CCAN Training & Capacity Building

Professional Certificate and Diploma Programs in Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience

Specialized training designed to bridge cutting-edge brain research with practical skills for education, health, and technology. Gain applied knowledge in understanding how cognitive and emotional processes shape learning, behavior, and wellbeing.

Explore Programs Contact Us

About CCAN

Dedicated to advancing skills and expertise at the intersection of psychology, neuropsychology, education, and cognitive and affective neuroscience.

Our Mission

CCAN equips researchers, educators, clinicians, and students with the knowledge and practical tools needed to address developmental, cognitive, and socio-emotional challenges in diverse contexts.

Our Approach

By integrating cutting-edge neuroscience with evidence-based practices in psychology and education, CCAN fosters interdisciplinary capacity that drives scientific discovery and translates into meaningful impact.

Our Focus

With a strong focus on African realities and global standards, CCAN's training initiatives aim to build a new generation of professionals capable of leading research, innovation, and inclusive interventions.

Our Programs

Through flexible online, blended, and in-person modules, participants will develop both theoretical foundations and hands-on competencies in key areas.

Professional Certificate

A focused program providing specialized knowledge and skills in specific areas of cognitive and affective neuroscience applications.

Learn More

Diploma Program

A comprehensive program offering in-depth training across multiple domains of cognitive and affective neuroscience.

Learn More

Specialized Workshops

Targeted short-term training sessions focusing on specific skills and techniques in neuroscience applications.

Learn More

Featured Courses

Our specialized courses are designed to provide practical knowledge and skills in key areas of child development and neuroscience.

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Exploring characteristics, development, and support strategies

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) introduces participants to the characteristics, developmental pathways, and diverse presentations of autism across the lifespan. The course explores the core features of social communication differences, restricted or repetitive behaviors, and sensory processing variations, while highlighting the strengths and challenges experienced by autistic individuals.

Participants will examine biological, cognitive, and environmental factors associated with ASD, as well as approaches to early identification, assessment, and intervention. Special emphasis is placed on inclusive practices, cultural perspectives, and community-based strategies that support learning, wellbeing, and social participation.

This course is designed for:
  • Teachers and Educators – who want to understand autism and apply inclusive practices to support learners in classrooms
  • Caregivers and Parents – seeking knowledge and practical strategies to support autistic children at home and in the community
  • Health and Allied Professionals – including psychologists, speech-language therapists, occupational therapists, pediatricians, and counselors working with autistic individuals
  • Students – in psychology, education, neuroscience, or public health aiming to gain foundational knowledge of autism spectrum disorders
  • NGO and Policy Practitioners – engaged in disability inclusion, child development, and mental health programs within schools and communities

Understanding Early Childhood Development

Foundations of physical, cognitive, language, and socio-emotional development

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the foundations of child growth and development during the early years. It explores the interconnected domains of physical development, cognitive development, language development, and social and emotional development.

This course is designed for:
  • Educators and Early Childhood Teachers
  • Caregivers and Parents
  • Health and Community Practitioners
  • Students in Psychology, Education, or Public Health
  • NGO and Policy Professionals

Understanding Developmental Disorders

Broader delays in motor, language, and general milestones

This course introduces participants to the broad range of developmental challenges that can affect children's growth in motor, language, cognitive, and social milestones. It explores conditions such as developmental coordination disorder (DCD), speech and language delays, intellectual disabilities, and global developmental delays.

This course is designed for:
  • Teachers and Special Needs Educators
  • Caregivers and Parents
  • Health Practitioners
  • Students of Psychology, Education, and Public Health
  • Community Workers and NGO Professionals

Understanding Communication Disorders

Speech, language, and social communication challenges

Understanding Communication Disorders introduces participants to the wide range of difficulties that affect speech, language, and communication across childhood and adolescence. The course examines disorders such as speech sound disorders, stuttering, language impairments, and social communication difficulties, exploring their developmental origins, cognitive underpinnings, and impact on learning, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Participants will gain insights into early signs, risk factors, and the role of assessment in identifying communication challenges, alongside strategies for effective support in educational, clinical, and community contexts. With an emphasis on culturally responsive and inclusive approaches, the course equips educators, caregivers, health professionals, and students with practical knowledge to foster communication skills, promote participation, and enhance quality of life for individuals with communication disorders.

This course is designed for:
  • Teachers and Special Needs Educators – supporting learners with speech, language, and social communication difficulties in classroom settings
  • Caregivers and Parents – who want to better understand communication challenges and learn practical ways to support their child at home
  • Health and Allied Professionals – including speech-language therapists, psychologists, pediatricians, and occupational therapists working with children and adolescents
  • Students – in psychology, linguistics, speech therapy, education, or public health interested in child communication and language development
  • NGO and Policy Practitioners – engaged in early childhood programs, disability inclusion, and child development initiatives in schools and communities

Understanding Depression

Recognizing signs and providing support

This course provides a comprehensive overview of depression, focusing on its prevalence, symptoms, and impact across different age groups and contexts. Participants will explore the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to depression, as well as evidence-based approaches to assessment, early identification, and intervention.

The course emphasizes practical, culturally sensitive strategies that can be implemented in schools, homes, and community settings to support individuals experiencing depression. Designed for educators, caregivers, health professionals, and students, this course equips participants with the knowledge and tools to recognize signs of depression, provide appropriate support, and promote mental wellbeing.

This course is designed for:
  • Teachers and Educators – who want to recognize signs of depression in students and create supportive learning environments
  • Caregivers and Parents – seeking to understand depression and how to support family members experiencing depressive symptoms
  • Health and Allied Professionals – including psychologists, counselors, social workers, and community health workers
  • Students – in psychology, education, public health, or related fields interested in mental health
  • NGO and Policy Practitioners – working in mental health, education, or community wellbeing initiatives

Understanding Mood Disorders

From bipolar to depression: causes, impacts, and interventions

This course explores the spectrum of mood disorders, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, bipolar disorders, and cyclothymia. Participants will examine the neurobiological, psychological, and environmental factors that contribute to these conditions, as well as their impact on cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, relationships, and overall quality of life.

The course covers evidence-based approaches to assessment and intervention, with emphasis on early identification, culturally responsive practices, and support strategies for diverse settings. Designed for educators, caregivers, health professionals, and students, this course provides both theoretical knowledge and practical tools to support individuals experiencing mood disorders and promote mental wellbeing.

This course is designed for:
  • Teachers and Educators – who want to understand how mood disorders affect learning and behavior in educational settings
  • Caregivers and Parents – seeking knowledge about mood disorders and strategies to support family members
  • Health and Allied Professionals – including psychologists, counselors, social workers, and community health workers
  • Students – in psychology, education, public health, or related fields interested in mental health
  • NGO and Policy Practitioners – working in mental health, education, or community wellbeing initiatives

Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing

Solution-focused capstone for this cluster

This capstone course focuses on practical, evidence-based strategies to strengthen mental health and promote wellbeing across the lifespan. Building on earlier courses on anxiety, depression, and mood disorders, it shifts the emphasis from understanding problems to developing solutions that foster resilience, emotional regulation, and social connectedness.

Participants will explore protective factors such as positive relationships, supportive school and community environments, stress management, and culturally grounded wellbeing practices. The course highlights individual, family, and community-level approaches to mental health promotion, with special attention to strategies suited for low-resource and diverse cultural contexts.

This course is designed for:
  • Teachers and Educators – seeking to create supportive classrooms that promote resilience and emotional wellbeing
  • Caregivers and Parents – who want to strengthen protective factors and foster healthy family environments
  • Health and Allied Professionals – including psychologists, counselors, nurses, community health workers, and social workers engaged in mental health promotion
  • Students – in psychology, neuroscience, education, or public health looking to apply solution-focused approaches to wellbeing
  • NGO and Policy Practitioners – working in child protection, community mental health, or inclusive education programs aiming to design and scale wellbeing interventions

Understanding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in children and adults

Understanding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) provides participants with in-depth knowledge of one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders affecting children, adolescents, and adults. The course explores the core symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, while examining their impact on learning, behavior, and social relationships.

Participants will learn about the biological, cognitive, and environmental factors underlying ADHD, as well as approaches to assessment, diagnosis, and intervention. Special emphasis is placed on culturally relevant strategies for supporting learners with ADHD in classrooms, homes, and community settings, particularly within low-resource environments. Combining theory with practical applications, the course equips educators, caregivers, health professionals, and students with the skills to foster inclusion, resilience, and positive developmental outcomes for individuals with ADHD.

This course is designed for:
  • Teachers and Educators – who want to recognize ADHD symptoms and apply inclusive strategies to support learners in the classroom
  • Caregivers and Parents – seeking to better understand ADHD and how to manage attention, behavior, and learning challenges at home
  • Health and Allied Professionals – including psychologists, pediatricians, counselors, and therapists working with children and adolescents with ADHD
  • Students – in psychology, neuroscience, education, or public health who want foundational knowledge of ADHD and its impact
  • NGO and Policy Practitioners – engaged in child development, mental health, or inclusive education programs

Understanding Anxiety Disorders

Recognizing and supporting one of the most prevalent mental health challenges

Understanding Anxiety Disorders provides an in-depth overview of one of the most prevalent mental health challenges affecting children, adolescents, and adults. The course explores the different forms of anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, separation anxiety, and phobias, highlighting their symptoms, developmental patterns, and impact on daily functioning, learning, and wellbeing.

Participants will examine biological, cognitive, and environmental factors that contribute to the onset and persistence of anxiety, as well as evidence-based strategies for assessment, early identification, and intervention. Emphasis is placed on culturally responsive and context-sensitive approaches to supporting individuals with anxiety in schools, homes, and community settings. Designed for educators, caregivers, health professionals, and students, the course equips participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical tools to foster resilience, inclusion, and positive mental health outcomes.

This course is designed for:
  • Teachers and Educators – who want to recognize signs of anxiety in learners and create supportive classroom environments
  • Caregivers and Parents – seeking to better understand childhood and adolescent anxiety and how to provide effective support at home
  • Health and Allied Professionals – including psychologists, counselors, pediatricians, nurses, and social workers involved in child and adolescent mental health
  • Students – in psychology, education, neuroscience, or public health interested in mental health and socio-emotional development
  • NGO and Policy Practitioners – working in child protection, school health programs, and community mental health initiatives

Understanding Anxiety Disorders

Recognizing anxiety and providing effective support

This course provides a comprehensive overview of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, exploring their prevalence, manifestations, and impact on learning, social functioning, and overall wellbeing. Participants will examine the biological, psychological, and environmental factors that contribute to anxiety, as well as evidence-based approaches to assessment and intervention.

The course emphasizes practical strategies that can be implemented in schools, homes, and community settings to support children and adolescents experiencing anxiety. With a focus on early identification, prevention, and culturally responsive practices, participants will gain the knowledge and tools to recognize signs of anxiety, provide appropriate support, and promote resilience in diverse contexts.

This course is designed for:
  • Teachers and Educators – who want to recognize anxiety in students and create supportive learning environments
  • Caregivers and Parents – seeking to understand childhood and adolescent anxiety and how to provide effective support at home
  • Health and Allied Professionals – including psychologists, counselors, pediatricians, nurses, and social workers involved in child and adolescent mental health
  • Students – in psychology, education, neuroscience, or public health interested in mental health and socio-emotional development
  • NGO and Policy Practitioners – working in child protection, school health programs, and community mental health initiatives

Affective Neuroscience and Mental Health

Understanding emotions, mood, and mental wellbeing

This course explores the neural basis of emotions, mood, and affective disorders, bridging neuroscience with mental health applications. Participants will examine how brain circuits and systems generate and regulate emotions, and how disruptions in these processes contribute to conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

The course highlights advances in affective neuroscience research and their implications for assessment, early identification, and intervention approaches. With a focus on translating neuroscience insights into practical applications, participants will explore how this knowledge can inform mental health promotion in diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts. Designed for educators, health professionals, researchers, and students, the course provides both theoretical foundations and practical frameworks for supporting emotional wellbeing across the lifespan.

This course is designed for:
  • Health and Allied Professionals – including psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists, and therapists seeking neuroscience perspectives on mental health
  • Educators and Trainers – interested in understanding the neural basis of emotions and their impact on learning and behavior
  • Researchers and Students – in psychology, neuroscience, mental health, or related fields looking to connect brain science with affective disorders
  • Policy and Program Developers – working in mental health, education, or public health initiatives
  • Community Practitioners – engaged in mental health promotion and support services

Applied Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience for Public Health

Bridging neuroscience and public health for community wellbeing

This course bridges neuroscience and public health by exploring how brain and behavior research can inform strategies to improve mental health, learning, and wellbeing at the community level. Participants will examine how cognitive processes such as attention, memory, and executive functioning, and affective processes such as emotion regulation and stress response, intersect with key public health issues.

The course highlights applications in areas such as child development, trauma, addiction, resilience, and digital health, with a focus on creating interventions that are scalable, culturally relevant, and suited to low-resource contexts. Through case studies and practical examples, learners will gain the tools to translate neuroscience insights into evidence-based policies, community programs, and health initiatives that promote inclusion and wellbeing. Designed for educators, health practitioners, researchers, and policymakers, this course emphasizes the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing public health outcomes.

This course is designed for:
  • Public Health Practitioners and Policymakers – seeking to integrate neuroscience insights into community and national health strategies
  • Health and Allied Professionals – including psychologists, clinicians, nurses, and community health workers engaged in mental health and wellbeing programs
  • Educators and Trainers – interested in applying neuroscience to support school health, resilience, and inclusive education
  • Students and Researchers – in psychology, neuroscience, education, or public health aiming to connect brain research with real-world health challenges
  • NGO and Community Leaders – developing grassroots initiatives that promote mental health, resilience, and wellbeing in diverse and low-resource contexts

Brain, Technology, and Digital Health

AI, VR/AR, apps, neuro-tools for low-resource contexts

This course explores how emerging technologies are transforming the ways we understand, assess, and support brain function, learning, and mental health. Participants will be introduced to the applications of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), mobile health apps, and neuro-technologies such as mobile EEG, eye-tracking, and brain–computer interfaces.

The course emphasizes how these tools can be adapted for low-resource and culturally diverse contexts, making advanced neuroscience and mental health interventions more accessible and scalable. Through case studies and practical demonstrations, participants will examine the potential of digital innovations for early screening, cognitive training, emotional wellbeing, and inclusive education. Designed for educators, health professionals, students, and researchers, the course highlights how technology can bridge gaps in healthcare and education, creating affordable, context-sensitive solutions that promote equity in child development and mental health.

This course is designed for:
  • Educators and Trainers – interested in using digital tools to enhance learning and support neurodiverse learners
  • Health and Allied Professionals – including psychologists, therapists, and clinicians seeking innovative approaches to assessment and intervention
  • Students and Researchers – in psychology, neuroscience, education, computer science, or public health looking to integrate technology with brain science
  • NGO and Community Practitioners – working in child development, digital health, or inclusive education initiatives
  • Policy and Innovation Leaders – aiming to harness emerging technologies for scalable, low-cost solutions in healthcare and education

Mental Health and Affective Disorders

Understanding behavioral disorders

This course provides an overview of common behavioral challenges in children and adolescents, focusing on conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder. Participants will examine the cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors that contribute to these disorders, as well as their impact on learning, relationships, and overall wellbeing.

The course highlights the importance of early identification, culturally sensitive assessment, and evidence-based interventions, while also addressing how family, school, and community contexts influence behavioral outcomes. Designed for educators, caregivers, health professionals, and students, the course equips participants with the knowledge and practical tools to support children and adolescents with behavioral difficulties, reduce stigma, and promote inclusion and resilience in diverse settings.

This course is designed for:
  • Teachers and Educators – who need strategies to manage and support learners with behavioral challenges in the classroom
  • Caregivers and Parents – seeking to understand and respond constructively to children showing persistent behavioral difficulties
  • Health and Allied Professionals – including psychologists, counselors, pediatricians, social workers, and therapists working in child and adolescent mental health
  • Students – in psychology, education, neuroscience, or public health aiming to build foundational knowledge of behavioral disorders
  • NGO and Policy Practitioners – engaged in child protection, school health, and community wellbeing programs

Understanding Behavioural Disorders

Causes, characteristics, and impacts of common behavioral challenges

Understanding Behavioural Disorders introduces participants to the causes, characteristics, and impacts of common behavioral challenges in children and adolescents. The course covers conditions such as ADHD, conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, and anxiety-related behaviors, while exploring how these difficulties affect learning, social relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Emphasis is placed on early identification, cultural and environmental influences, and evidence-based strategies for support in home, school, and community settings. Designed for educators, caregivers, health practitioners, and students, the course provides both theoretical foundations and practical approaches to fostering inclusion, resilience, and positive behavioral outcomes.

This course is designed for:
  • Teachers and Educators – who need strategies to manage and support learners with behavioral challenges in the classroom
  • Caregivers and Parents – seeking to understand and respond constructively to children showing persistent behavioral difficulties
  • Health and Allied Professionals – including psychologists, counselors, pediatricians, social workers, and therapists working with child and adolescent mental health
  • Students – in psychology, education, neuroscience, or public health aiming to build foundational knowledge of behavioral disorders
  • NGO and Policy Practitioners – engaged in child protection, school health, and community wellbeing programs

What Our Participants Say

Hear from professionals who have completed our training programs and applied their knowledge in real-world settings.

"The CCAN training program transformed my approach to working with children with developmental challenges. The blend of neuroscience and practical strategies has been invaluable in my classroom."

Elizabeth Amoit Andambi

Special Education Teacher

"As a pediatrician, the knowledge I gained from CCAN's courses has significantly enhanced my ability to identify early signs of developmental disorders and provide better guidance to families."

Musa Leyan Lepose

Pediatrician

"The program's focus on African contexts while maintaining global standards was exactly what I needed. I've been able to implement culturally relevant interventions in my community work."

Simmon Kamar

NGO Program

Ready to Enhance Your Expertise?

Join our upcoming cohort and gain internationally recognized credentials that enhance your expertise, career opportunities, and impact in supporting diverse populations.

Apply Now

Contact Us

Have questions about our programs? Get in touch with our team for more information.