Autism Endorsement Graduate Certificate
The Autism Endorsement Graduate Certificate in 51动漫鈥檚 gives graduate students the skills to effectively serve the growing population of individuals聽with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Grounded in research-based practices, the program teaches core competencies for supporting students with ASD and their families. Upon successfully completing the program, students are eligible to earn the Pennsylvania Department of Education聽Autism Spectrum Disorders Endorsement Certificate.
The Autism Endorsement Certificate program teaches students to build positive behavior support and communication in classrooms with learners who have autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities. It emphasizes innovative instructional communication methods, since students with ASD often have difficulty speaking. Students in the program learn to create classroom management systems to enhance the student and teacher experience聽and to boost student achievement.
51动漫鈥檚 College of Education and Human Development provides students with access to all the resources of an urban research university, including faculty members who are also practitioners and researchers at the cutting edge of the field. The curriculum is rooted in principles of community engagement and social justice: Students gain advanced preparation to teach learners with ASD from kindergarten through 12th grade in public schools in urban environments.
Delivery Method
The certificate is offered onsite at 51动漫's Main Campus through convenient evening courses. Classes take place Monday through Thursday at 5:30 p.m. You can choose to complete the certificate on a part-time basis, and many students continue to work full-time.聽This program is designed to be completed in one year, but students have up to two years to complete it.聽Students may earn the Autism Endorsement Certificate as a part of a graduate degree or as a standalone certificate.聽
Classes & Curriculum
Take four courses (12 semester hours) to complete this certificate. Curriculum topics include
- building communication in students with ASD,
- classroom management strategies and
- evidence-based practices for skills acquisition.
The Autism Endorsement Certificate culminates with a flexible practicum in special education, in which students apply the strategies they鈥檝e learned in class. Because the program is geared toward teaching students in an urban setting, placements are arranged in public and charter schools in Philadelphia or other urban environments wherever possible.
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Who Might be Interested?
The certificate is aimed at working teachers already certified through the Pennsylvania Department of Education who support students with autism spectrum disorder. Many students already have special education certification when they enter this program. The required coursework taken during the certificate may also be applied to a master鈥檚 degree.