Online graduate autism spectrum disorder (ASD) certificate

Convenient & efficient

Finish in less than one year without interrupting your work and life.

Learn from the best

Industry-leading faculty with extensive clinical and practical experience.

A top-ranked school

Ranked the No. 1 Best Online Master's in Special Education Program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.1

“If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.”

—Dr. Stephen Shore2

Lead with confidence and compassion.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aren’t defined by their diagnosis; in fact, many of them are empowered by it. As the number of students diagnosed with ASD continues to grow, teachers, families and support personnel must be ready and able to meet their various needs and create inclusive, supportive environments for them to thrive.

The online graduate autism spectrum disorder certificate at the University of Kansas is a focused and direct counterpart to our online master’s in autism spectrum disorder. The distilled coursework, tactical lesson plans, and shorter program length will give you a solid foundation of knowledge to use with children in your everyday life and work. With detailed, persona-based case studies from the prestigious KU School of Education and Human Sciences, you’ll be able to dig deeper into the nuances of ASD and humanize the learning experience from beginning to end.

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Today's lesson is tomorrow's breakthrough.

Autism spectrum disorder can be complex, and there isn’t a “right” way to approach it. Guided by our expert faculty with deep experience in the space, we tailored the content for the online autism graduate certificate so that you can immediately implement your coursework into productive and meaningful interactions as you see fit.

The autism spectrum disorder certificate is designed to help you:

  • Assess and support children and youth with ASD
  • Implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions and support strategies, enabling them to work more effectively with children and youth with ASD
  • Connect assessment results to instruction
  • Report assessment results in a way that is both technically accurate and transparent to laypeople and other school-based professionals

Earn your autism spectrum disorder certificate online in as few as eight months.

The graduate certificate is a less intensive complement to the online master’s degree in autism spectrum disorder. Aside from requiring less time and money, a graduate certificate also focuses more on execution and tactical solutions versus big picture learnings.

This program can benefit:

  • School administrators
  • General and special educators
  • Individuals with a personal connection to autism
  • Interventionists
  • Behavior analysts
  • Psychologists
  • Family members affected by autism
  • Physical and occupational therapists

The ASD online student experience

ASD students Meagan David and Lindsey Stewart met during their first term at the School of Education and Human Sciences. Together, they shared the connections, collaboration, and life-enriching friendships that grew from their online experience at KU.

Important dates

DEC
16
Application Deadline
December 16
Spring 2025 Term
JAN
13
Next Start
January 13
Spring 2025 Term

The online ASD graduate certificate

Program details

  • 5 courses, 8 weeks per course, 15 credit hours
  • As few as 8 to 10 months to completion
  • Complete your coursework anytime, anywhere through our innovative online format
  • Apply with no GRE requirement for admission
  • An observational field experience is required

View Admissions Requirements

*This online graduate certificate does not lead to initial nor advanced licensure in special education in the state of Kansas.

Note: In order to enroll in this program, a bachelor's degree is required. No program can guarantee licensure.

KU’s licensure programs strive to maintain accurate and up-to-date information about the educational requirements for licensure in U.S. states and territories. However, regulations are subject to change and varying interpretations. In addition to possible changes in educational requirements, licensure often includes additional requirements, such as specific examinations and additional training or practicum hours. It is highly recommended that students seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency before beginning an academic program to ensure they know what is needed to obtain the license/certification/registration in the state in which they intend to practice and/or seek licensure. Visit soehs.ku.edu/current-students/licensure/disclosures for more information

Online graduate certificate in autism spectrum disorder: Course descriptions

The online autism spectrum disorder certificate teaches learning professionals how to effectively work with students across the autism spectrum. Read this page to learn more about the topics and courses available to those getting their autism graduate certificate at KU. Unless otherwise noted, all courses listed are worth 3 credits.

Please note: Course list and sequence are subject to change.

SPED 760 - INTRODUCTION TO AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

An introductory graduate-level course for the autism spectrum disorder certificate. It addresses characteristics of children and youth with autism spectrum disorder, trends, and issues associated with autism spectrum disorder, and effective practices and strategies for structuring, managing, and promoting social skill development and social interactions among learners with autism spectrum disorder.

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SPED 785 - APPLICATION OF ASSESSMENT INFORMATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN & YOUTH: AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Learn more about the kinds of information that social and cognitive development assessments offer special educators, families, students, and other practitioners. Experience the use of assessment data to design Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and plan instruction, management and support programs. Understand how to design and use informal assessments that are specific to the needs of exceptional children and youth. Practice preparing and using assessment data to create and implement instruction in collaboration with other practitioners. Prerequisite: An undergraduate or graduate course in educational measurement, and SPED 760. LEC.

SPED 790 - METHODS FOR LEARNERS WITH HIGHER-FUNCTIONING AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

This is a methods course, with special emphasis on learners with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Particular attention is given to effective practices and strategies for teaching, managing, and promoting social skill and social communication development and proactive social interactions.

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SPED 860 - EDUCATION OF CHILDREN & YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES: AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

This course is designed to prepare students to implement specialized alternative strategies for individualized group instruction. Methods for developing and implementing overall treatment/educational programs, planning or selecting curriculum/service models for programs, and developing instructional materials are emphasized. Procedures for managing classroom staff and service resources, coordinating educational programs with families, other service personnel and program support staff, and monitoring overall program effectiveness are addressed.

SPED 772 - OBSERVATION AND PARTICIPATION WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

This is a field experience for the graduate student who is seeking to become familiar with settings in which assessment, intervention, and other educational and clinical services are provided for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This field experience is designed to provide an opportunity to observe services provided to children and youth with a range of ASD, and must be completed under the supervision of qualified and licensed special education teachers and/or other licensed professionals with training and experience in ASD assessment and intervention (e.g., psychologists, behavior analysts, speech/language pathologists, or occupational therapists).

Content & resources

Admissions requirements

Review the necessary admissions requirements for the online graduate autism spectrum disorder certificate.

Tuition information

Take a look at costs per credit hour and total estimated costs for our online graduate programs.

Online experience

Discover the innovative digital tools available to students in KU’s online programs in autism spectrum disorder.

IMPORTANT DATES

DEC
16
Application Deadline
December 16
Spring 2025 Term
JAN
13
Next Start
January 13
Spring 2025 Term

EVENTS