Early Childhood Mental Health, Graduate Certificate
Program Overview
The UNC Charlotte Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) is a specialized educational pathway designed for professionals aiming to enhance their expertise in supporting the mental health of young children and their families. This program is ideally suited for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in relevant fields who are passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of young children.
Unique Collaboration for Comprehensive Learning
The ECMH Certificate Program is a joint effort between the School of Social Work and the Department of Special Education and Child Development. This collaboration ensures a broad and deep understanding of early childhood mental health, focusing on children from birth to five years of age and their families.
Program Contact
- Ashley Gibson
- Enrollment Team
- online@charlotte.edu
- 704-687-5235
- Schedule appointment
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Apply NowLearning Outcomes
Graduates of the UNC Charlotte ECMH Certificate Program will gain a robust set of skills, enabling them to:
- Enhance awareness of early childhood mental health significance.
- Engage with diverse families to support young children’s mental health.
- Identify and utilize evidence-informed services for families.
- Conduct ecologically valid assessments for young children.
- Understand the relationship between social, cognitive, and communication development.
- Promote positive communication between young children and their caregivers.
- Foster social-communication skills in a variety of settings.
Program Flexibility and Duration
Understanding the demands on working professionals, the ECMH Certificate Program offers:
- 100% Online Curriculum: Access your coursework anywhere, anytime.
- Flexible Scheduling: Designed to accommodate the busy schedules of working individuals.
- Completion Timeline: Achieve your certificate in as little as 2 semesters when enrolled part-time.
Courses
Courses can be taken in any order and not all courses are offered in every semester. Students typically complete this certificate in 2 – 3 semesters.
Four (4) required courses:
- SOWK 6171: Early Childhood Mental Health (3 credits)
- CHFD 6240: Advanced Studies in Infant and Child Development (3 credits)
- SPED 6350: Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families: Interdisciplinary Collaboration (3 credits)
- SPED 6242: Enhancing Communication and Supporting Behaviors in Inclusive Settings: B-K (3 credits)
Admissions
Admissions & Requirements:
- Complete the Graduate School Admissions Application
- A bachelor’s degree, preferably in a human services field from a university accredited by a US Department of Education-recognized institutional accreditor
- Transcripts from all academic coursework beyond high school
- All previous work beyond high school documenting an overall grade point average of at least 2.75 (based on a 4.0 scale)
- Resume
- Three recommendations
- 2-4 page (double-spaces) statement of purpose
- Early childhood intervention experience is helpful, but not required
The statement of purpose should address the following:
- What first interested you about the certificate program?
- How do you think the certificate can help you in your career?
- Discuss your previous experience, if you have any, with diverse children and families (meaning people who are from different backgrounds than your own). What was your biggest challenge and what did you learn from the experience?
- What strengths and skills do you bring to the certificate program?
Application
Application Deadlines:
- Fall semester:
- Priority Application: March 1st
- Final Application: August 1st
- Spring semester:
- Priority Application: October 1st
- Final Application: December 1st
Tuition
Please note: Rates are subject to change.
Resident:
- $288.82 per credit hour
Outside of NC Non-Resident:
- $536.98 per credit hour
Non Resident:
- $1,098.21 per credit hour