Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

About the Program

The College of Health and Human Services, Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and the New Hampshire/Maine-Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (NH/ME-LEND) training program at the Institute on Disability co-sponsor the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Graduate Certificate program. The needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities extend beyond the boundaries of any one discipline. Therefore, this 12-credit-hour program emphasizes an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to providing holistic, family-centered services to individuals with IDD and their families. Students enrolled in the certificate program will benefit from collaboration and interaction with faculty and students from many departments within the university. This 12-credit hour Graduate Certificate program will allow you to take graduate-level courses at a leading public university while also giving you the option to apply credits toward a graduate degree program. Additionally, students will benefit from working with staff and faculty associated with the Institute on Disability (IOD) and the NH/ME-LEND program which focuses on developing educational excellence related to: a) current knowledge regarding neurodevelopmental disabilities, b) interdisciplinary practice, and c) strategies for effective leadership.

Who Should Apply

• Individuals interested in improving the quality of life for individuals with IDD and their families
• Trainees enrolled in the New Hampshire/Maine-Leadership in Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NH/ME-LEND) training program
• Individuals interested in taking graduate level courses at a leading university, with the option of applying credit toward a graduate degree in their respective disciplines
• Individuals interested in working with an interdisciplinary group of faculty and students
• Individuals interested in advancing their careers or in developing new career options

Application Information

Individuals holding a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution are eligible to apply. Applicants much submit:

1. an application form,
2. official transcripts, and
3. a $25 processing fee (this fee is waived for currently enrolled graduate students).
    

Applications are available by contacting the Program Coordinator. Applications will be accepted anytime, and admissions decisions made promptly.

Students who are already enrolled in a graduate program and wish to add a certificate as a secondary degree should fill out the secondary certificate application.

Any students who have admission questions can contact [email protected] in the Social Work Department.

Contact Information

Patrick Shannon, MSW. Ph.D.
Pronouns: He/him/his
Associate Professor and IDD Grad Certificate Coordinator
Department of Social Work
55 College Rd., 311 Pettee Hall
Durham, NH 03824
(603) 970-0870 (Office)

• Transcript evaluation by a third party is not required as long as an application is in English. Translation services and evaluation services may be requested at the discretion of the academic department.
• Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.
• International applicants may submit copies of official transcripts by emailing [email protected]. We will upload those transcripts to your application checklist. 
• Official transcripts will be required if admitted. These can be hand-delivered in a sealed envelope upon arrival, emailed to [email protected], or mailed hardcopy to UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall, 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824.