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Direct Support Professional, Certificate

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Overview

This certificate program is designed for student interested in a variety of entry level positions in the field of Human Services and specifically services for those living with disabilities — including developmental, psychological and physical disabilities. Many of our former students now work in nursing homes, developmental centers, group homes for the mentally challenged, outpatient clinics, etc.

We continually make adjustments/changes to this program to make it as relevant as possible to a wide number of human services settings.

Program Goals and Objectives
  • To enable students to experience internships in these settings before they graduate.
  • To help students develop the personal and interpersonal skills they will need to provide these services.
  • To prepare students for entry level positions in the fields of services to those who are differently-abled.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a  determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified.

The Direct Support Professional Certificate program at SUNY Niagara is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State.

Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that Direct Support Professional Certificate program at SUNY Niagara, if successfully completed, is sufficient to meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the following U.S. States:

State Direct Support Professional  
New York https://opwdd.ny.gov/career-opportunities/direct-support

It is important to note that SUNY Niagara is not the licensure/certification authority in these U.S. States and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in these U.S. States and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.

Alumni Spotlight

Elizabeth Zwack ’20

“The Disability Studies, Certificate program opened my eyes to the world of those facing everyday challenges. I thought I was familiar with the subject before I enrolled, but through my coursework and lectures, I have a deeper understanding of developmental, psychological and physical disabilities. My plan after graduation is to work full time at a memory care residence, which is a facility for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.”

Elizabeth Zwack

Program Contact

Cindy Oberjosh, Ed.D.
Program Coordinator
Phone: 716-614-6756
Email: oberjosh@niagaracc.suny.edu
Location: E-128
Division Office: 716-614-6710 (E-238)