Under federal law, States are
required to provide multidisciplinary early
intervention (EI) services to infants with disabilities
(birth to three) and their families (Part C of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA)
of 2004- Public Law 108-446).
As these EI services increasingly include Physical
Therapy, there is an increasing demand for PT’s trained to
work with infants 0-3 and their families.
On-line Certificate Program
The Department of Physical Therapy at the University of
Texas Medical Branch–Galveston
(UTMB) provides an on-line certificate program for
physical therapists working in,
or wanting to work in, early intervention settings,
include NICU’s and 0-3 early intervention programs.
Four 3-credit courses contribute to the Certificate:
•PHYT 6301 Therapy Intervention in the NICU
•PHYT 6320 Therapy Intervention in Early Intervention Settings
PHYT 6093 Independent Investigative Studies in Evidence
Based Practice
•PHYT 6360 Family
Centered and Community Based Practice
Students may take the
PHYT 6093 course at any time in the program cycle if they
are working in EI or NICU. Otherwise students must
take PHYT 6320 and PHYT 6301 prior to PHYT 6093. Typically,
each course is offered once a year.
Cost per 3 credit course:
Approximately $1100
for in-state students; approximately $1950 for out-of-state
students.
Awarding of this certificate has been approved by the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating
Board. Each course
is taken for graduate credit. The official transcript and
course syllabus may be submitted by the student to their
professional licensing agency for CE (continuing education)
consideration. Please see your state licensing agency's
website for details.
Methods of instruction include:
- Independent study and review of relevant
literature and web sites
- Discussion board postings and interactions
- Videos of early intervention service
provisions
- Observations of children, families, and
therapists providing intervention services
Advantages
- Diverse training program faculty include physical
and occupational therapists experienced in providing services to
infants and young children
- Active involvement from families of infants and
children that have received early intervention services
- Strong, supportive network from area therapists,
early intervention program directors, and state early intervention leaders
- Solid educational program with reputation for producing
outstanding clinicians and professional leaders
-
A job placement network to assist IMPRINTS
course participants seeking employment in pediatric settings
-
A
listing of pediatric continuing education courses that provides current
professional development opportunities
For more information, contact:
Christine P. Baker, PT, EdD
409-772-3068 (Central
Standard Time)
