Certificate Program
The NDC Professional Certificate Program is an opportunity for people to enhance their knowledge and earn specialty certificates in a structured yet gradual learning process. Completing a certificate will equip learners with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to implement change within programs or services in education and training settings.
Our certificates allow participants to earn verified credentials (open badges) that reflect participation and completion of continuing education activities sponsored by NDC. NDC has adopted standards established by the U.S. Department of Education for awarding continuing education units and will offer verification of ‘clock hours’ of learning in the form of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Clock Hours. We have a range of Certificate opportunities available!
Specialty Certificates
Specialty Certificates are specialized topics of focus. They are a series of online learning modules exploring deaf awareness, systems knowledge, and accessibility practices, and will equip you with practical tools for success. Each certificate pathway will consist of foundational modules, content-specific modules, elective modules, and implementation activities.
These self-paced professional development pathways strengthen individual, institutional, and organizational capacity to serve deaf people. Specialty Certificates are intended for newly active professionals and can be a refresher for those with more experience.
Micro Certificates
Micro Certificates offer a self-paced way to build knowledge and awareness of deaf communities. Learn about lived experiences and evidence-based practices that can create accessible learning and work environments for deaf people. NDC’s micro certificates are for anyone who works with or wants to work with deaf people. The flexible pathways allow you to learn at your own pace while building skills to enhance your abilities to connect with deaf people in different settings.
Professional Certificate Program Benefits
Earn Digital Credentials
Open badges are verifiable, stackable, and portable to document your continuing education and ongoing professional development.
Expand Your Network
Develop a network with other professionals while you develop skills and knowledge throughout the program.
Sense of Community
Earn membership into a community of practitioners committed to working towards improving systems and experiences for deaf people.
Core Competencies
Engage in effective outreach to deaf people
Effectively use technology to provide access and accommodations
Provide services to deaf people and their families.
Recognize the impact of root causes and systemic barriers on enrollment, persistence, and completion of postsecondary outcomes for deaf people.
Demonstrate knowledge and awareness of the diverse experiences of deaf people in a variety of settings.
Implement evidence-driven practices and strategies that center a deaf person’s experience.
Create, implement, and scale up services to ensure deaf people can participate in a range of postsecondary programs and activities.
Deaf Awareness Micro Certificate
The Deaf Awareness Micro Certificate is a focused program that encourages self-awareness and understanding of systems and attitudes experienced by deaf people. The Deaf Awareness Micro Certificate will allow you to explore lived experiences of deaf people and learn strategies to create accessible environments. Through self-reflection, you will be challenged to examine attitudes and assumptions about deaf people and apply methods to challenge and deconstruct them. Additionally, you will explore the barriers deaf individuals face in education, training, and work environments, as well as learn strategies to advocate for and promote deaf-friendly policies and practices.
After completing five hours of self-paced modules online, you will have a deeper understanding of barriers deaf people face and be better prepared to create inclusive, accessible spaces.
- Identify examples of diverse lived experiences of deaf people.
- Implement strategies to ensure accessible participation opportunities for deaf people.
- Reflect on personal attitudes and assumptions about deaf people and apply strategies to deconstruct them.
- Analyze the barriers deaf people face in various postsecondary contexts, including transition, education, and employment, and apply this information to promote deaf-friendly policies.
- Deaf 101
- Attitudes as Barriers for Deaf People
- Discovering System Barriers and Exploring WHY
- Transforming Systems to Improve Experiences for Deaf People
- Building Relationships with Deaf Communities
Once we receive your form and review it, you will receive a Canvas course invitation and a welcome email.
Specialty Certificates
Unlock new opportunities to improve the experiences of deaf students on your campus in NDC’s comprehensive online learning experience. This specialty certificate is specifically tailored to Disability Services Professionals who are seeking to strengthen their knowledge and skills in working with deaf students.
Opt in for this specialty certificate and gain access to a range of self-directed modules and interactive online courses. Explore topics such as deaf awareness, systems knowledge, and accessibility practices, all designed to equip you with practical tools for success.
Overview
The Accessibility Practices Certificate is designed with professionals with little to no experience working with deaf students in postsecondary settings in mind; yet it will also benefit professionals with more experience. The certificate pathway is a self-paced experience designed to strengthen individual, institutional, and organizational capacity to serve deaf people. Participants who opt-in for this specialty certificate will navigate a sequenced learning pathway to gain foundational knowledge and skills necessary to support the implementation of person-centered accessibility services for deaf students. Upon completing this specialty certificate, participants will be able to evaluate current practices, improve existing practices, and/or establish new practices using a systems framework.Learning Objectives
- Identify examples of diverse lived experiences of deaf people.
- Implement strategies to ensure accessible participation opportunities for deaf people.
- Reflect on personal attitudes and assumptions about deaf people and apply strategies to deconstruct them.
- Analyze the barriers deaf people face in various postsecondary contexts, including transition, education, and employment, and apply this information to promote deaf-friendly policies.
Why Choose the Accessibility Practices Certificate (APC)?
This certificate track offers a scaffolded learning experience for professionals with little to no experience working with deaf students in postsecondary education settings. The learning pathway is designed to strengthen the individual capacity to secure, coordinate, evaluate, and implement accommodations and accessibility services for deaf students and visitors. By the end of this learning pathway, participants will be able to: 1) examine structural inequities and operations within systems (policies and practices) identify problem areas, and plan for sustainable improvements. (2) implement evidence-based practices and strategies in a manner that centers the experience of deaf people (3) promote equity-mindedness and accessibility frameworks that improve postsecondary outcomes and experiences (4) effectively use technology to plan for access and accommodations for current and future deaf students or visitors.Certificate Track Requirements
Total Clock Hours: 35 Hours- 5 foundations modules (5hrs)
- 10 content modules (10hrs)
- 5 elective modules (5hrs)
- 1 implementation course (15hrs)
Overview
The Deaf-Centered Practices for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Specialty Certificate was developed in direct response to the field’s growing need for qualified professionals equipped to serve deaf individuals effectively. With a significant shortage of Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf (RCDs) across the country, this program is designed to strengthen individual counselors’ capacity and confidence in working with deaf clients. Ideal for those pursuing careers in specialized rehabilitation services, the certificate offers essential exposure to current trends, best practices, and deaf-centered approaches in vocational rehabilitation.Why Choose the Deaf-Centred Practices for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Certificate?
This two-part certificate program offers a structured professional development pathway for Vocational Rehabilitation counselors who are new to or have limited experience working with deaf individuals. Designed to build both individual and organizational capacity, the program includes 20 hours of self-paced learning modules and a 15-hour apprenticeship experience, totaling 35 hours. Through this learning journey, participants will develop foundational skills to effectively support deaf individuals in accessing and completing postsecondary education and training. By the end of the program, participants will be able to: (1) demonstrate culturally responsive case management, service coordination, and planning practices that reflect the diverse lived experiences of deaf people; (2) identify systemic barriers that impact postsecondary access, persistence, and completion; (3) recommend accessibility practices that promote equity and full participation in postsecondary settings; and (4) apply deaf-centered approaches to support the educational and career success of deaf clients.Certificate Track Requirements
Total Clock Hours: 35 Hours- 5 foundations modules (5hrs)
- 10 content modules (10hrs)
- 5 elective modules (5hrs)
- 1 implementation activity: mentoring (15hrs)
Specialty Certificates Waitlist
Stay tuned for additional Specialty Certificates from NDC!
