NYMC > School of Health Sciences and Practice (SHSP) > SHSP Academics > Certificates > Advanced Certificate in Pediatric Dysphagia

Advanced Certificate in Pediatric Dysphagia

Now Accepting Licensed Occupational Therapists

Our post-master's 15-credit Advanced Certificate in Pediatric Dysphagia is a fully online program (with an optional in-person practicum elective) designed for the currently practicing speech-language pathologists (SLP) and occupational therapists (OT). Created by master clinician experts in this specialized practice area, the program offers coursework and practica relevant to the currently practicing SLP or OT. Throughout the program, you will also learn about collaboration with other health care providers, as well as parents and families, in a team approach geared towards best-practice quality patient care. 

Eating and Drinking: A complex developmental process

For many, food and drink are a source of pleasure and socialization. Eating and drinking satisfy hunger and thirst, as well as help structure the day and allow for social interactions. For some children, eating and drinking may not be a source of pleasure. Between 25%-45%* of typically developing children demonstrate feeding and swallowing problems.  The incidence of such problems is even higher (30%-80%) for children with developmental disorders. These problems can have severe consequences, such as growth failure, malnutrition, dehydration, and increased susceptibility to chronic illness. The prevalence of these disorders is increasing due to improved survival rates of children born prematurely, with low birth weight, and with complex medical conditions.

As one of the few medically-based speech-language pathology programs in the country, we are uniquely positioned to provide Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists with the knowledge and skills they need to understand, assess, and treat these feeding and swallowing disorders in newborns, toddlers, and children. Few practicing clinicians have had the opportunity to take coursework specifically designed to address the clinical needs of this population, children with feeding/swallowing disorders. Fewer than a handful of graduate programs in the U.S. offer comprehensive coursework in dysphagia in children; fewer externship placements offer supervision to graduate students or clinical fellows in order to develop these skills. 

The curriculum provides:

  • Thorough understanding of normal swallow physiology, and the factors underlying possible physiological differences and problems
  • Protocols for assessment and treatment in pediatric populations
  • Emphasis on multiple management issues, including cultural differences, parental counseling and
  • Ethical considerations, as well as medical compromises
  • Clinical skills training focused on the development of a team-based, comprehensive treatment/management program

Registration for ASHA Continuing Education

ASHA continuing education credits are available only to those enrolled in this academic course through the Advanced Certificate in Pediatric Dysphagia Program. Only participants who successfully complete each course and receive academic credit are eligible for ASHA continuing education credit. Learn more by visiting the ASHA CEU Information page and explore the Pediatric Dysphasia program FAQs.

Application Process and Requirements

The School of Health Sciences and Practices invites Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists to apply to the Pediatric Dysphagia Certificate program. Our program is a fall-only start. Completed applications are reviewed by members of the faculty in the Division of Speech-Language Pathology. The staff from the Admissions Office is available to provide information and answer questions before and during the admissions process.

In order to be considered for the program, please submit the following:

  • Your Pediatric Dysphagia Certificate application and non-refundable application fee emailed to the SHSP Office of Admissions 
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • Personal Statement explaining why you are interested in earning an advanced certificate in pediatric dysphagia
  • Documentation of licensure and professional certification
  • International applicants who earned a degree outside the US must send credential evaluations to the Office of Admissions 

* (Arvedson, 2008; Bernard-Bonnin, 2006; Brackett, Arvedson, & Manno, 2006; Burklow, Phelps, Schultz, McConnell, & Rudolph, 1998; Lefton-Greif, 2008; Linscheid, 2006; Manikam & Perman, 2000; Rudolph & Link, 2002).

Curriculum

The Advanced Certificate in Pediatric Dysphagia requires completion of 4 courses and 1 online practicum. Option to complete an in-person second practicum is available. Completion of this 15-credit certificate requires maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or above for all coursework and practica combined.

Courses

Fall:

Spring:

Summer:

Courses are taught online, with strong faculty support throughout. Chat sessions are regularly scheduled to ensure the material is being processed appropriately. Class discussions also serve to attend to student concerns.

The course work is accompanied by the Clinical Practica 1 course which is a fully remote learning experience that focuses on increasing the knowledge/skills to work with a complex pediatric population in a variety of clinical settings through the use of remote learning modules based on real-time case examples and case review. 

Optional Additional 1 credit experience in Clinical Practica 2 is a live working experience for students to work alongside clinical educators in the assessment and/or treatment of pediatrics with feeding and swallowing challenges in a variety of settings such as Outpatient clinic, NICU and/or inpatient care. The experience is live and has the ability to be tailored in ways to the site needs and student's needs. Certain sites will only offer in-person learning while others can incorporate remote LIVE experiences. A student's work in these LIVE settings is to work with their clinical supervisors to develop their diagnostic plans, discuss clinical observations and put into practice the skills learned in their clinical writing. 

Registration

Please note the class size is limited. Registration for Fall begins in June.

Classes

Classes begin in mid-September

Contacts

SHSP Office of Admissions
(914) 594-4510

Samantha Behar
Assistant Director
SHSP Office of Admissions 
(914) 594-4693

Vikas Grover, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Division Chief
(914) 594-4449

Lindsay Murray-Keane, M.S., CCC-SLP, IBCLC
Program Coordinator
(914) 594-4239