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This certificate program is designed for student interested in a variety of entry level positions in the field of Human Services and specifically services for those living with disabilities — including developmental, psychological and physical disabilities. Many of our former students now work in nursing homes, developmental centers, group homes for the mentally challenged, outpatient clinics, etc.
We continually make adjustments/changes to this program to make it as relevant as possible to a wide number of human services settings.
Many of our certificate graduates enroll in our Human Services AAS or Human Services AA degrees.
Career information and opportunities
Direct Support & Rehabilitation Studies Certificate
SUNY Niagara’s Direct Support & Rehabilitation Studies Certificate prepares you for entry-level human services jobs supporting people with developmental, psychological or physical disabilities. You’ll gain internship experience before you graduate.
Last updated: Oct. 22, 2026
What careers does this certificate lead to?
Some of these careers, such as counselor and social worker, need more education after your certificate.
What will I learn to do?
What is the job outlook in Western New York?
Across all jobs in Western New York, employment is expected to grow about 9%. All of these jobs are expected to grow much faster than that.
Western New York includes Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties.
Where do direct support professionals work?
Many SUNY Niagara students have worked in these settings. Your internships take place in settings like these too.
How do I get there?
Many graduates go on to SUNY Niagara’s Human Services A.A.S. or A.A. degrees.
Which courses prepare me?
Tracks:
Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified.
The Direct Support Professional Certificate program at SUNY Niagara is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State.
Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that Direct Support Professional Certificate program at SUNY Niagara, if successfully completed, is sufficient to meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the following U.S. States:
New York – https://opwdd.ny.gov/career-opportunities/direct-support
It is important to note that SUNY Niagara is not the licensure/certification authority in these U.S. States and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in these U.S. States and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.