Image
Little girl looking closely at a building structure

Autism Spectrum Disorders - Graduate Certificate

About This Program

The Graduate Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Certificate Program is an interdisciplinary program between Special Education and Speech Pathology & Audiology. The ASD Certificate coursework prepares participants for understanding and addressing the needs of autistic individuals across the spectrum and over the lifespan, in varied contexts including general and special education classrooms and community settings. 

Contact Us

Apply Now
Request Information
Schedule a visit

About This Program

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability characterized by impairments in social communication and social interaction and restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in 36 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (CDC, 2024). 

The ASD Certificate Program was designed for professionals in the fields of education, special education, speech-language pathology, psychology, counseling, and other fields who are involved in the education, assessment, and/or treatment of autistic individuals and their families.

Program Information

Program Description

Full Description

The Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) graduate certificate prepares students for understanding and addressing the needs of individuals with autism across the spectrum, across the lifespan and in varied contexts, including general and special education classrooms and community settings. Students will gain knowledge and skills related to diagnostic and learning style characteristics, causes and medical intervention, early signs and assessment protocols, social-communicative development and disorders, theoretical models and implications of those models for intervention, family characteristics and evidence-based intervention practices. This program is most relevant for students who want to specialize in ASD and/or professionals assuming leadership roles in supporting individuals with ASD and their families in the programs and organizations in which they work.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  • Minimum 2.750 GPA
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Goal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Summer Term
    • Rolling admissions
Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Certificate Requirements
SPA 64309AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS: THEORY AND DIAGNOSIS 3
SPA 64310AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS: LIFESPAN INTERVENTIONS 3
SPA 64501SOCIAL COMMUNICATION ASPECTS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER 3
SPED 53030APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS I: THEORY AND TECHNIQUES 3
SPED 63030PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
or SPED 63959 MEDICAL ASPECTS OF LIFESPAN DISABILITIES
Certificate Electives, choose from the following:1-3
SPA 64096
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION:SPEECH PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY
SPA 64098
RESEARCH
SPA 64199
THESIS I
SPED 53031
APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS II: APPLICATION
SPED 63995
SPECIAL TOPICS IN SPED
SPED 63949
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER CAPSTONE
Minimum Total Credit Hours:16

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Certificate GPA Minimum Overall GPA
3.000 -
  • Students declared in a doctoral degree should enroll in the doctoral level version of these courses, if offered.
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • Fully online
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries

Education teachers, postsecondary

4.8%

about as fast as the average

77,300

number of jobs

$65,440

potential earnings

Special education teachers, all other

8.5%

much faster than the average

36,600

number of jobs

$62,820

potential earnings

Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school

2.9%

slower than the average

193,000

number of jobs

$60,620

potential earnings

Special education teachers, middle school

2.6%

slower than the average

84,700

number of jobs

$61,820

potential earnings

Special education teachers, preschool

8.3%

much faster than the average

23,000

number of jobs

$61,400

potential earnings

Special education teachers, secondary school

3.2%

about as fast as the average

143,000

number of jobs

$62,320

potential earnings

Healthcare support workers, all other

6.9%

faster than the average

96,900

number of jobs

$39,530

potential earnings

Social and human service assistants

16.8%

much faster than the average

425,600

number of jobs

$35,960

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
© 2024 Kent State University All rights reserved.