Direct Support Professional Microcredentials
What is a Microcredential?
Whether you are looking to upgrade skills in your current profession or enter a new field, a microcredential may be for you. Microcredentials are short, industry-focused credentials designed to provide in-demand skills that reflect the “shop floor” needs of industry. They are accelerated or “bite sized” training opportunities focused on a specific professional or career discipline and can lead to a certificate or to an initial or advanced degree.
Direct Support Professional Microcredentials
The Direct Support Professional (DSP) Microcredentials help enrolled students with
skills, education and training for work with individuals with intellectual and developmental
disabilities. These courses meet the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals
(NADSP) education accreditation requirements and prepares students to achieve the
NADSP DSP Certification.
Additionally, the microcredentials are stackable, and the DSP I when combined with
DSP II, may help the student in their attainment of the Director Support Professional
Certificate. By providing multiple opportunities for students to achieve industry-recognized
credentials along their educational journey, students have stepping off points that
retain value and accreditation.
Direct Support Professional I
This course explores several components of the Microsoft Office suite of software
applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. Upon completion of this
course, the student will be prepared to test for the Microsoft Certified Application
Specialist (MCAS) certification. Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of
Microsoft Word and Excel.
Number of Credits: 3
Total Credit Hours: 3
Mode of Delivery: in person or online
Estimate Time to Completion: 8-16 weeks
Course Description: This course focuses on the theoretical, philosophical, historical
and ethical dimensions of the social work profession in the United States. It introduces
students to core social work theories and skills and to the best practices associated
with them. This course presents current theories and issues in social work affecting
local, state and national social programs, agencies, and individuals.
Number of Credits: 3
Total Credit Hours: 3
Mode of Delivery: on campus
Estimate Time to Completion: 16 weeks
Course Description: This course introduces students to interpersonal and group communication
skills as they apply to human services settings. The course content is reinforced
by a required service learning project.
Number of Credits: 3
Total Credit Hours: 3
Mode of Delivery: on campus.
Estimate Time to Completion: 16 weeks
Direct Support Professional II
This course provides an overview of disabilities including the historical and social
context and the nature and needs of disabled individuals throughout the life cycle.
It presents a variety of theoretical frameworks to help understand the definitions,
causes, and etiology of a variety of disabilities. The course focuses on best practice
assessment and treatment methods employed to effectively address and meet the needs
of individuals with disabilities and their families.
Number of Credits: 3
Credit Hours: 3
Mode of Delivery: online
Estimate Time to Completion: 15 weeks
This course applies the principles of effective writing to the specific forms of professional
and technical writing. It emphasizes designing texts and oral presentations for professional
audiences after analyzing the needs and values of those audiences.
Number of Credits: 3
Credit Hours: 3
Mode of Delivery: in person or on line
Estimate Time to Completion: 8-16 weeks
This course provides students with an initial structured and supervised direct practice
experience in a local public or private institution, supervised by a qualified professional.
It requires a minimum of 108 hours of fieldwork and nine classroom hours of instruction,
integrating and reinforcing social work theories.
Number of Credits: 3
Credit Hours: 3
Mode of Delivery: online
Estimate Time to Completion: 15 weeks