Continuing Education, Certifications, and Associations

Our learners have a number of educational opportunities to advance their careers through online continuing education both at home and at work. Our course content consists of expert-authored lessons designed specifically for the direct service workforce. The following is a listing of our university curricula partners, accredited continuing education providers that award the CE credit and organizations we collaborate with:

DirectCourse is a product of Elsevier – a world leader with more than 150 years of experience delivering the best healthcare content. Together, we’re able to deliver trusted content to improve care and support while empowering organizations with the ability to track, measure and prove knowledge and competency.

DirectCourse content is developed and reviewed by the Research and Training Center on Community Living at the University of Minnesota, leading experts in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. The College of Direct Support Editorial Board is comprised of subject matter experts who review and contribute to the development of courses to ensure that every course for direct support professionals offers leading insight and nationally recognized best practices.

Employment experts at the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston create our College of Employment courses. The ICI is a national leader in disability and employment, and runs multiple projects that keep its staff on the cutting edge of what is new in the field.

For the latest trusted research, we partner with the University of California, San Francisco. They’re recognized leaders in researching personal assistance services and how long-term services and support efforts can help people with disabilities and older adults live independently and safely within a community. That research goes into our content and training to not only improve care today, but to improve independence for tomorrow.

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DirectCourse offers Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to individuals seeking to acquire or maintain professional licenses and/or certifications. We have been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). In obtaining this accreditation, DirectCourse has demonstrated that it complies with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/IACET Standard which is recognized internationally as a standard of good practice.

The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) is a national non-profit whose mission is to elevate the status of direct support professionals. Our DirectCourse - College of Direct Support (CDS) training is fully accredited by NADSP and built around their core competencies. Contact your DirectCourse representative to learn how CDS supports NADSP’s certification programs and requirements.

The Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) is a national membership organization for trainers and educators who work in the field of employment for people with disabilities. ACRE has approved the DirectCourse – College of Employment Services (CES) curriculum as an integral part of their training process for employment professionals. The ACRE certification process allows employment professionals to document their accomplishments and education, develop professionally, and help improve industry standards. Contact your DirectCourse representative to learn how CES supports ACRE certification.

The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRC) is the world’s largest rehabilitation counseling organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. The College of Employment Services (CES) offers CRCC credits to those who have their CRC Certification. Contact your DirectCourse representative to learn more about the CRC Certification.

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The Association for Persons in Supported Employment (APSE) is a national, non-profit members organization dedicated to Employment First and the DirectCourse – College of Employment Services (CES) curriculum is built around the nationally recognized set of competencies from the APSE. Are you an APSE member? Contact your DirectCourse representative to learn about your APSE member discount and how DirectCourse supports the Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) certification and requirements.

ACCSES is an elite network of over 1,200 organizations that provide exceptional services to people with disabilities across the united states. Are you an ACCSES member? Contact your DirectCourse representative to learn about your ACCSES member discount.