Homeownership & Community Lending
Professional Certificate Program

Job Specific Certificate Opportunities

The Professional Certificate Program for Homeownership and Community Lending consists of a series of courses that together provide the specialized tools and technical skills necessary to design and implement successful homeownership initiatives. This program will enable participants to:

• Determine the components that make for successful long-term homeownership;
• Raise homeownership rates among modest-income families by removing barriers through appropriate education and financing;
• Stabilize families and communities by increasing homeownership locally; and
• Improve the quality of homeownership services provided by their agencies.

The curriculum focuses on fundamental homeownership development strategies for low- and moderate-income communities through homebuyer education, housing counseling, and community lending. The courses emphasize a hands-on approach, combining lecture with case studies, site visits, small-group exercises, and other participatory methods.

Earning a Professional Certificate

Professional Certificates in Homeownership and Community Lending will be awarded to individuals who successfully complete the five required courses (preferably in the recommended order), pass the test for each required course, if applicable, and the comprehensive exam at the end of all coursework within four years of application to the Professional Certificate Program. It is possible to complete all program requirements in as few as four institutes and, with prior approval by training division staff, candidates may receive credit for relevant courses taken no more than two years prior to enrollment in the Professional Certificate Program.

Program courses are open to all training institute participants, but in order to be eligible for the professional certificate, candidates must complete and submit an application to enroll formally in the Professional Certificate Program.

Program participants have the option of taking required course tests online rather than on paper. Learn more about online testing for Professional Certificate Program courses.

Proficiency

Participants earning their professional certificate take a combination of required and elective courses that enables candidates to:

• Design and deliver a comprehensive pre- and post-purchase homebuyer education program that supports homebuyers before, during, and after the home purchase;
• Develop an effective housing counseling program that eliminates barriers to homeownership and offers alternatives to foreclosure;
• Understand the process and regulations of mortgage lending; and
• Identify flexible loan products that meet the individual needs of their customers.