Exemplary Preparation for Educational Specialists
Demand has never been stronger for trained educational specialists—and it will remain high for the foreseeable future. This means increasing professional opportunities for tutors and mentors to guide students with learning challenges toward achieving their full potential. Professional educators who chose this fulfilling career path will require exemplary preparation to enter the field in alignment with Association of Educational Therapists' (AET) requirements.
Specialized Training to Broaden Your Expertise
Educators seeking to become UC certified Educational Specialists must broaden their expertise and skill set to enable them to work effectively with clients who exhibit learning differences. This is why the certificate program in Educational Therapy at UCSC Extension in Silicon Valley combines instruction in educational and therapeutic approaches for evaluation, remediation, case management, communication, and advocacy on behalf of children, adolescents, and adults with learning disabilities or learning problems.
Emphasis on Practical Application and Internship
Our Educational Therapy program thoroughly prepares educational specialists and tutors to serve students with special needs, emphasizing practical application and experience. Hence our coursework tracks with AET requirements and culminates in an internship. Because of our tight alignment with AET, students who have established candidacy for the full certificate are encouraged to apply for an AET associate level membership.
Strategies for Addressing Learning Disabilities
We also provide aspiring education specialists the essential skills and strategies to address the social and emotional aspects of learning disabilities. Our students are trained in formal and informal assessment, learning to synthesize information from other specialists and parents, and to develop and implement appropriate remedial programs for school-related learning and behavioral challenges. They will learn how to form supportive relationships with the client and others involved in the client's educational development—and how to facilitate communication between the client, the family, the school, and involved professionals.
Who Should Attend This Program
Educational Therapy is an attractive career path for professional educators, resource specialists, special education teachers, speech and language therapists, counselors, and social workers. Education specialists who work for community agencies, hospitals, clinics, or academic institutions will also find the program to be a strong supplement to their professional training and experience. Trained therapists, too, can broaden their expertise and therapy skill set, allowing them to work effectively with clients who exhibit learning differences.
Association of Educational Therapists (AET) Membership and Certification
Although the Certificate in Educational Therapy from UCSC Extension is an important first step, it is but one part of the qualifications for membership in and certification by the AET. There are additional requirements for professional membership and still more to qualify as a Certified Educational Therapist. Before entering the UCSC Extension program, we encourage interested candidates to investigate the full requirements directly with AET by calling (818) 843-1183, or visiting their website at www.aetonline.org.
