Autism Graduate Certificate Program (ED)
An Inter-Disciplinary Program Offered Through:
Communication Sciences and Disorders |
Counseling and Community Psychology |
Special Education |
Department Chairperson: Dr. J. Michael Pickle
Department Secretary: Ms. Kathy Sauer
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. J. Michael Pickle
Graduate Faculty: Edrisinha, Estrem, Noll
Autism Certificate Program That Does Not Lead to Licensure
Program Overview
The purpose of the Autism Certificate Program is to provide advanced, specialized training for individuals who work with early childhood children through high school students 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, and Counseling and Community Psychology in the School of Health and Human Services and the Department of Special Education in the School of Education.
Key Features
- An autism certificate 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 certificate 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.
Should I be a graduate certificate student?
- By seeking admission to the Autism graduate certificate program a student can enjoy priority registration dates and earn a graduate certificate that is transcribed on the SCSU transcript. A graduate certificate is a great way to stack your teaching credentials for both employment and salary advancement opportunities. Financial aid is not available for this graduate certificate.
- SCSU highly encourages all students to seek admission to the graduate certificate program. You will be eligible for a pre-admission advising meeting and will receive regular communication from the School of Graduate Studies and other University service units and be eligible for the full benefits of being an admitted SCSU student.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Autism Certificate program, applicants must:
- Apply for admission to the Autism Graduate Certificate Program through the School of Graduate Studies.
- Have completed a baccalaureate degree.
- Hold professional 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 program at SCSU, a transcript is not necessary.
- Provide a one to two paragraph statement of intent in the program and your objectives in pursuing a graduate certificate in autism.
- The GRE examination is not required for graduate certificate admission consideration.
- Applicants to the autism certificate do NOT need to submit recommendation forms or reference letters.
- Students seeking acceptance into the program will be notified to schedule a pre-admission meeting with Dr. Mary Beth Noll in the Department of Special Education.
Admission Deadlines Specific to the Certificate Program
- Students must be admitted to the Autism Certificate Program in order to receive permission tor register for the courses.
- Domestic admission application deadlines
- International admission application deadlines
Gainful Employment
Certain undergraduate and graduate certificates at St. Cloud State University prepare students for employment in specific fields and do not result in a degree. Federal law requires publication of data associated with those programs of study, including approximate program costs, program length, and employment statistics. The Minnesota State Colleges and University's (MnSCU) Chancellor's office has provided these reports containing the aforementioned information for all required programs.
- Autism Certificate (pdf)
Program Approval
Once admitted to the autism certificate program the student should meet with his/her advisor to complete the Autism Graduate Certificate Program Form. After advisor 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 core courses are required. Students can complete the three consecutive courses during one summer.
Autism Graduate Certificate - 15 credits
Prerequisite Courses - 6 credits
SPED 503. Special Education Foundations (or equivalent)
SPED 505. Behavior Theories and Practices (or 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 627. Behavior/Social Skills Assessment and Interventions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3 credits
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
