Developmental Disabilities Specialist
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Developmental Disabilities Specialist is designed for students interested in working in various settings serving children or adults with developmental disabilities. The coursework combines theory and application. Academic preparation focuses on the physical and emotional correlates of developmental disability. The students also complete an internship, gaining experience working in a school or agency supporting persons with developmental disability.
Details
Field of Interest
Behavioral Science and Human Services
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Developmental Disabilities Specialist (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5034
Total credits required
16-17
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
What You'll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Describe the physiological, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive processes associated with human behavior.
- Describe techniques to modify human behavior, with a focus on the behavior of persons with various developmental disabilities.
- Describe the physical, intellectual, social, and psychological aspects of various developmental disabilities.
- Describe current research in the area of cause, treatment approach and service delivery which impact individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Describe various community resources available to individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Demonstrate the ability to interact appropriately in a setting providing services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities.
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.
Social and Human Service Assistants
$37,020 Show expanded career information for Social and Human Service Assistants
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | SB | 3 | ||
| RE | Restricted Elective | 3–4 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDU222 or PSY243 | Introduction to the Exceptional Learner or The Psychology of Developmental Disabilities | C, SB or SB | 3 | ||
| PSY240 or PSY266 | Developmental Psychology or Psychological Disorders | SB or SB | 3 | ||
| PSY241 | Understanding and Changing Behavior | SB | 3 | ||
| PSY244 | Internship in Psychology | 1 |
Restricted Electives
Complete one (1) of the courses listed below. Restricted electives must be different from those taken for other course requirements.
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL101 | American Sign Language I | 4 | |||
| BHS170 | Case Management and Clinical Documentation | 3 | |||
| BHS175 | Trauma-Informed Care and Recovery Treatment | SB | 3 | ||
| BHS180 | Child, Family, and Adult Advocacy | 3 | |||
| BHS275 | Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health | 3 | |||
| CFS112 | Personal Growth and Family Relations | SB | 3 | ||
| CFS/ECH176 | Child Development | SB | 3 | ||
| CFS205 | Human Development | SB | 3 | ||
| CFS235 | Developing Child: Theory into Practice, Prenatal to Age Eight | SB | 3 | ||
| COM110 | Interpersonal Communication | SB | 3 | ||
| FON100 | Introductory Nutrition | 3 | |||
| PSY240 | Developmental Psychology | SB | 3 | ||
| PSY266 | Psychological Disorders | SB | 3 | ||
| SPA115 | Beginning Spanish Conversation I | 3 | |||
| SWU171 | Introduction to Social Work | H, SB | 3 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | SB | 3 | ||
| RE | Restricted Elective | 3–4 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDU222 or PSY243 | Introduction to the Exceptional Learner or The Psychology of Developmental Disabilities | C, SB or SB | 3 | ||
| PSY241 | Understanding and Changing Behavior | SB | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY240 or PSY266 | Developmental Psychology or Psychological Disorders | SB or SB | 3 | ||
| PSY244 | Internship in Psychology | 1 |
Restricted Electives
Complete one (1) of the courses listed below. Restricted electives must be different from those taken for other course requirements.
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL101 | American Sign Language I | 4 | |||
| BHS170 | Case Management and Clinical Documentation | 3 | |||
| BHS175 | Trauma-Informed Care and Recovery Treatment | SB | 3 | ||
| BHS180 | Child, Family, and Adult Advocacy | 3 | |||
| BHS275 | Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health | 3 | |||
| CFS112 | Personal Growth and Family Relations | SB | 3 | ||
| CFS/ECH176 | Child Development | SB | 3 | ||
| CFS205 | Human Development | SB | 3 | ||
| CFS235 | Developing Child: Theory into Practice, Prenatal to Age Eight | SB | 3 | ||
| COM110 | Interpersonal Communication | SB | 3 | ||
| FON100 | Introductory Nutrition | 3 | |||
| PSY240 | Developmental Psychology | SB | 3 | ||
| PSY266 | Psychological Disorders | SB | 3 | ||
| SPA115 | Beginning Spanish Conversation I | 3 | |||
| SWU171 | Introduction to Social Work | H, SB | 3 |
Course Area Key
- C = Cultural Diversity in the US
- H = Historical Awareness
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm?id=182595).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.