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Certificate Program

Educational Therapy

Empower your students

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Certificate Description

The impact of inspired learning

Learn how individualized interventions can make a tremendous impact in the classroom, in private practice, and in the home. In one of the few Association of Educational Therapists-approved training programs, you will learn to assess the different challenges students have so you can effectively collaborate with an educational team and understand the underlying theory and the latest research to implement practical strategies for learning.

Teachers, tutors, resource specialists, and aspiring educational therapists will learn to empower and inspire their students. The material also supports you in setting up your own clinical practice.

Educational and therapeutic strategy

Our curriculum guides you to combine educational and therapeutic strategies—for evaluation, remediation, advocacy, and case management—on behalf of individuals with learning differences.

Gain one-on-one experience

Educational therapists work one-on-one through using socio-emotional, psycho-educational, and neuropsychological paradigms to develop individualized learning and treatment plans. They alleviate learning difficulties by using individuals’ strengths to overcome challenges.

Our Educational Therapy students

This program is designed for all educators, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and other allied professionals at all levels as well as individuals interested in learning enrichment.

Educational Therapy certificate program objectives

  • Understand challenges faced by students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, autism spectrum, and other learning differences.
  • Comprehend the theories, issues, strategies, and materials related to the assessment and instruction of students with reading difficulties.
  • Learn how dyscalculia impacts learning and apply strategies for helping students understand computation and problem-solving in mathematics.
  • Employ ethical principles in the field, and develop a business plan for managing a clinical practice.
  • Use and understand assessment tools and procedures frequently used in educational therapy settings.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the priorities of learners, their needs, and the process of building a remediation plan.

Suitability for practice

The UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Educational Therapy program is committed to candidates’ development of ethical practice, establishment of professional boundaries, client confidentiality, and their awareness of internship competence and personal limitations.

AET Code of Conduct

At any time during a candidate’s progress through the internship, should a significant concern regarding the candidate’s suitability for the profession occur, in accordance with the AET Code of Conduct and based on the candidate’s apparent behavior, a committee of program director, program manager, program chair and mentor shall convene to review the candidate’s conduct and performance. The committee shall interview the student and person(s) who raised the concern and consult with administration. After careful deliberation, the committee will determine, whether or not there is a basis for concern and, if there is a basis for concern, will determine a course of action, which could include possible immediate program disqualification or substantive remediation that can involve course or clinical placement or repetition. Should a candidate wish to appeal the review committee’s decision, the same procedures would be followed for appealing an academic decision as described in the UCSC Extension policies.

   

AET-approved

The UCSC Silicon Valley Professional Educational Therapy certificate program is approved by the Association of Educational Therapists. Founded in 1979, AET defines and sets standards for the professional practice of educational therapy. Educational therapists provide a broad range of individualized educational interventions for children and adults with learning disabilities and other learning challenges.

See the Professional Development section below for more information on AET.

Recent online events

Teaching the Struggling Student

Learn about how to identify and work with students who have common learning differences in this in-depth overview presentation by Diana Kenney, an educational therapist and instructor in the UCSC Extension certificate program. (May 2023)

Changing One Life at a Time

Enjoy this discussion among teachers & students as they talk about why they've dedicated themselves to this work. They share what it’s like to get started and grow your career in different sectors. (June 2022)

Program Overview

Estimated Cost: Starts at $6,090. Does not include potential practicum or internship costs. (You pay only for courses you enroll in.) | International Tuition Cost
Program Requirements: 10–11 courses (minimum 30 quarter units). Take 8 required courses (26 quarter units) and 2–3 elective courses (minimum 4 quarter units). End certificate review.
Minimum Hours of Instruction: 300 hours of instruction.
Estimated Duration: A full-time student can complete the certificate in about two years.
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Courses

Syllabus Library

1. Required Course(s): Seven Total & Equal to 21 Units

Spring TBD
Quarter Units: 3.0
Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
Section ID
Want to enroll or get the estimated cost of future sections? Notify Me
Summer TBD
Quarter Units: 3.0
Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
Section ID
Want to enroll or get the estimated cost of future sections? Notify Me
Quarter Units: 3.0
Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
Section ID

06-17-2023 to 09-02-2023
$640.00
EDTH.X301.(9)
Want to enroll or get the estimated cost of future sections? Notify Me
+ +
Quarter Units: 3.0
Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
Section ID
Want to enroll or get the estimated cost of future sections? Notify Me
Quarter Units: 3.0
Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
Section ID

07-11-2023 to 08-28-2023
$640.00
EDTH.X300.(810)
Want to enroll or get the estimated cost of future sections? Notify Me
Quarter Units: 3.0
Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
Section ID
Want to enroll or get the estimated cost of future sections? Notify Me
Quarter Units: 3.0
Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
Section ID

07-14-2023 to 08-05-2023
$640.00
EDTH.X305.(7)
Want to enroll or get the estimated cost of future sections? Notify Me

2. Electives:

+ +
Quarter Units: 3.0
Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
Section ID

06-29-2023 to 09-07-2023
$640.00
EDTH.X310.(808)
Want to enroll or get the estimated cost of future sections? Notify Me
Quarter Units: 3.0
Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
Section ID
Want to enroll or get the estimated cost of future sections? Notify Me
Spring TBD
Quarter Units: 3.0
Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
Section ID
Want to enroll or get the estimated cost of future sections? Notify Me
Quarter Units: 3.0
Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
Section ID
Want to enroll or get the estimated cost of future sections? Notify Me
Winter TBD Summer TBD
Quarter Units: 1.0
Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
Section ID
Want to enroll or get the estimated cost of future sections? Notify Me
Quarter Units: 3.0
Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
Section ID
Want to enroll or get the estimated cost of future sections? Notify Me
Quarter Units: 3.0
Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
Section ID

07-11-2023 to 08-28-2023
$640.00
EDTH.X309.(812)
Want to enroll or get the estimated cost of future sections? Notify Me

3. Capstone Course:

Quarter Units: 5.0
Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
Section ID
Want to enroll or get the estimated cost of future sections? Notify Me

4. Completion Review:

Start / End Date
Cost
Instructor
Location
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Meet Our Instructors

Bibinaz Pirayesh
Educational Therapist & Founder, www.OneOfOneKids.org
Diana Black Kennedy
Educational Therapist, Speaker, Author
Erin Berg
Educational Specialist in Private Practice
John R Fleming
Founder / Director, Developmental Learning Solutions
Melissa Chi Le
Teacher | Program Chair
Michaela A De Sapio-Yazar
Instructor | Tutor
Rachael M Haven
Assistive Technology Consultant, TechPotential
Sharmila Roy
Special Consultant, Schwab Learning Center | Program Chair

What students are saying===

======{'student': <Student: Lisa M. Barratt>, 'instructor': <Instructor: Diana Black Kennedy>, 'date': datetime.date(2022, 7, 11), 'testimonial': 'Diana is a compassionate\xa0and encouraging instructor, her wealth of knowledge is only exceeded by her obvious love of the work she does and the students and families she supports. Her literacy course stands out as a wonderful learning experience.'}-======
"Diana is a compassionate and encouraging instructor, her wealth of knowledge is only exceeded by her obvious love of the work she does and the students and families she supports. Her literacy course stands out as a wonderful learning experience."
— Lisa M. Barratt Educational Therapist
Lisa M. Barratt
======{'student': <Student: Evaluation Kit>, 'instructor': <Instructor: Jagadeesh Vasudevamurthy>, 'date': datetime.date(2021, 7, 1), 'testimonial': 'I finally understand recursion.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Sean Zaidman>, 'instructor': <Instructor: Ly-Huong T Pham>, 'date': datetime.date(2019, 12, 20), 'testimonial': "It’s great to have a teacher with so much experience. She was able to take what's in the book and apply it to real-world examples. It helped translate the education into what I would need in my everyday work."}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Evaluation Kit>, 'instructor': None, 'date': datetime.date(2020, 10, 1), 'testimonial': 'I received a clear view of the industry and what are the needs faced by enterprises today.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Kumari Khushboo, MD>, 'instructor': <Instructor: Jeaneen C Wallis>, 'date': datetime.date(2021, 11, 15), 'testimonial': 'You have been a helpful guide throughout this course. I really whole heartedly appreciate the time you invested in helping and guiding me. I hope I have learned well and I will continue to grow.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Neville Mistry>, 'course': <Offering: Extreme-Agile Project Management>, 'date': datetime.date(2020, 9, 15), 'testimonial': 'From assignments, class exercises, and group discussions to the project work and quizzes—it all helped me build strong foundations and solidify concepts.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Tom T. Hua>, 'instructor': <Instructor: Ajay K Mittal>, 'date': datetime.date(2022, 8, 8), 'testimonial': 'I have been using C++ for years, but still learned valuable new things from C++ Programming. I would highly recommend this class to anyone interested in learning C++. Instructor Mittal had a great personality and a sense of humor.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Dita Papraniku>, 'course': <Offering: Good Clinical Practices>, 'date': datetime.date(2022, 3, 3), 'testimonial': 'I just want to thank you for the amazing class on the GCP research process. I enjoyed the many real life examples you provided throughout the course. I found this to be very helpful. Dr. Wallis is an excellent speaker and communicator.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: SasiKumar Arumugan>, 'course': <Offering: Data Structures and Algorithms Using Java>, 'date': datetime.date(2020, 9, 8), 'testimonial': 'This is a great course for people who are interested in knowing algorithms and the types of algorithms supported by data structures. That basically changes the way one could approach a problem and solve it effectively.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Sharon Barkan, MA, ET/P>, 'instructor': <Instructor: Diana Black Kennedy>, 'date': datetime.date(2022, 6, 21), 'testimonial': "Diana's knowledge is incredible, and her willingness to share it all is an integral part of her contribution to the field of Educational Therapy. One couldn't ask for better guidance or teaching."}-======
"Diana's knowledge is incredible, and her willingness to share it all is an integral part of her contribution to the field of Educational Therapy. One couldn't ask for better guidance or teaching."
— Sharon Barkan, MA, ET/P Educational Therapist
Sharon Barkan, MA, ET/P
======{'student': <Student: Evaluation Kit>, 'instructor': <Instructor: Jagadeesh Vasudevamurthy>, 'date': datetime.date(2021, 1, 15), 'testimonial': "Awesome instructor. Extremely knowledgeable. Made sure every question was answered. One of the best teachers I've had."}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Vandana Gupta>, 'instructor': <Instructor: Melissa Chi Le>, 'date': datetime.date(2018, 1, 26), 'testimonial': 'She’s really inspired me to do a lot of things I was not doing with the kids. It helps you think differently about your role. It helped me a lot with teaching art and creativity. If they want to color a heart blue, we let them do it.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Jumar Balacy>, 'course': <Offering: Capstone User Experience Project>, 'date': datetime.date(2021, 6, 15), 'testimonial': 'The capstone project course was my favorite course for sure. I got to exercise my skill of coding but still do design. Everything we learned we got to put into it.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Evaluation Kit>, 'instructor': <Instructor: Dianne V Conry>, 'date': datetime.date(2020, 10, 1), 'testimonial': 'Dianne was very available to address questions and really make sure we understood the topics'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Tom T. Hua>, 'course': <Offering: C++ Programming>, 'date': datetime.date(2022, 8, 9), 'testimonial': 'The instructor presented a wide degree of material with great teaching methods. He was available to students beyond the class hours. In-class practice, homework, & the final enabled us to apply accumulated knowledge in C++ throughout the course'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Renato Roschel Ribeiro, MBA>, 'course': <Offering: Introduction to Machine Learning>, 'date': datetime.date(2018, 4, 2), 'testimonial': 'It was pretty deep and the assignments were demanding so I had to work hard to get the point.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Aakash Dave>, 'course': <Offering: Data Analysis, Introduction>, 'date': datetime.date(2020, 1, 22), 'testimonial': 'I made a lot of good connections while I was here.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Evaluation Kit>, 'course': None, 'date': datetime.date(2021, 7, 16), 'testimonial': 'I would recommend this course to anyone who is starting a business, in the early stages of their career, and an expert in their field who wants to stay there on the bleeding edge bringing the best of the industry to their work every day.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Nell Redaniel>, 'course': <Offering: ECE 3: Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Programs>, 'date': datetime.date(2021, 5, 6), 'testimonial': 'Curriculum is an important class. It was done in a super fun way. The instructor had little mini projects—finger puppets, stories and cooking recipes. I still have all my work. I made it part of my professional portfolio.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Evaluation Kit>, 'instructor': <Instructor: Philip H Ziman>, 'date': datetime.date(2023, 4, 25), 'testimonial': 'I really appreciate how engaged Professor Ziman is. He pulls the class in for discussion to make us think, challenge the way we approach things, keep us accountable, and more. I would take another class with Professor Ziman.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Kristina Liu, PhD. ACRP-CP/CPM>, 'course': <Offering: Good Clinical Practices>, 'date': datetime.date(2022, 3, 21), 'testimonial': 'I would argue that\xa0your\xa0certificate\xa0program\xa0is better than most degreed programs.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Lisa Epstein, MSTC, JD, MSW>, 'course': <Offering: Educational Therapy Practicum>, 'date': datetime.date(2021, 10, 22), 'testimonial': 'The instructor provided practical guidance, helped give me the confidence to work with a new cohort of students, and made sure that class sessions were useful. She invited allied professionals to provide insight and advice on the field of ET.'}-======
"The instructor provided practical guidance, helped give me the confidence to work with a new cohort of students, and made sure that class sessions were useful. She invited allied professionals to provide insight and advice on the field of ET."
— Lisa Epstein, MSTC, JD, MSW Learning Specialist | Educational Therapist | Business Owner
Lisa Epstein, MSTC, JD, MSW
======{'student': <Student: Jasleen Kaur Monga>, 'instructor': <Instructor: Diana Black Kennedy>, 'date': datetime.date(2022, 8, 22), 'testimonial': "Diana is a fabulous instructor and is always willing to share her insights and make sure course content is adapted to everyone's needs. She is approachable and willing to help you have a thorough understanding of the content without judgment."}-======
"Diana is a fabulous instructor and is always willing to share her insights and make sure course content is adapted to everyone's needs. She is approachable and willing to help you have a thorough understanding of the content without judgment."
— Jasleen Kaur Monga Learning Specialist | Educational Therapist
Jasleen Kaur Monga
======{'student': <Student: Fred Bauzon>, 'course': <Offering: Regulation of Medical Devices and Diagnostics>, 'date': datetime.date(2017, 10, 26), 'testimonial': 'That next person you say hello to at the class in Extension may give you a lead to your next job. People in my classes all worked at some of the biggest companies in the area, from Gilead to Genentech.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Agnieszka Zimolag>, 'course': <Offering: Designing User Experience for AR, Smart Things, Virtual Reality, and Wearable Technology>, 'date': datetime.date(2021, 4, 5), 'testimonial': 'The class involved whiteboard sessions and collaboration projects which really prepared me well to start working in the industry and tackle UX design interviews.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Renuka Adnane, MSOD PHR SHRM-CP>, 'course': <Offering: Human Resource Management>, 'date': datetime.date(2019, 10, 28), 'testimonial': 'It’s a very supportive program. The engagement within our class was great. We learned from the professors as well as our classmates.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Bouwien Luppes>, 'course': <Offering: Integrated Marketing Communication>, 'date': datetime.date(2018, 4, 23), 'testimonial': 'The response from my fellow students was so enthusiastic that I had to think more in depth. It evolved. Every course demands that you think in a certain way. Every course took me a step further.'}-====== ======{'student': <Student: Diana Kennedy, B.C.E.T,>, 'course': <Offering: Educational Therapy Practicum>, 'date': datetime.date(2022, 6, 27), 'testimonial': 'The UCSC Educational Therapy program expanded my knowledge base and gave me the experience necessary to transition from classroom teacher to educational therapist. It has made an enormous impact on my life.'}-======
"The UCSC Educational Therapy program expanded my knowledge base and gave me the experience necessary to transition from classroom teacher to educational therapist. It has made an enormous impact on my life."
— Diana Kennedy, B.C.E.T, Educational Therapist Board-Certified Educational Therapist | Instructor
Diana Kennedy, B.C.E.T,
======{'student': <Student: SasiKumar Arumugan>, 'instructor': <Instructor: Jagadeesh Vasudevamurthy>, 'date': datetime.date(2020, 9, 8), 'testimonial': 'Jagadeesh really prepares for the sessions and the assignments, not letting students to lose focus during classes, engaging all. He has got a lot of examples to share and makes people think to apply what we learn in the class.'}-======

Certificate Inquiry Form

Contact Us
Speak to a student services representative.

Call (408) 861-3860

Envelope extension@ucsc.edu

Professional Development

AET-Approved

The UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Educational Therapy certificate program is approved by the Association of Educational Therapists.

Benefits of an AET-approved Program
  1. Fast-Tracked Membership—Alumni of UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Educational Therapy professional certificate program proceed through the AET membership process faster than those students who graduated from a program that is not AET-approved.
  2. Professional Opportunity—Although to become a Board Certified Educational Therapist-level AET member requires a master's degree, graduates of our Ed Therapy certificate program can become an associate member of the AET without a master's degree. Note: BCETs need to take professional development courses and earn 40 hours every four years.
  3. Conference Scholarships—UCSC Extension students may apply for scholarships to attend AET’s annual conference.

   

AET Certification

Visit the Association of Educational Therapy, to learn more about the organization's own certification requirements.

Licensure and Certification Policy

The certification by the AET is optional for practice in the field. There is currently no state licensure for educational therapy.

Please see our Licensure and Certification Policy to learn more.

Requisite Knowledge

Please review the course descriptions to ensure that you have taken necessary prerequisites or meet the requirements through job experience or previous education.

Note: We require a bachelor’s degree and preferably some experience working with children to complete this certificate program.

If you do not have an educational background, we strongly recommend that you enroll in the following courses.

Advisory Board

Instructor Sharmila Roy

Certificate Program Chair

SHARMILA ROY, Ph.D., has over 30 years of experience in special education, primarily in teacher training, classroom interventions, and curriculum development. She is a special consultant for the Schwab Learning Center in Palo Alto, CA, and has worked in private practice as an educational therapist, as well as in the non-profit sector, and helped families navigate the special education system for their children. She has extensive experience working in K-7 classrooms and one-on-one with exceptional students, especially in the area of multi-sensory mathematics learning for students with learning differences and executive functional skills. Roy has been trained in the United Kingdom and received a doctorate in Special Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She has served as the chair of the Educational Therapy certificate program since 2014.

Certificate Program Advisory Committee

JOHN FLEMING, M.Ed., BCET
DLS Founder & Director, Developmental Learning Solutions
Instructor, UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Educational Therapy Certificate Program

DIANA KENNEDY, M.A., BCET
Educational Therapist, Mindspark Custom Learning Solutions
Instructor, UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Educational Therapy Certificate Program

BIBI PIRAYESH, Ph.D., M.A., B.A.
Educational Therapist, Founder @OneofOneKids, Keynote Speaker, Professor

ERIN POWERS, M.Ed., BCET
Education Consultant and Literacy Specialist, Erin Powers Learning

SHARMILA ROY, Ph.D.
Chair/Instructor, UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Educational Therapy Certificate Program

ASHLEY SHAPIRO, M.A., BCET
Executive Director / Founder of edcahoots

Establish Candidacy

Establish candidacy in a certificate or specialization

Once you create your student account, you can establish candidacy in a certificate or specialization program any time during your studies.

The benefits of enrolling early
  • Lock in your certificate requirements.This means that even if program requirements change, the requirements to complete your certificate will remain the same for you
  • Receive program updates
  • Set your intention
  • It’s free

To complete a program, you must enroll in the certificate program before enrolling in the Certificate Completion Review.

You have five years to complete all necessary courses in a certificate program or three years to finish up a specialization program.

All the necessary units in a certificate must be completed within this window.* The clock begins on the first day of your first course in the certificate program. For example, if you started a course on Sept. 5, 2017, you would have to complete all of the required units in this certificate by Sept. 4, 2022.

Note:

Enrolling in a certificate program does not trigger the beginning of the five-year window. It begins the first day of the first course that applies to a certificate program. The Certificate Completion Review process does not have to occur within the five-year timeframe.

For more information: How do I get my certificate or specialization?

* Students participating in a special program, such as workforce, international, Personal Financial Planning, or curriculum partner programs (such as GreenFig or CLS by Barbri) may have a shorter completion requirement.

Establish Candidacy

Grade Requirements

Please note that only letter grades of C or higher may be applied to a certificate, and in some programs, students may have more stringent requirements. Students in most employer- and government-sponsored payment programs, such as workforce development, as well as international students on F-1 visas, need to maintain a B average to meet their requirements. Personal Financial Planning students have additional grade requirements for individual courses to attain a certificate.

See Grading and Credits Policy for further information.