Online Graduate Certificate Programs in Autism Spectrum Disorders / Autism Studies
Autism Spectrum Disorders, or ASD, is a category of medical diagnosis describing complex developmental condition that affects social interactions, interpersonal communication, and behavioral regulation. As the name implies, ASD is diagnosed on a spectrum, with the most severely impacted exhibiting social disconnectedness, repetitive behaviors, and speech and nonverbal communication deficits that severely inhibit their ability to participate in traditional classroom learning. In less severe cases, individuals with an ASD diagnosis are able to function at a relatively high level in classrooms, but nonetheless require support from educators trained in autism studies to develop communication skills and participate more fully in formal learning environments.
Graduate certificate programs in ASD or autism studies are one way for educators who already hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree to receive academic training in theories of ASD and their practical application in academic and vocational instruction and support. Graduate certificate programs are typically offered by colleges and universities that also offer master’s programs in ASD or special education, and students pursuing a graduate certificate earn graduate credits that can often be used towards a master’s degree if they choose to continue their education after completing a program.
What is a Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder?
A graduate certificate in ASD/autism studies is an academic credential offered by a regionally-accredited college or university, typically through a school or division of education, psychology, or professional studies. These programs consist of a cluster of courses, typically three, four, or five courses, in which students study theories of ASD, its indications and symptoms, and the types of learning strategies that can help individuals with ASD improve skills in areas such as social and communication skills, cognitive function, and emotional regulation.
Most autism studies certificate programs offer a curriculum aligned with ASD standards administered by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). This includes proficiencies in assessment and evaluation, instructional program design, and the application of evidence-based practices based on current research to help autistic learners and their families with the challenges of living with ASD. ASD graduate certificate programs may be accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) or the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
Online Graduate Certificate Programs in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Online graduate certificate programs in ASD provide professional academic training in assessing and developing academic and vocational instruction for children and adults with ASD. These programs give college graduates a pathway to earning an academic credential in autism studies from an accredited college or university without having the commute to in-person, campus-based classes. These programs are designed for teachers, administrators, counselors, and other professionals who have already earned their bachelor’s degree and are interested in teaching, supporting, or otherwise serving individuals with ASD.
Students in an online graduate certificate program receive all or most of their didactic instruction via learning management systems (LMSs). These web-based instructional platforms support the streaming of live lectures and virtual classes, as well as pre-recorded sessions and modules. Course materials and resources are also typically delivered via an LMS, which can also host discussion boards and other collaborative activities. This allows online programs to provide a more convenient and flexible alternative to campus-based programs while offering online students the same curriculum and learning experiences as on-campus students.
Graduates of these programs may be qualified to teach ASD students in public and private schools or to work as ASD specialists in various other settings, depending on whether or not they are already licensed to teach. Public school teachers, counselors, social workers, and physical therapists who want to work in the ASD field commonly receive training in graduate certificate programs, as these programs consist of a relatively small cluster of courses that provide career-focused training in ASD. Bachelor’s program graduates with degrees in education, psychology, or social work can also receive career-based training in ASD through online graduate certificate programs in ASD or autism studies.
How OnlineEducation.com Identifies and Classifies Online Graduate Certificates in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Graduate certificate programs in ASD are commonly offered through a school or division of education, psychology, or professional studies at a college or university. OnlineEducation.com researches graduate certificates in order to identify programs that are offered fully or mostly online by accredited, nonprofit institutions of higher education. ASD graduate certificate programs must offer a cluster of courses geared toward preparing college graduates for the practical application of ASD assessment and education. Common designations for these programs include:
- Autism and Significant Support Needs Graduate Certificate
- Autism and Neurodiverse Learners Graduate Certificate
- Certificate of Graduate Studies in Autism
- Graduate Certificate for Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Educating Individuals with Autism
Programs requiring more than two campus visits per year are classified as hybrid programs and are not listed on the site. However, ASD training may require site-based practicum hours and/or field experiences apart from campus visits that must be completed in-person. It is important to note that there are two distinct types of programs that confer graduate certificates. Post-baccalaureate programs require students to hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Post-master’s programs, in contrast, are designed for students who already hold a graduate degree, typically in a related field such as education, counseling or psychology.
What Students Learn in Online Graduate Certificate Programs in ASD
While curricular details vary by program, ASD graduate certificate programs typically provide training and instruction in ASD diagnosis and assessment, behavioral intervention strategies, and evidence-based practices for creating programs that address communication, learning, and developmental issues related to ASD. Students in these programs also learn to use assessments to modify program design and to employ various techniques, including formal, functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and informal methods for assessing comprehension, communication, mental health, behavioral issues, and motivation.
Another central topic in autism studies concerns common characteristics of individuals with ASD. The disorder, or spectrum of disorders, is not a one-size-fits-all diagnoses. Individuals may have Level 1 ASD and need support for organization, planning, and social interaction. Level 2 ASD individuals require more support and exhibit more noticeable signs of social and behavioral deficits, including difficulty with verbal communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Finally, Level 3 ASD is the most severe diagnosis and requires the most support.
Common Courses in Online Graduate Certificate Programs in ASD
The table below provides an overview of coursework commonly offered by graduate certificate programs in ASD. The courses and descriptions are drawn from actual online programs. As noted above, most graduate certificate programs require between three and five courses.
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorder | An overview of the ASD diagnosis with a focus on understanding the disorder and how it affects people’s lives and learning abilities, as well as an overview of the history, current literature, and best practices for addressing ASD. |
| Measurement, Data Display, Interpretation, and Experimental Design | An examination of evidence-based approaches to addressing ASD for teachers, interventionists, and other professionals involved in a care team, and an exploration of processes for selecting, testing, and assessing evidence-based interventions. |
| Behavioral Interventions and Positive Behavior Supports | A study of functional behavior assessment (FBA) and behavioral intervention planning (BIP) used in PreK-12 classroom settings for students with ASD or related disabilities. Students learn to use assessment skills to produce data-driven modifications in the learning environment and use consequence strategies and pro-social replacement behaviors to facilitate positive outcomes. |
| Verbal Behavior | Explores the characteristics and basic principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA); covers the fundamental components of behavior change such as modeling, shaping, reinforcement schedules, chaining, and other behavioral change methods; and provides an overview of the design and delivery of social skills interventions with special needs students in an inclusive classroom setting. |
| Proactive Behavior Management | Explores and corrects misconception and preconceived notions related to ASD and provides strategies for evidence-based behavioral management with a focus on instilling proper emotional regulation, perspective-taking, and executive functioning. Students also learn the scientific basis for ASD diagnosis, including factors related to behavior and brain function, emotional regulation development, and sensory systems deficits. |
| Methods for Learners with Higher-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder | Strategies for working with high-functioning ASD individuals, including teaching practices and methods, how to manage and promote social skills and social communication development, and proactive social interactions. |
| Communication, Assessment, and Intervention for Learners with ASD | Provides an overview of the characteristics of communication used by ASD individuals; explores current assessment tools and methods related to communication; covers the development of social communication skills in autistic individuals, communication assessment tools (formal and informal), autistic communicative functioning, non-verbal cues, play skills, and social communication. Students learn to use assessment results to identify individual needs and develop language intervention plans. |
| Application of Instructional Strategies for Neurodiverse Learners | Applying evidence-based practices to creating comprehensive educational programming for students with ASD and for neurodiverse learners; covers the entire process, including assessment, the use of assessment data to identify functional performance levels, the creation of measurable goals and objectives, the identification of useful instructional methods, and the design of effective monitoring systems for measuring student progress. |
| Autism Practicum Project | An applied project requiring one-on-one contact with one or more autistic students. Participants conduct academic and behavioral assessments, analyze the results, write a report on each assessment completed, develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP), and implement a four-week instructional program. |
| Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Neurodiverse Learners | Examines mental health coexistent in neurodiverse learners and the effect of mental health issues on learning and communication; covers collaboration between teachers, team members, mental health professionals, and families to promote successful learning strategies; promotes an empathetic approach to the mental health needs of autistic and other neurodiverse learners; and includes observation hours in an applicable school setting. |
Admissions to Online Graduate Certificates in ASD and Autism Studies
Online graduate certificate programs require applicants to hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, although some programs may also require a master’s degree (these may or may not be referred to as post-graduate certificate programs). Programs may also have a minimum GPA requirement, typically 3.0 or higher on a four-point scale. A subset of ASD graduate certificate programs are designed for current teachers and require applicants to be licensed or certified at the state level and have one year or more years of professional teaching experience.
In addition to academic transcripts, applicants may be required to submit a resume or CV, a personal statement, and two or three letters of recommendation. The GRE is often not required or is optional for students who have taken the exam and think it will help to strengthen their application.
Online Graduate Certificates in ASD Format Options
Online graduate certificate programs are designed to offer working professionals and adult learners the flexibility and convenience required to earn an academic credential while holding a job outside of school. However, not all online programs are the same. Outlined below are structural and instructional variables that students should consider as they explore online certificate programs. These variables include instructional methods, enrollment options, and campus visit requirements.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction: There are two primary modes for online instruction. Synchronous instruction takes place in real time and typically includes live, weekly online classes (using video conferencing software) that students are expected to attend virtually at specific times. In contrast, asynchronous instruction encompasses a broad range of instruction that does not have a real-time component, such as pre-recorded lectures and interactive learning modules, online discussion forums, written assignments, and fieldwork.
The advantage of synchronous instruction is that the learning experience more closely resembles campus-based classes in terms of structure and the ability for students to ask questions in real-time. While asynchronous instruction offers a greater degree of scheduling flexibility as students are not required to be online at specific times each week, it typically requires more self-motivation to stay ahead of course materials in the absence of weekly scheduled lectures.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Enrollment: Most ASD graduate certificate programs have a part-time enrollment option to accommodate students who work full-time. Students enrolled on a part-time basis commonly take one or two courses per semester and have time to work any required field experiences into their schedules while completing the program. The time to completion for part-time students in these programs is typically 12 to 18 months. Programs with a full-time enrollment option can usually be completed in six to 12 months but require students to carry a more substantial course load. Taking three or four courses per semester is common for full-time students in an ASD graduate certificate program.
Campus Visits: While most graduate certificate programs in autism spectrum disorders typically do not require any campus visits, some online programs expect students to attend one or two campus-based sessions as part of the required curriculum. The campus visits are in addition to supervised, site-based field experiences and generally take place on the main campus or a satellite campus of the school offering the program. Campus-based sessions can be a useful addition to an online program, enriching the learning experience with hands-on labs and face-to-face discussions. However, travel to a school’s campus adds expense to a program’s cost and may not be convenient for all students.