Empire State University, in partnership with the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and SUNY, offers three micro credentials to support the academic success and career pathway for Direct Support Professionals (DSP). The DSP-1, DSP-2, and DSP-3 micro credentials are designed to meet the standards of the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) and lead toward DSP certification.

Successful completion of one or more of the DSP micro credentials at Empire State University leads to: national certification at the DSP-1 , 2, or 3 level(s) by NADSP, a SUNY micro credential, college credit towards an associate or bachelor’s degree, and a range of career pathways and options.

Enrollment

Current Empire State University students may enroll as they would any other SUNY Empire undergraduate course using MySUNYEmpire.
Non-SUNY Empire students may enroll in the course by following the steps to apply to the university.

Program Contact

Desalyn De-Souza, PhD
Dean, School of Human Services
Email questions about the micro credential and/or grant funding opportunities to Desalyn.De-Souza@sunyempire.edu

Program Details

The three DSP micro credentials listed below consist of the following required courses:

Direct Support Professionals – 1

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
DISB 1010	Direct Support Professional Course 1	4

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS – 2

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
DISB 2030	Direct Support Professional Course 2 – Individual	4
DISB 2035	Direct Support Professional Course 2 - Community	4

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS – 3

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
DISB 2040	Direct Support Professional Course 3	4

Learning Outcomes

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS – 1

• The student will be able to explain the Code of Ethics
• The student will be able to describe ways to monitor crisis situations
• The student will be able to identify support programs and interventions appropriate to the individual being served
• The student will be able to identify person centered planning techniques and assists individuals in developing person centered plans.
• The student will be able to employ appropriate actions to promote healthy living
• The student will be able to identify adaptive equipment and therapies utilized by the individual
• The student will be able to identify the individual health and medical treatments of diverse clients
• The student will be able to identify different types of health care decisions and the rights of individuals to make their own health care decision

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS – 2

• The student will be able to apply concepts of person centered supports when working with individuals and their families.
• The student will be able to advocate for individuals and their families for services, resources, and treatments within the home and in the community.
• The student will be able to assess individuals for their social, physical health, mental health, and employment needs.
• The student will be able to explain the current standards of documentation.
• The student will be able to define modes of communication that are appropriate to the communication needs of participants.