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IECMH Certificate

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate

Become a highly-skilled practitioner working from an infant mental health lens.

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Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate video

Support Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Their Families

Learn how to support their social, emotional and relational development in a range of settings.

Guide parent-child relationships through promotion, prevention, intervention, or consultation services. Support parents and children experiencing relationship challenges. Work with young children with social and emotional behavioral concerns and their caregivers. Learn to support infants, young children, and caregivers who have experienced trauma.

Online Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate Program Highlights

Work With an Internationally Recognized Infant & Early Childhood Faculty

18 Credit Hours

2 Years

Summer and Fall Term Starts

Online

$775 Credit Hour

For Experienced Infant, Family and Mental Health Professionals Like You  

If you have a minimum of three to five years of experience working with infants, toddlers, and their families and a bachelor’s degree in a related field this certificate can help open up new doors for you.

You’re well-suited for this program if you work with infants and toddlers as a:

  • Licensed mental health clinician
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • Supervisor or administrator
  • Consultant
  • Credentialed early intervention (EI) provider
  • Child development specialist
  • Family support specialist
  • Home visitor
  • Early childhood educator
  • Health professional (occupational therapists speech and language pathologists, pediatricians, nurse practitioners)

Hear from Our Alum

Zenia Haynes
Infant Mental Health Certificate 2022
“ When I first entered the Erikson Infant Mental Health Certificate/Credential program, I did not perceive how the work I currently do could be impactful to the field of infant mental health. The beauty of the program is that it meets the student where they are, and using strength-based approaches and reflection, helps students to see what they can contribute to make the world a better place. ”
infant mental health

Endorsement Crosswalk

As part of the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate Program you will have the opportunity to obtain an Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health® supported by the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health (Alliance).

The Alliance and Erikson Institute have partnered to develop a co-branded crosswalk across the IECMH Certificate Program curriculum and the Competency Guidelines. This crosswalk provides a guide that will allow professionals to apply for a category of Endorsement that most aligns with their scope of practice, in a manner that is streamlined and efficient.

MORE ABOUT ERIKSON’S CROSSWALK

Explore a Few of the Certificate Courses

See all infant & early childhood mental health courses

Foundations of Infant Mental Health
This course will provide an historical, theoretical, and empirical overview of the field of infant mental health.
I370
Infant Observation
This two semester course guides participants through a process of observation, which includes visits to the family of a newborn twice each month, recording descriptive notes, and discussing the observations in a monthly seminar.
I371
Infant Mental Health Practice: Developmental Intervention
As a foundation for infant mental health practice across settings, this course reviews a range of approaches to developmental intervention with young children with social/ emotional, behavioral and developmental concerns and their families, and addresses how the child’s and family’s strengths and vulnerabilities inform the intervention process.
IMH I372
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Apply Now the Advance Grant to Cover 100% of Tuition Costs

Applications for the fall cohort must be received by July 14th, 2023.

Erikson is proud to be selected by Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office to offer full-tuition grants for Illinois professionals pursuing an IECMH Certificate. The Advance Grant seeks to create more equitable access to early childhood mental health services.

Admission criteria:

    • Minimum of 3 years working in a clinical or child development related field.
    • Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree.
    • This opportunity is for Illinois residents.
    • Additional criteria may apply.

Apply Here

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FINANCIAL SUPPORT & SCHOLARSHIP OPTIONS

Look Into Erikson’s Robust Financial Support & Scholarship Options

With dozens of scholarships and financial aid opportunities, our team is here to help you make your graduate education more affordable.

Based on your unique professional goals, we can help you understand tuition and expenses, and identify possible financial support opportunities.

Financial Aid Options  Tuition and Fees

TALK TO A FINANCIAL ADVISOR 

Mary Reynolds, IECMH Certificate 2012, talks about filling the gap of early childhood development knowledge.

“I learned so much that filled in gaps of things that I needed to know — and knew I needed to know — but didn’t know where to find.”