Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders
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There is a critical state, regional, and national need for training programs for professionals who teach and provide medical and social services for children with ASD and related disabilities. First, the number of students with the ASD label is growing each year. Second, there is a large research-to-practice gap with respect to applying Best Practices to school programs for children with ASD. These students’ educational programs are often segregated and rely on a strict behavioral control “curriculum,” leading to poorer post-school outcomes than those of other students with disabilities. Third, there is a critical, national shortage of special education teachers and related service providers in low-incidence disability areas such as ASD (U.S. Department of Education, 2000). And finally, there are few personnel preparation programs nationally that focus on ASD.
About the Program
Coursework
The coursework for the Graduate Certificate consists of 19-23 credits from the following required and elective course offerings. Highly qualified individuals may petition for permission to waive a required course. Applicants are urged to schedule an appointment with the program coordinators to develop their individualized course of study. Applications for Graduate Certificates are available through the Graduate School.
Required Courses (4 courses)
Four courses will be required in the Graduate Certificate program representing foundations in etiology, diagnosis, communication, behavior, learning, social relationships, and educational models.
EDUC 857: Contemporary Issues in Autism Spectrum Disorders (a 4-credit course offered in conjunction with the Institute on Disability’s Autism Summer Institute dealing with a different issue each year such as literacy, behavior, communication, social relationships)
EDUC 897b: Critical Issues in Autism Spectrum Disorders (another 3-credit course offered in conjunction with the Autism Summer Institute)
HHS 898: Medical Aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorders (2 credits addressing etiology, medical, and pharmacological interventions)
COMM 920A: Seminar in Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits addressing etiology, diagnosis, models of service delivery, communication, positive behavior supports)
Elective Courses (3 courses)
Three elective courses will be required in the Graduate Certificate program representing advanced study in a topic area introduced in the required courses.
EDUC 857 – Contemporary Issues in ASD (3 credits)
EDUC 855 – Social Relationships and Students w/ Disabilities (2 credits)
EDUC 956 – Positive Behavior Supports (4 credits)
COMM 914 – Seminar in Augmentative/Alternative Communication (3 credits)
Additional courses may be added in the elective category as they are developed and approved by the appropriate departments.
Representative Course Sequence
A representative course sequence for students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate program is:
Year 1
EDUC 857 – Contemporary Issues in ASD – fall
COMM 914: Seminar in Autism Spectrum Disorders - fall
HHS 898: Medical Aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorders – spring
Year 2
EDUC 857 – Contemporary Issues in ASD – fall
Elective - spring
Elective - spring
Elective - spring
Program Administration
Dr. Georgia Kerns (Education Department) coordinates the Graduate Certificate Program, with assistance from Dr. Cheryl Jorgensen (Institute on Disability).
Contact Dr. Kerns for admissions and other administrative information, 603-862-3446.
Contact Dr. Jorgensen for program content information, 603-862-4678.