Developmental Disabilities Specialist
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Developmental Disabilities Specialist is designed for students interested in working in various settings serving children or adults with developmental disabilities. The coursework combines theory and application. Academic preparation focuses on the physical and emotional correlates of developmental disability. The students also complete an internship, gaining experience working in a school or agency supporting persons with developmental disability.
Details
Field of Interest
Behavioral Science and Human Services
Academic Plan Code
5034
Total credits required
16 - 17
Catalog Year
2026 - 2027
What You'll Learn
- Describe the physiological, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive processes associated with human behavior.
- Describe techniques to modify human behavior, with a focus on the behavior of persons with various developmental disabilities.
- Describe the physical, intellectual, social, and psychological aspects of various developmental disabilities.
- Describe current research in the area of cause, treatment approach and service delivery which impact individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Describe various community resources available to individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Demonstrate the ability to interact appropriately in a setting providing services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities.
Career Statistics
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Social and Human Service Assistants
$39,460
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| RE | Restricted Elective | 3–4 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFS205 or PSY240 or PSY266 |
Human Development or Developmental Psychology or Psychological Disorders | SB, SCB or SB, SCB or SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| EDU222 or EED222 or PSY243 |
Introduction to the Exceptional Learner or Introduction to the Exceptional Young Child: Birth to Age Eight or The Psychology of Developmental Disabilities | C, SB, SCB or C, SB, SCB or SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| PSY241 | Understanding and Changing Behavior | SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| PSY244 | Internship in Psychology | 1 |
Restricted Electives
Complete one (1) of the courses listed below. Restricted electives must be different from those taken for other course requirements.
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL101 | American Sign Language I | 4 | |||
| BHS170 | Case Management and Clinical Documentation | 3 | |||
| BHS175 | Trauma-Informed Care and Recovery Treatment | SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| BHS180 | Child, Family, and Adult Advocacy | 3 | |||
| BHS275 | Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health | 3 | |||
| CFS112 | Personal Growth and Family Relations | SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| CFS/ECH176 | Child Development | SB | 3 | ||
| CFS205 | Human Development | SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| CFS235 | Developing Child: Theory into Practice, Prenatal to Age Eight | SB | 3 | ||
| COM110 | Interpersonal Communication | SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| FON100 | Introductory Nutrition | 3 | |||
| PSY240 | Developmental Psychology | SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| PSY266 | Psychological Disorders | SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| SPA115 | Beginning Spanish Conversation I | 3 | |||
| SWU171 | Introduction to Social Work | H, SB, SCB | 3 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| RE | Restricted Elective | 3–4 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDU222 or EED222 or PSY243 |
Introduction to the Exceptional Learner or Introduction to the Exceptional Young Child: Birth to Age Eight or The Psychology of Developmental Disabilities | C, SB, SCB or C, SB, SCB or SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| PSY241 | Understanding and Changing Behavior | SB, SCB | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFS205 or PSY240 or PSY266 |
Human Development or Developmental Psychology or Psychological Disorders | SB, SCB or SB, SCB or SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| PSY244 | Internship in Psychology | 1 |
Restricted Electives
Complete one (1) of the courses listed below. Restricted electives must be different from those taken for other course requirements.
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL101 | American Sign Language I | 4 | |||
| BHS170 | Case Management and Clinical Documentation | 3 | |||
| BHS175 | Trauma-Informed Care and Recovery Treatment | SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| BHS180 | Child, Family, and Adult Advocacy | 3 | |||
| BHS275 | Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health | 3 | |||
| CFS112 | Personal Growth and Family Relations | SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| CFS/ECH176 | Child Development | SB | 3 | ||
| CFS205 | Human Development | SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| CFS235 | Developing Child: Theory into Practice, Prenatal to Age Eight | SB | 3 | ||
| COM110 | Interpersonal Communication | SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| FON100 | Introductory Nutrition | 3 | |||
| PSY240 | Developmental Psychology | SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| PSY266 | Psychological Disorders | SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| SPA115 | Beginning Spanish Conversation I | 3 | |||
| SWU171 | Introduction to Social Work | H, SB, SCB | 3 |
Course Area Key
- C = Cultural Diversity in the US
- H = Historical Awareness
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SCB = Social and Behavioral Sciences
Official Curriculum Documentation
View catalog page
Catalog page: https://gccaz.catalog.maricopa.edu/programs/5034-GCC02
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses in the program.
All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Developmental Disabilities Specialist