Autism Graduate Certificate: Teaching
Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
–Online Program
About This Online Program
This Special Education graduate certificate with an emphasis in Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders is a fully online program. This certificate is focused on assessing and teaching students K–12 currently identified as having an autism spectrum disorder.
This program is designed for those with a bachelor's degree in Education or a related area, or those who work with children with autism. It will provide you with the instructional and behavior intervention strategies to better accommodate and teach those with autism spectrum disorders.
The Autism Graduate Certificate consists of four courses (12 graduate credits) that can be completed in as little as two academic terms. This online program offers the freedom to attend from anywhere. Students and professors will occasionally interact online synchronously (at the same time) via web cam in some certificate courses. You can begin the program any academic term. See the Course of Study or Get Started sections below for more information.
Improve your ability to teach students with autism in a variety of K–12 settings. As the incidence of autism spectrum disorders increases, so does the need for organizations and educators to be able to effectively teach this population of students. Contact us or apply now to advance your skills in teaching children with autism.
Contact the Academic Program Coordinator
Autism Graduate Certificate—Academic Program Coordinator
Robin Brewer, Ed.D.
robin.brewer@unco.edu
(970) 351-1661
Course of Study
This Special Education Graduate Certificate with an emphasis in Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders consists of 4 courses (12 total credit hours), which are all taken online. Students and professors will occasionally interact online synchronously (at the same time) via web cam in some certificate courses.
- EDSE 678: Strategies for Students with Autism/Significant Needs (3)
- EDSE 625: Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers (3)
- EDSE 624: Communication, Sensory, and Social Skills: Strategies for Working with Students with Autism Spectrum (3)
- EDSE 626: Instructional and Behavioral Interventions for Students on Autism Spectrum (3)
Two courses are provided each academic term (Fall, Spring and Summer) and you can begin the program in any term. For a list of courses scheduled for upcoming terms, visit the Autism Graduate Certificate Current Students page. You can finish the certificate in two terms if you take both courses offered each term, or you may spread the courses out over more terms if you desire.
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
Acceptance into the certificate program requires that you hold a bachelor's degree and meet minimum requirements for admission to the UNC Graduate School, with a GPA of 3.0 or better in your most recent 60 semester hours of college work. The School of Special Education will evaluate all eligible applicants to determine entry into the Autism certificate program. Those with a bachelor's degree in an education, therapeutic or speech-related area—or those who work with children with austims spectrum disorders—will receive strong consideration.
Eligibility by State
UNC has secured approval from almost every state, as required by new federal regulations, so that students are eligible to apply to online programs at UNC. However we are unable to accept applications at this time for our online programs from students residing in a few select states because their requirements, particularly application fees, for such approval are prohibitive. Please verify your Eligibility by State before applying.
Note: All international students residing outside of the United States are eligible to apply to our online programs. Students attending online while residing outside of the United States do not need student visas for admission.
Tuition and Financial Aid
This program is offered through the UNC Office of Extended Studies, which means a flat per-credit tuition rate for all students in the program. There are no student fees. Certain courses may carry specific course fees for additional services and materials.
Tuition rates are set each academic year (which begin each Fall semester). The tuition rate for the 2011-12 school year for this program is $430 per credit hour.
Financial Aid
Certificate program students (non-degree seeking) aren't eligible for aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Details about the federal aid program are available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Your program coordinator may be aware of your eligibility for any discipline or campus-based aid if available.
Extended Studies students may contact Nancy Gray in Financial Aid for more specific help at (970) 351-2502 or visit UNC Financial Aid website.
Students can also find information in the Guide to Federal Student Aid at studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html
Get Started
Begin Any Term
This Special Education Graduate Certificate: Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders emphasis accepts applications throughout the year, and you can begin the program in any term. For a list of courses scheduled for upcoming terms, visit the Autism Graduate Certificate Current Students page. You can contact the Academic Program Coordinator to confirm upcoming deadlines.
If graduate application deadlines have passed for the upcoming term, you may begin the certificate program before formal graduate school admission by registering for the upcoming course(s). But to receive the Special Education Graduate Certificate: Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders you must apply and be accepted to the UNC Graduate School. If you desire to register before you have been admitted by the graduate school, please contact our Student Services Coordinator at dairay.richards@unco.edu or 970-351-1799.
Once you apply to the UNC Graduate School and your application packet is complete, admission to this program is a two-stage process. Your application will be reviewed by the graduate school then sent to the faculty/program for an admission decision. A completed application typically takes four to six weeks to process.
Take the Next Step—Begin the Application Process
