SUNY is proud to support New York State Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)! A new partnership between the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and SUNY has been established, supporting the academic and career success of DSPs across New York State as well as individuals interested in joining the profession. This limited-time grant program funds college coursework and national certification from the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP).
Direct Support Professionals, or DSPs, are dedicated professionals who help people with developmental disabilities to live independent, productive lives. DSPs not only provide assistance with someone's day-to-day needs, they serve as role models and teachers and advocate for and with those they support. SUNY has had the privilege of working with hundreds of NYS DSPs through this program and is honored to support their academic and career success and to encourage more New Yorkers to consider this vitally important field.
This is a unique but limited time grant opportunity, where current Direct Support Professionals as well as those interested in joining the field, can take college coursework and earn national certification for free.
The program is grounded in SUNY’s award-winning microcredential program, smaller academic credentials that you can complete on a part-time basis that have been aligned to national standards. Students have the opportunity to earn up to three distinct microcredentials and the related national certifications (DSP-I, DSP-II, and DSP-III).
Successful completion provides: 1) SUNY microcredential(s) and a college transcript; 2) college credit toward a certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree; and 3) one or more national certifications. Importantly, the grant fully pays for your tuition, fees, books, course materials, NADSP credentialing, and educational supports. In addition, the program offers a $750 incentive to eligible students when you successfully complete each microcredential level and related certification.
Participating SUNY campuses to date are listed below. Note that each program is a bit different, some are offered fully online, some require you to come to campus, some offer opportunities to do both. You will want to consider the size of the microcredential (how many courses) and also to which degrees the credits you earn can be applied to.
To register and for detailed information on each campus offering, please visit: https://www.suny.edu/microcredentials/programs/?dsp=y. For questions, contact: microcredentials@suny.edu.
SUNY Canton
Corning Community College
Dutchess Community College
SUNY Empire State University
Farmingdale State College
Finger Lakes Community College
Fulton Montgomery Community College
Jamestown Community College
Jefferson Community College
Mohawk Valley Community College
SUNY Morrisville
Nassau Community College
SUNY Niagara Community College
SUNY Oneonta
Onondaga Community College
Orange County Community College
North Country Community College
Rockland Community College
Schenectady County Community College
Sullivan County Community College
Tompkins Cortland Community College
Microcredentials are college credentials that can be completed in months, not years. SUNY's award-winning microcredential program brings multiple benefits:
Eleven different SUNY campuses, with administrators and faculty who understand the significant responsibilities Direct Support Professionals take on every day, have come together to offer microcredential options for New York's DSP community, in partnership with OPWDD. Options are available for those already working in the direct service field and for those interested in joining.
Each microcredential is designed to help earners meet certification standards set by the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals. Having an industry certification is a sign of excellence and recognition of your hard work and dedication. There are a series of credentials available to provide you with career pathways and options.
SUNY will be with you each step of the way! Because the microcredentials are from SUNY, you will have access to your instructor, tutoring, libraries, and other campus resources, and even the opportunity to connect with other DSPs taking microcredentials at all ten campuses.
Tuition, fees, and books will be paid for by the program. Additional resources may be available to help with other financial needs (transportation, childcare, etc.).
Microcredentials are open to all and are the perfect way to get to know the college experience. You will be part of a community working toward shared goals.