Program Description
This graduate certificate prepares students to meet the educational needs of learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Students will be taught the characteristics of ASD, how to assess ASD learner needs, and how to identify social and communication profiles of ASD learners. The certificate will equip students to teach educational strategies which benefit ASD learners.
Increasing numbers of those identified with ASD require the skills and expertise of trained professionals. UAH's online/hybrid ASD Graduate Certificate is a non-licensure program designed for teachers and human service agency staff to acquire these skills and expertise. This Graduate Certificate meets the Professional Content Standards of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and, offers students the opportunity to pursue graduate-level education through the flexibility of online/hybrid learning from UAH faculty and ASD professionals.
The ASD Graduate Certificate is ideal for educators, interventionists, psychologists, pathologists, behavior analysts, and family members who want to enhance their preparation for working with children and adults who have ASD. Teacher certification is not a requirement for admission to this program.
This program does NOT lead to a ALSDE Teaching Certificate.
Program completers will be prepared to:
- Work as public school teachers in a broad range of educational settings, including the general education classroom and special education programs
- Work as human service agency personnel implementing research-validated intervention strategies for children, youth and adults in community agencies
- Implement research-validated instruction/intervention strategies for children, youth and young adults with autism spectrum disorders
- Assess the effectiveness of individualized instruction/intervention programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorders
This 15-credit graduate certificate program consists of five classes. The graduate certificate can be completed as a stand-alone certificate, or a maximum of 12 semester hours (four credits) can be applied toward the degree requirements for a Master of Education (M.Ed.).
Admission Requirements
The items listed below are required for admission to this program; only complete files are reviewed.
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution
- GPA of 3.000, or at least 3.000 for the last 30 semester credits of graded course work
- Complete a Graduate School Application indicating Graduate Certificate for ASD
Requirements
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDC 636 | INTRODUCTION TO STUDENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS | 3 |
| EDC 645 | ASSESSMENT AND BEHAVIORAL APPLICATIONS IN ASD | 3 |
| EDC 655 | COLLABORATION AND TRANSITION PLANNING | 3 |
| EDC 625 | ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR EDUCATING INDIVIDUALS WITH ASD | 3 |
| EDC 660 | PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF VISUAL INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |