Transition Leadership

UMaine’s Graduate certificate in transition leadership focuses on the transition from high school to adult life for young people with a wide range of disabilities. It is designed for teachers and those seeking coursework in Rehabilitation Counseling, School Guidance, School Adjustment Counseling and related services staff, or School Social Work seeking work with special populations.

Students will gain the skills necessary to focus on employment, college preparation, and independent living skills for students with disabilities, ages 14-22, as well as the leadership skills needed to help influence state and national policy around transition and disability. Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to excel in the roll of a transition specialist, and find employment in secondary schools, transition programs, and college programs that support transition-aged students with disabilities.

While in school, students have the right to a coordinated plan of services, a relatively consistent team of service providers, a place to go every day to study, learn, and grow where they feel they belong. Data gathered by the Maine LD924 Legislative Task Force indicates that after leaving school, these same individuals and their families/caregivers see a significant decrease in person-centered, integrated, formal systems of support, as well as mentoring opportunities once their formal educational opportunities ended. In short, they have no path to “what’s next.”

Another recommendation of this task force was for actions to be taken to support a comprehensive workforce development system to attract, develop, and retain professionals who support individuals with Autism, Intellectual Disabilities, Developmental Delays, Acquired Brain Injury, and similar conditions with associated intellectual disability. The Graduate Certificate of Transition Leadership will do this by preparing transition professionals with the skills necessary to focus on employment, college preparation, and independent living skills for students with disabilities, ages 14-22, as well as the leadership skills needed to help influence state and national policy around transition and disability.