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Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders

About the Program & Who Should Apply
Requirements
Contact Information & Application
Links and Additional Resources
Download a Brochure (pdf)

About the Program & Who Should Apply

About the Program

The Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a seven course program of study administered by the University of New Hampshire Department of Education that prepares its graduates to promote evidence-based, high quality, inclusive educational programs for students with ASD. The program is grounded in the philosophy that autism is a natural part of the human experience. It emphasizes that individuals with ASD have the same rights as individuals without disabilities to exert control and choice over their lives, to live independently, and to fully participate in and contribute to their communities through inclusion in the educational, economic, political, social, and cultural mainstream of society. Program courses are taught by faculty with joint appointments in various academic departments and the Institute on Disability.

Who Should Apply

Enrollment in the program is appropriate for: (a) self-advocates and family members; (b) general and special education teachers and administrators; (c) related service providers such as speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and recreation therapists; (d) paraprofessionals; and, (e) guidance counselors, behavior consultants, and other mental health professionals.

Applicants to the Graduate Certificate Program must have completed a bachelor’s degree (although undergraduate students may enroll in undergraduate courses). Practicing professionals or students enrolled in graduate programs in any discipline are encouraged to apply. Applicants are urged to schedule an appointment with the program coordinators to explore whether there is a good match between the program and the applicant’s learning goals, and to develop the appropriate program of study and enrollment sequence.

Applications are accepted any time (click here to apply) and decisions are made in a timely fashion.

Certificate Requirements

1. Attendance at two Autism Summer Institutes sponsored by the Institute on Disability. No credit is given for the Institute but it is a prerequisite for registration in EDUC 757/857.

2. Required courses:

Note: Every time the EDUC 757/857 course is offered, it will focus on unique topics that align with the summer institute theme. Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate are required to take the course two times and there is an option to take it a third time to fulfill a program elective.

EDUC 757/857A: Contemporary Issues in ASD – 4 credits – fall semester
EDUC 757/857B: Contemporary Issues in ASD – 4 credits – fall semester
HHS 897: Medical Aspects of ASD – 2 credits – fall or spring semester plus attendance at a 2-day medical aspects conference
COMM 920A: Seminar in ASD – 3 credits – fall semester

3. Elective courses – 3 from among the following choices based on individual advising (other electives may be added in the future)

EDUC 757/857C: Contemporary Issues in ASD – 4 credits – fall semester
EDUC 755/855: Social Relationships and Students with Disabilities – 2 credits - spring semester
EDUC 952: Assessment, Curriculum, Instruction, and Supports for Students with Disabilities – 4 credits – fall semester
EDUC 956: Positive Behavior Supports – 4 credits – spring semester
OT 726/826: Assistive Technology and Sensory, Communicative, and Cognitive Disabilities – 4 credits – fall semester
COMM 914: Augmentative and Alternative Communication – 3-4 credits – spring semester

Representative Course Sequence

Year/Semester

Summer

Fall

Spring

Autism Summer Institute

EDUC 757/857A

COMM 920A

HHS 897

Elective

Autism Summer Institute

EDUC 757/857B