Autism Studies Graduate Certificate

Requirements

Required Courses
A. Special Education Concentration I: 9 hours ¹
SPEC ED 6415	Disability Law and Policy	3
SPEC ED 6437	Applied Behavior Analysis: Functional Assessment and Interventions	3
ED PSY 6545	Consultation in Schools and Related Settings	3
B. Autism and Developmental Disabilities Concentration II: 9 hours
SPEC ED 6430	Characteristics and Education of Individuals with Low-Incidence Disabilities	3
SPEC ED 6610	Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Research to Practice	3
SPEC ED 6620	Assessment and Interventions for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder	3

¹: The first three courses in the autism certificate are the same as those in the M.Ed. Special Education Concentration I.

Total Hours: Minimum 18 credit hours

The mission of the certificate program is:

To improve current preparation of teachers and related educational practitioners in the greater St. Louis area with dedicated coursework that increases program participants’ understanding and skills necessary to providing comprehensive and holistic programming (in areas of academic, social, functional, and life skills) that addresses the unique characteristics of individuals with Autism.
To provide contemporary, best practices-based preparation of professionals who specialize in the treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and/or who work collaboratively with school personnel to recognize and follow the ASD profile that best educates the students
To gain greater understanding of challenges faced by families of individuals with ASD
To prepare personnel to educate and support individuals with ASD, which includes autism, Asperger Syndrome, and other pervasive developmental disorders
To address the complex needs of students with ASD, including those who require intensive and highly individualized programs, to those who require less intensive modifications to succeed in their educational, functional, and life goals
To increase the current body of scholarly and applied knowledge pertaining to the science and practice in areas of cognitive disability studies.