Skip to main
College of Health and Human Sciences
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
Utility Navigation
Alumni Give Visit

Certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health

This certificate provides training on how to support families with infants and young children from a variety of backgrounds. You will gain an understanding of the factors that influence infant and early childhood mental health, and explore evidence-based approaches to assessment and intervention to encourage healthy development.

Why Earn a Certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health?

Between 10-16% of young children experience mental health conditions, yet access to trained professionals remains limited. This certificate fills this gap by preparing students to take steps to meet the growing need for infant and early childhood mental health services. With an emphasis on developmental, cultural, relational, and systemic influences, this certificate will prepare you to support a wide range of families and make a meaningful early impact.

Program Requirements

  • 9 credits in infant and child development: HDFS 310, 318, 410
  • 3 elective credits (choose 1): PSY 100 or HDFS 101, 217, 317
  • Note: a maximum of 6 credits may double-count with all concentrations in the HDFS Major, the Certificate in Disability & Neurodiversity, and the HDFS Minor. This certificate is not currently open to students majoring in Early Childhood Education.

 

Certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Classes

Certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I declare the certificate?

Please complete the online minor/certificate declaration form to declare a minor or certificate in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. It may take 5-7 business days to process your request, so check your CSU email for an email from the Registrar’s Office asking you to approve the request to declare the certificate. You must approve the request for the declaration to be processed.

You should see the minor or certificate updated in Ramweb within a week of your approval.

If you have questions about a minor or certificate, please attend weekly drop-in advising hours to talk to an HDFS advisor, or email CHHS-HDFS_advising@mail.colostate.edu.

Why can’t Early Childhood Education majors earn this certificate at this time?

The department allows a maximum of six credits to double-count across certificates, minors, and majors in the HDFS department. Currently, there are not six unique credits possible in this certificate. We intend to increase course offerings beginning Fall 2026, allowing ECE Majors to be eligible to declare the certificate as well.