Certificate of Specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders

 

Reach Students Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders 

Whether you’re a teacher or a parent of a student who’s been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, West Chester University’s Graduate Certificate in Autism can help you support students.

Our courses focus on recognizing and valuing different experiences, identities, and the needs of individuals with Autism to ensure that our graduates are prepared to work with different populations living with Autism across different settings and environments. Our courses prepare students to become active participants in transforming the educational landscape with the aim of fostering inclusive values in our classrooms, communities, and institutions.

You’ll engage with a community of parents and educators dedicated to giving students their all and will make connections throughout the education system in Pennsylvania.

This program is offered 100% online.

 

Benefits of Earning Your English Master's at WCU

Flexible CCE Coursework

The Graduate Certificate in Autism was designed with working professionals in mind. Classes are offered 100% online, providing a more flexible learning environment. But don’t worry—even with our online classes you’ll have the opportunity to interact with faculty and classmates throughout your program.

WCU’s certificate program also qualifies for continuing education credits (CCE), a benefit to current and aspiring teachers.

Accomplished Faculty and Small Classes

At WCU you’ll be taught by outstanding faculty. Most of our professors come from a classroom background with hands-on knowledge of teaching special education and ASD students. Each professor brings their own expertise and interests to the classroom from developing high-quality Individualized Education Programs to designing evidence-based instruction. They are frequent presenters at home and abroad and have far-reaching education networks.

At WCU, our small graduate classes mean you’ll receive personalized attention and an individualized program experience with faculty who are deeply committed to providing mentorship, and support to each student.

Affordable Tuition

Affordability is part of WCU’s mission, and our tuition is among the most affordable in the region. To help put your graduate studies within reach, WCU also offers employee reimbursement options, payment plans, and graduate assistantships.

Personalized Career Advising

As a graduate student at WCU, you’ll have full access to the Twardowski Career Development Center (CDC). The experts at the CDC will help you explore career options, write your résumé, perfect your interviewing skills, and create a job search strategy. The CDC also hosts employment fairs on campus throughout the year.

 

What Can You Do with a Graduate Certificate in Autism?

Our students are teachers, professors, tutors, curriculum leaders, consultants, and parents. They choose this certificate program to gain more in-depth understanding of teaching students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and to hone their own research and advocacy skills.

The Graduate Certificate in Autism qualifies for continuing education credits (CEC) and can increase your confidence in the classroom, your leadership opportunities and pay scale, and will provide you with a support network of local special education teachers.

 

What Will You Study as a Student in the Graduate Certificate in Autism Program?

The certificate program consists of 4 required courses that promote: (1) family, inter-agency, and community collaboration, (2) a focus on assessment to design and adapt programming for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, (3) participation in field experiences to allow students to apply what they have learned, and (4) an emphasis on communication and assistive needs to support children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in K-12 classrooms.