Direct Support Professional (Microcredentials)

Short-term college credentials for DSPs

Are you a Direct Support Professional currently employed with a human service organization or agency? Jamestown Community College has a microcredential program for you! For a limited time, JCC is offering a free microcredential program in partnership with SUNY, OPWDD, and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals.

Successful completion of this microcredential program prepares employees to level up their skills. Each microcredential includes:

  • Free college courses - all tuition, books, and fees are paid through our partnership grant
  • Free national certification through the NADSP
  • Special coaching and support
  • Upon successfully completing the college courses and NADSP certification at each level, eligible students may earn a stipend of $750
  • Students successfully completing DSP-1, 2, and 3 will have up to 28 credits toward their associate's degree

JCC also offers a microcredential for DSP Front Line Supervisors. If you are an FLS, you are also eligible for free tuition, books, and fees, as well as free certification through the NADSP. This microcredential is funded for a limited time through our partnership grant. Upon successful completion of the college courses and NADSP certification, eligible students may earn a stipend of $1,000.

Consult the current course schedule for course availability.

Eligibility requirements

  • NYS resident
  • Currently employed as a Direct Support Professional

Program pathway

Earn these microcredentials as a part of:

Courses

DSP-1 | 1 Semester

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

COH 1400: Fundamentals of Supportive Care

3

ENG 1510: English Composition I (or higher)

3

HUS 1210: Introduction to Human Services

3
  • COH 1400: When you register, we’ll work with you to see if your work experience can count toward the on-campus course.

DSP-2 | 1 Semester

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

HUS 1350: Crisis Intervention

1

HUS 1410: Generalist Practice Skills

3

PSY 1510: General Psychology

3

COH 2010: Direct Support Professional Internship II

2

DSP-3 | 1 Semester

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

HUS 2230: Interviewing and Counseling

3

HUS 1280: Family Systems or

HUS 2250: Policy and Organization

3

ANT 2550/SOC 2550: Introduction to Dis/Ability Studies

3

COH 1020: Direct Support Professional Internship

1

Front Line Supervisor | 1 Semester

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

BUS 2580: Mgmt/Organizational Behavior

3

PSY 2540: Interpersonal/Group Dynamics

3

Direct support professional skills

Through the program, you will:

  • Demonstrate the skills necessary to advance in a career as a Direct Support Professional.
  • Demonstrate understanding of a research- and science-based approach in supporting clients.
  • Demonstrate understanding of research and science in building an empathetic approach to supporting people.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how the principles of rights, access, equity, and autonomy apply to social justice action, past, current, or future.