Early Intervention Developmental Specialist Certificate:
An Early Intervention Developmental Specialist is a professional who is trained to work with individuals with disabilities by implementing strategies, curricula, and interventions, in addition to working with families to support child skill development. This Early Intervention (EI) certificate is for individuals who are interested in working with young children.
Two different Certificates can be obtained:
- Case Western Reserve University
- The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
University Certificate: Students must apply for the university certificate upon completion of the program requirements listed below. The required 16 credits occur in a standard sequence over a 15-month period.
Fall
PSCL 425*: Methods of Assessment (3 credits)
PSCL 434: Early Interventions: Theory and Practice (3 credits)
PSCL 432A or COSI 452: Introduction to Inter-Professional Collaboration (1 credit)
Spring
PSCL 432B or COSI 452: Introduction to Inter-Professional Collaboration (1 credit)
PSCL 436*: Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
Summer
COSI 431: EIRSTP Summer Practicum: Medical Aspects of Developmental Disabilities (2 credits)
PSCL 433: Child Psychology: Infant and Toddler Development (2 credits)
COSI 600: Medical Aspects of Disabilities Seminar (2 credits)
PSCL 435: Early Intervention II: Theory & Practice (2 credits)
*Only one of these two courses (PSCL425 or PSCL436) is required for the university certificate.
Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Certificate: Students must apply separately to receive the Ohio certificate. More information can be found here.
In line with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, the Early Intervention certificate provides training and skills in areas that are specific to different categories that are integral for early intervention training. See below the list of categories and sample approved courses:
| Ohio DoDD Approved Course | Category |
| PSCL 433: Child Psychology: Infant and Toddler Development (2 credits) | Infant/Toddler growth and development |
| COSI 600: Medical Aspects of Disabilities Seminar (2 credits) | Disabilities and risk factors from birth |
| PSCL 434: Early Interventions: Theory and Practice (3 credits)* OR PSCL 435: Early Intervention II: Theory and Practice (2 credits)* | Family-centered services and supports |
| PSCL 425: Methods of Assessment (3 credits) | Evaluation and Assessment |
| PSCL 432A&B: Introduction to Inter-Professional Collaboration (2 credits) | Team collaboration |
| COSI 431: EIRSTP Summer Practicum: Medical Aspects of Developmental Disabilities (2 credits) | Individual Family Service Plan Development, Intervention Planning, and Service Delivery |
*Only one of these two courses (PSCL434 or PSCL435) is required for the state certificate.
In addition, Developmental Specialists must complete 10 orientation modules. For information about accessing these modules please click here.