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 with two of her clients.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 is designed to help students develop skills to support academic success and degree completion. Students learn about the resources available at the college, how to navigate critical technology used at the college, and work with librarians to develop their information literacy skills. 
 
Number of Credits: 1
Total Credit Hours: 1
Mode of Delivery: in person or online
Estimate Time to Completion: 8-16 weeks

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

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 introduces major theories and concepts in contemporary psychology. Topics covered include biopsychology, sensation and perception, learning, memory, thinking and intelligence, lifespan, consciousness, motivation and emotion, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders, health psychology, sex, gender, and sexuality. The course introduces students to scientific methods related to psychological research.
 
Number of Credits: 3
Credit Hours: 3
Mode of Delivery: in person or online
Estimate Time to Completion: 8-16 weeks

This course provides a foundation in academic discourse by developing effective communication skills with an emphasis on expository writing; an oral presentation is required. 
 
Number of Credits: 3
Credit Hours: 3
Mode of Delivery: in person or online
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

Part-time TAP for Non-Degree Credentials Eligibility

The Direct Support Professional I & II microcredentials are eligible for the New York State Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for Non-Degree Credentials program. Provided that you meet the income eligibility requirements, this program may be able to contribute toward the cost of tuition. Income eligibility is as follows:

  • $125,000 for dependent undergraduate students, independent students who are married and have tax dependents, or independent students who are unmarried and have tax dependents
  • $60,000 for married independent undergraduate students who have no other dependents
  • $30,000 for unmarried independent undergraduate students with no dependents

If you believe you earn less than the amount listed in the criteria above, you should apply by completing the FAFSA and TAP applications. Please note you have a lifetime of eight semesters of TAP. These will be prorated for the number of credits you earn, but will use a portion of your lifetime TAP eligibility. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 518-381-1468 or email to financialaid@sunysccc.edu with any questions. 

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