� State’s EI curriculum aligns with the education and training standards specified in Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 5180-10-05, which define DS eligibility requirements.

As of March 3, 2025, ODCY assumed full oversight of the Developmental Specialist credentialing process via OCCRRA. Applicants submit documentation, transcripts, and verification of field experience through the Ohio Early Intervention Credentialing Portal.

For state guidance, forms, and resources, including user guides, attestation forms, certification flow charts, and continuing professional development information, visit the

Full Scholarships Available

Apply for federal grant funding today! The Early Childhood Special Education program at ��Թ� has been identified as a high-need area and has received federal funds to prepare individuals at the graduate level to work with families of infants and toddlers with disabilities in Early Intervention. This grant is called "Natural Environments by Teaming 2.0 (Project NExT 2.0." Full scholarships are available for this full-time, transdisciplinary certificate!

Did you know? This program is not just for students with an undergraduate degree in Special Education. Students with a degree in Speech Language Pathology, Human Development and Family Science, Teacher Licensure and other related fields are encouraged to apply for this program if interested.

Learn more about federal grant funding for the EI Certificate

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Early Intervention program are prepared to serve in a variety of professional roles, including:

Developmental Specialist or Speech-Language Pathologist in county or regional Early Intervention programs
Early Interventionist or Service Coordinator Position
Home Visiting Professional supporting families and caregivers
Consultant or collaborator within preschool and community settings serving children with developmental differences

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