Program Director:
Roberta Solomon, MSW, LMSW, Clinical Instructor
This Post Master’s Certificate is designed for social workers and other health professionals who are currently working with individuals with disabilities or are interested in making this a part of their practice or agency based work.
The Certificate Program will explore disability from a biological, social, psychological, spiritual, and cultural perspective. Defining what is meant by disability will be integral to the learning. This approach to understanding disability focuses on the perspective of the individual and ability not the disability. There will be an examination of political, policy, economic, historical, social factors as they influence the understanding of disability and opportunities for the individual and the family to become fully integrated into maximal functional capacity including living, learning, working, transportation and social engagement. The participants will explore and challenge myths, misperceptions, stereotypes that influence thinking about disability. Ethical issues that surround understanding disability will be integral to the learning. The participants will learn about the barriers to full participation that individuals with disabilities often confront. The program will also foster discussion on approaches to change perceptions, support advocacy, assist persons with disabilities, their families, and the community to inclusive.
The goal of the program is to provide the participants with the knowledge and skills to be active advocates and participants in maximizing opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families and to engage in advocacy and policy development as it contributes to the wholeness of the life of a person with a disability in the community, home and work.
The program will look at disability across the life cycle, differentiating between congenital and acquired disabilities as well as examining the medical, psychological, social and vocational aspects of a broad range of physical, mental, emotional, cognitive, developmental disabilities and substance abuse. It will also focus on the important role of care takers, educators, interdisciplinary team members and family play in the life of persons with disabilities. Clinical skills necessary to help guide a person through a growth process will be developed. Resources will be shared as will opportunities to visit and hear from representatives of community based and governmental agencies and organizations.
To earn the certificate each person has to take all 60 hours. It is possible to take the first four courses individually. In order to earn the certificate the Case Seminar and Capstone are required. The capstone will be customized to fit the needs and interests of the individual.
Program Philosophy
The Post Masters Certificate in Disability Practice offers advanced study in work with individuals and families who live with physical, cognitive, sensory, substance and alcohol abuse, neurological and mental health challenges. Emphasizing the clinical and human rights perspectives, participants can further their awareness, sensitivity, knowledge and skills in their substantive area of interest, and increase their competencies across categories. This program will offer social workers and other mental health professionals in related fields pertinent skills to increase their expertise, incorporating the principles of equality, empowerment, and advocacy in their clinical practice.
The program seeks to provide a broad spectrum and depth of knowledge to cultivate an understanding of ‘the person in the person-centered context’ across clinical, organizational/ programmatic and policy domains of practice. By advancing a greater appreciation of the complexities of social work practice relating to the individual, family, community, and society, the Disabilities Practices Program provides certificate candidates with the tools to break down barriers in the areas of access, communication, treatment and accommodations, allowing the opportunity for better understanding among people and advancement in comprehensive and responsive practices. The program will give equal attention to challenges that individuals with disabilities face and possibilities to assure full integration in all social aspects of independent living. The model used will be holistic. Through lectures, films, care-takers, policy leaders, and guest lectures by consumers, the participants will have the opportunity for comprehensive didactic and experiential learning.
Program Goals
- Educate social workers and related professionals about the full spectrum of the disability experience and to understand disability and ability from a historic, bio- psycho-social-spiritual-cultural-societal-policy-practice perspective.
- Understand the individuals from life span, person and family perspectives.
- Generate an understanding of the past and current paradigms that impact an understanding of challenges and accomplishments of individuals with disabilities, and support the fullest opportunities for those individuals to have the maximum level of independence desired.
- Provide the resources and tools to better engage in practice with individuals with disabilities and their families.
- Provide skills, strategies and approaches to support advocacy and stimulate personal empowerment for persons with disabilities.
2012 Dates
Program Dates:
Tuesday evenings, 6:00pm to 8:30pm
Orientation and Class 1 - Jan 10, 2012
Module 1:
- January 17th, 24th, and 31st
- February 7th, 14th, and 21st
Module 2:
- February 28th
- March 6th, 20th, and 27th
- April 3rd and 17th
Module 3:
- April 24th
- May 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th
Fees
The cost of the Full Certificate for the 2011-2012 program year is $1,800 (which can be paid in full at the start of the program or broken down into three equal payments of $600). The cost of each individual module is $600.
This course will include a required compendium totaling around $75. Specific details regarding the compendium, including the exact price and location where it can be purchased, will be included in the course syllabus.
Discounts:
- 15% discount for applicants who have already completed one NYU SSW certificate program
- 25% discount for applications who have already completed two or more NYU SSW certificate programs
- 25% discount for NYU SSW grads, field instructors, and educational coordinators
- 25% discount for three or more applicants from the same agency
Please note: discounts may not be combined.
Payment Policy: Upon acceptance into the program, a $250.00 deposit is required to hold your seat. This deposit is applied to the total cost of tuition. The balance of tuition is due before the first class session.
Registration
Please note: The start date of this program will be Tuesday, January 10, 2012. Class sessions will take place on Tuesday's from 6:00pm-8:30pm through May 2012. We are happy to accept and review new applications. We will also be convening a "launch" event in October and will let you know more about that when it is scheduled. Thank you for your interest in our program.
To register for this certificate, please download the Post Master's Certificate in Working with Individuals with Disabilities brochure which includes a registration form and payment details. Please indicate the program for which you are registering on the memo line of your check.
Registration materials may be faxed to 212-995-4172 or mailed to the address below:
NYU Silver School of Social Work
1 Washington Square North #G08
New York, NY 10003
Attn: DLLPD
The deadline to apply for this program is December 13, 2011. To apply, please submit the following materials:
- Registration form
- CV
- Short bio
