Admissions | Infant/Toddler Mental Health

The graduate certificate in Infant/Toddler Mental Health is designed for professionals working with families with children from the prenatal period to 36 months of age. The program provides training through a relationship-based approach and interdisciplinary and inter-professional early childhood community integration to promote mental health for infants, toddlers, and their families.

Admissions Timeline
Application Opens	September 1
Final Application Deadline	August 15
Final Application Materials Due*	August 29
Program Start	Fall

Additional Timeline Information:

*Recommendations can sometimes take longer to arrive. You can submit your application before these have arrived. This deadline is to allow a short grace period for your recommendations to arrive, if necessary.

After submission, your application will be reviewed by staff and faculty. We make every effort to communicate admissions decisions within three to four weeks.
Applications are reviewed as they are received and will close once the cohort is full.

Technical requirements

As a fully online program, there are certain technical requirements to complete these courses. You will need:

Proficiency using a computer and common computer software (such as web browsers, word processors, spreadsheet applications, and media players). These skills should be obtained prior to registering for an online course. You may do this by taking an Introduction to Computers class at Portland State University or some other institution or by asking a friend or family member who is familiar with computers to help you learn these skills.
To use PSU email and the myPSU systems. PSU Odin account information will be provided once you submit your completed application.
Unrestricted access to a personal computer (Windows or Mac)
Access to Microsoft Office Suite or other comparable word processing software, such as Libre Office or Open Office. Google Docs alone will not be adequate for this program.
Reliable connection to the Internet (high-speed highly recommended)
Current version of a web browser installed on the computer

Tuition

The cost for the program follows Restricted Differential tuition rates.

Required Application Materials

Below is the list of the materials and information you will need to provide as part of your online application. We recommend preparing these materials in advance of submitting your application.

Unofficial Transcripts: from your bachelor’s degree-granting institution and from any institution at which you have earned graduate-level credit
English Language Proficiency: Automatically assessed in your application materials. Learn more about your options for proving proficiency.
Résumé.
Statement of Purpose.
- Please answer the following question in no more than 500 words: Our ideal student embodies the disposition to engage in interdisciplinary approaches that support the social and emotional development of infants and young children within their biological, relational, and cultural contexts. Please share specific experiences working with infants and young children that demonstrate how you reflect these values and meet the dispositional expectations of the program.
- Additionally, please answer the following questions in a total of 750 words or less. We recommend you provide examples when appropriate. Your answers should reflect how your background, beliefs, and experiences have prepared you for this program.
  - What are your main personal and professional reasons/goals for applying to the program and specialization in this application?
  - Share two experiences working with infants, toddlers, or young children (ages 0–5) that reflect your values, strengths, and aspirations. How did these experiences shape your approach to early relational health or trauma-informed care?
  - Describe how you approach equity and inclusion in your work with infants, toddlers, and families. How do you center culture, language, or identity in your practice or community setting?
  - Describe a specific time when your thinking or practice changed because of what you learned from a child, family, or caregiving relationship. How did this influence your work?
  - What do you see as your strengths and challenges in being a learner in an online graduate program? Beyond the flexibility this format offers, how do you plan to stay engaged in a relationship-based, reflective learning community?
  - This program emphasizes reflective practice and interdisciplinary collaboration (across health, education, home visiting, mental health, etc.). How have you experienced or contributed to cross-sector collaboration? What role do reflection and relationships play in your professional growth?
Recommendations: Submit contact information for at least two references via the application. Portland State University will contact your references and provide them with instructions for submitting recommendation forms.

Admissions Review Process

We review your application for the following:

Academic Requirements: Via your transcripts, we assess whether you meet the university’s minimum admissions requirements.
Experience: We look for applicants with at least one year of professional or volunteer experience working with children ages 0–3 and their families in one or more of the following sectors:
- Early care and education
- Early intervention and early childhood special education
- Inclusive early childhood education
- Health, Mental Health, or Nutrition
- Family Supports
Résumé: We use your résumé to evaluate your relevant work and/or volunteer experiences in early childhood education and care setting(s) and how these experiences align with your goals in pursuing this graduate certificate.
Statement of Purpose: Your statement of purpose will be evaluated based on its content, your responses to the prompt questions, and your writing style and proficiency. Please restrict your essay to a maximum of 750 words.
Two Recommendations: If possible, at least one of these should come from someone who has seen you work with young children. Your references will submit a questionnaire that you send them via the application portal.

Ready to apply?

Review PSU Graduate School Minimum Admissions Requirements.
Create an account or sign into the Portland State University Admissions Application system.
Select "Start New Application"
Then select "Graduate Application"
For the college, select "College of Education"
For the program of study, select "Infant/Toddler Mental Health, Certificate"
Select the term you plan to start the program

Questions? Contact Tatiana!