Children's Mental Health Graduate Certificate

Two kids hugging

A Multi-Disciplinary Graduate Certificate cross-listed by the Departments of Psychology, Social Work, and Education.

The Graduate Certificate in Children's Mental Health prepares graduate degree program students and post graduates to work with agencies and systems that serve children and families. This certificate will strengthen competencies for work in education, social work, public health, or psychology jobs that specialize in children's behavioral health. The program builds on the knowledge and skills acquired through current or previous master's degree study in these or related fields.


The 12-credit graduate certificate is designed to supplement each candidate's existing experience and academic preparation and the extent to which each candidate achieves the program outcomes. Therefore, specific required courses are not listed for some of the course requirements, since individual graduate studies plans may vary based on the prior coursework of each candidate. The faculty advisors will use the program's academic preparation requirements derived from state and national children's mental health workforce competency guidelines to guide coursework selections included on the graduate studies plan.

Students in this program will develop advanced knowledge and competencies for working with children's mental health issues as well as interprofessional skills for working in Alaska's systems of care. Applicants may be in an education, psychology, social work, public health, or related degree graduate degree program or have graduated from an approved graduate degree program.

Program Highlights

  • Revised curriculum with new focus option on infant/early childhood mental health (IECMH)
  • Personalized graduate study plan based on individual's interests, training and background
  • Faculty connections with local and state agencies
  • Distance-delivery with evening and summer courses available

Student Outcomes

The program is designed to expand specific skills and clinical experiences in children's mental health and allow students to expand their expertise through a interprofessional understanding of children's mental health practices in Alaska. Outcomes for the program are based on state and national competency guidelines for children's mental health. Students who complete this program will be able to:

  • Demonstrate application of legal and ethical parameters across disciplines
  • Foster collaborative relationships with families using relationship-based, family-centered practices
  • Identify and implement culturally-responsive methods of screening and assessment in infant/early childhood and/or children's mental health
  • Apply theoretical knowledge to choose and implement evidence-based, culturally-responsive interventions and methods of evaluation in infant/early childhood and/or children's mental health
  • Describe systems of care and interprofessional practice related to children's mental health
  • Engage in reflective practice within one's own discipline

For more information

Hattie Harvey, PhD
CMH graduate certificate coordinator
907-786-4464