Autism Graduate Certificate Program (ED)
An inter-disciplinary program offered through:
Communication Sciences A216 Education Building |
Educational Leadership and Community Psychology B210 Education Building |
Special Education
|
Department Chairperson: Dr. Mary Beth Noll
Department Secretary: Ms. Kathy Meyer
Graduate Coordinators: Dr. Mary Beth Noll
Graduate Faculty: Edrisinha, Estrem, Noll
Autism Certificate Program
Program Overview
The purpose of the Autism Certificate Program is to provide advanced, specialized training for individuals who work with K-12 pupils with autism spectrum disorders. Although this program does not lead to licensure, it enhances the knowledge and skills of undergraduate or graduate students who are employed in public school and clinical settings.
The Autism Certificate Program is offered through the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in the College of Fine Arts and Humanities and the Departments of Educational Leadership and Community Psychology and Special Education in the College of Education.
Key Features
- An autism certicate provides advanced professional educational opportunities.
- Participation in the courses creates opportunities to develop professional networks.
- The three core-courses are offered consecutively during the summer. Each course consists of six full-day sessions scheduled over a two- or three-week period, which enables students to complete the certifcate during one summer.
- Courses must be taken in sequential order. Although it is recommended that the courses be taken during one summer, students do have the option of taking one or two classes and completing the certificate during a subsequent summer.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Autism Certificate program, applicants must:
- Have completed a baccalaureate degree.
- Hold prefessional licensure in special education, speech-language pathology, behavior analysis, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or related areas.
- Apply for admission to the Autism Graduate Certificate Program through the School of Graduate Studies.
- Submit a non-refundable application fee of $35 made out to SCSU.
- Submit an official undergraduate transcript (s) showing completion of a baccalaureate degree. If your degree was received from SCSU, or if you already admitted to a master's degree progarm at SCSU, a transcript is not necessary.
- Provide a one to two paragraph statement of interest in the program and your objectives in pursuing a graduate certificate in autism.
- Students accepted into the program will be notified to schedule an admission interview with Dr. Mary Beth Noll in the Department of Special Education.
Admission Deadlines Specific to the Certificate Program
In order to obtain the certificate at the end of the summer sessions, it is recommended that students apply for admission by March 15.
Program Approval
Once admitted to the autisim certificate program the student should meet with his/her adviser to complete the Graduate Certificate Program Form. After adviser approval, this form should be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies. Please note that any changes in the State of Minnesota certificate guidelines will take precedence and may result in changes in this process.
Program Requirements
The program consists of 15 credits, or five courses. However, most students with professional licensure in the aforementioned areas have already met the requirements for the two courses that are prerequisites to the three core courses in the Autism Certificate Program. If a student does not have the prerequisite courses, she/he may register for the course during fall, spring or summer sessions.
- Two prerequisite courses are required and are offered during fall, spring, and summer sessions.
- Three sequential core courses are required. Students can complete the three consecutive courses during one summer.
Graduate Certificate - Autism
Certification Courses
15 credits
Prerequisite courses
6 credits
SPED 503. Special Education Foundations (or graduate/undergraduate equivalent)
SPED 505. Behavior Theories and Practices (or graduate/undergraduate equivalent)
Core courses
9 credits
SPED 623. Learning Environments for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3 credits
CSD 624. Language/Communication Assessment and Interventions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3 credits
CPSY 625. Behavior/Social Skills Assessment and Interventions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3 credits
Course descriptions
SPED 623. Learning Environments for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Overview of current topics regarding effective program planning for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), including identification and eligibility criteria; developmental profiles and needs; medical, neurological, legal, and family/caregiver issues.
Prereq: SPED 2/503 or CSD 560 or 568 or CPSY 630. 3 credits SUM.
CSD 624. Language/Communication Assessment and Interventions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Communication, speech, language, and pragmatic characteristics of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), identification and assessment methods, and use of evidence-based practices for teaching communication. Prereq: SPED 623. 3 credits SUM.
CPSY 627. Behavior/Social Skills Assessment and Interventions
for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Behavior analytic assessment and instructional planning for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Functional assessment and behavioral treatment planning for challenging behaviors. Prereq: SPED 623 and CSD 624; SPED 505 or equivalent. 3 credits SUM.
Completion of Certificate Program
At the beginning of the semester when the student plans to complete the required course work, an Application for Certificate Completion must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies. The satisfactory completion of a certificate program is verified by an appropriate statement on the transcript, and a certificate is provided to the student after the end of the semester of completion.
Location of Certificate Program
The Autism Certificate Program is available on the SCSU campus. Parking is available on-campus with a permit.
For more information on the certificate, start dates and course schedule contact:
Dr. Mary Beth Noll, Coordinator
Autism Certificate Program
St. Cloud State University
720 South Fourth Avenue
St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498
Telephone: 320.308.2043
E-mail: mbnoll@stcloudstate.edu
