Welcome to the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy's Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (APP) Certificate program website! The APP Certificate is one of the first of its kind in the United States and will inevitably provide numerous benefits for professionals, employers, and the field of adolescent reproductive health.

Being here shows not only dedication to your own professional development but commitment to providing young people with the best, proven-effective programs available. Your willingness to take on and complete the requirements of the APP Certificate will make you a leader in the field of adolescent pregnancy prevention. Below you will find additional information and answers to all your questions about the APP Certificate

Read a welcome letter from our Executive Director.

Important Dates

Begin accepting applications
Winter enrollment: August 1, 2007	Summer enrollment: February 1, 2008
Application Deadline
Winter enrollment: October 1, 2007	Summer enrollment: April 1, 2008
Acceptance Letter
4-6 weeks after application deadline
Enrollment*
Winter: January 1, 2008	Summer: July 1, 2008

*Participants will have eight (8) years from their enrollment date to complete the APP Certificate.

First things first. You asked, and we answered.

As an introduction to the APP Certificate program it may be helpful to first read through the Frequently Asked Questions document. This document will provide you with a thorough overview of the program and get you started on the journey.

Application Procedure

To apply to the APP Certificate program, participants must have at least a high school diploma and one year experience in adolescent pregnancy prevention or a related field. An advanced degree may be substituted for professional experience. The APP Certificate Application may be accessed here. Please complete the application online, print it and mail it, with the additional documentation outlined on the application, to the SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. There is a $25 non-refundable application fee that can be paid online with a credit card or via personal/organizational check or money order. Additional information about enrollment fees can be found below.

Course Requirements

The APP Certificate Program Competencies and course requirements were developed based on the 10 Competencies of Getting to Outcomes (Wandersman, et al.). Based on these competencies, 120 contact hours are required to earn an APP Certificate. 100 of these hours are earned through education and training, and the remaining 20 through a final capstone project. Please review the complete outline of APP Certificate Course Requirements.

Course Offerings

The South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy offers numerous, high-quality trainings throughout the year. To assist APP Certificate participants in planning their course timelines, a six-month Education and Training Calendar is published every January and July. Participants can then register for courses on the SC Campaign website on a first-come, first-served basis. Before registering for a course, it is the participant's responsibility to determine if it meets APP Certificate requirements.

Fees

You can now submit your application fee or enrollment fee online.

Application:	$25 (non-refundable)
Enrollment fee (due one month after acceptance into certificate program):	$225
Enrollment fee for retirees and full-time students:	$200

Please note: Successful completion of the APP Certificate requires participation in SC Campaign trainings and educational programs. Registration fees for each course vary, but range between $50 and $100 per training.

Scholarship Information

A limited number of scholarships are available for both the enrollment fee and course registration fees. Some scholarships will cover the entire cost, while others may help supplement the cost. The scholarship amount will be determined by each applicant's need. A Scholarship Application must be completed online and reviewed by the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and APP Certificate Program Committee.

Grandfathered Courses

If you have recently taken courses identified as certificate courses, you may be able to apply up to 20 of those contact hours toward the required 120 contact hours. Courses must meet the following criteria to qualify: 1) the courses were taken after January 1, 2006; 2) the courses meet requirements determined by the APP Certificate Application Review Committee; and 3) documentation of full attendance is provided. NOTE: The opportunity to grandfather a course is only available during the first year of the APP Certificate Program. After the April 2008 deadline, the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and APP Certificate Program Committee will no longer accept previously taken courses. Enrollees must complete a Grandfathered Course Request Form online.

Credit for courses from other agencies

After enrollment in the APP Certificate Program and with prior approval, up to 22 contact hours from University of South Carolina-sponsored trainings may be applied towards the required 120 contact hours. The remaining 78 contact hours from required content courses and 20 contact hours from the capstone project must come from the SC Campaign. Trainings from other agencies or universities, including coursework, may not be applied for APP Certificate credit.

Still need more information?

If you have questions about enrollment into the APP Certificate Program or would like an information packet mailed to you, please contact Erin Johnson -- appcertificate@teenpregnancysc.org -- at the SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.