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Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

The online Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has a focused curriculum designed to prepare you to effectively work with children and students across the autism spectrum.

Whether you are a special educator, a P-12 teacher, a concerned family member or an advocate, the online Graduate Certificate in ASD gives you critical knowledge and practical skills to help you address a disorder that is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 68 children in the United States.

Disclosure information about the U.S. Department of Education Gainful Employment Program can be seen here. In order to enroll in the online graduate certificate, a bachelor's degree is required.

  • Program Benefits
  • Program Structure
  • Admissions Requirements
  • What You Will Learn
  • Faculty
  • After Graduation

Program Benefits

  • Earn a graduate certificate from the No. 1 Special Education Department in the nation (among public universities)1 and a top 30 Best Online Education Graduate Program2
  • Learn from a university that has been a pioneer in autism education, preparing educators with graduate programs in ASD for over 30 years
  • Complete in as few as 8 to 10 months
  • Conduct your course work anytime, anywhere through our innovative online platform, KU Connect
  • Submit your application with no GRE requirement for admission into the program

Program Structure

5 courses, 8 weeks per course, 13 credits

Time to completion: as few as 8-10 months

Admissions Requirements

Our Admissions Advisors are here to help answer your questions regarding admission requirements and licensure. If you have questions, please email us at onlineinfo@ku.edu or call us at 855-639-7799.

To be considered for admission, prospective students must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a GPA greater than 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 should contact an admission advisor for information about provisional admissions.

To apply to the Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder, your first step is completing the online application form. Prior to starting the form we recommend that you review our admissions guide. You will also need to include a Letter of Introduction, and the requirements are located here.

International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements. These requirements are located here.

For more information about our admission requirements, visit the Department of Special Education website.

What You Will Learn

The University of Kansas has over 30 years of experience preparing educators to work with children on the autism spectrum, ranging from kids requiring highly individualized programs to those who need less intensive modifications in the general education population.

As a part of this program, you will learn about:

  • Characteristics and assessments
  • Social and behavioral interventions
  • Effective curriculum development strategies
  • Sensory and motor issues

The curriculum is focused on evidence-based practices and includes a field experience that allows you to apply your learned skills and knowledge in a real-world environment.

View Course Descriptions

Faculty

The University of Kansas brings a rich academic tradition into the online environment. The KU School of Education is equally committed to KU’s mission of educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world. Our special education faculty are at the leading edge of research and practice to improve the lives of children with special needs. They have:

  • Served as leaders of and received recognition from key organizations such as The Arc and the Council for Exceptional Children
  • Authored dozens of books and over 1,000 academic articles that guide research and practice worldwide
  • Directed tens of millions in federal grant dollars dedicated to the field of special education

After Graduation

The online Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder is designed for passionate educators who want to advance their knowledge and skills of how to work with children on the autism spectrum. Graduates of the program work in many settings:

  • Special education teachers who work as co-teachers or resource teachers in public or private schools
  • General population K12 teachers who have children with autism in their classroom
  • Specialists, aides, consultants and advocates who work with children with autism in an education-related capacity

Please note: The Autism Spectrum Disorder Graduate Certificate program does not lead to a teacher license or state endorsement in the state of Kansas.

No program can guarantee licensure. It is each student’s responsibility to determine the licensure requirements in his or her state and to apply for the licenses or endorsements necessary to his or her career goals. Our department staff and Licensure Officer can provide individual support during the application process to help you understand your state’s requirements.

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The Increased Presence of Autism

In 2000, only one in 150 children were diagnosed with autism. By 2010, that number had nearly doubled. Today, about 15 percent of children have the developmental disorder, and some experts anticipate the rate to continue to increase. Today’s educators must be ready and able to educate the rapidl...

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Important Dates

Dec
28
Application Deadline

December 28
Spring 2019 Term

Jan
14
Next Start

January 14
Spring 2019 Term

Events

Oct
23
Webinar: The KU School of Education

October 23 Register Now

Nov
19
Webinar: The Online Master's in Educational Technology

November 19 Register Now

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Sources:
  1. Retrieved on October 17, 2017, from usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/special-needs-education-rankings
  2. Retrieved on January 9, 2018, from usnews.com/education/online-education/university-of-kansas-155317