Mar 28, 2024  
Graduate Catalog | 2020-2021 
    
Graduate Catalog | 2020-2021 Previous Edition

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Graduate Certificate


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The Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder is a 12-credit hour, non-licensure, online program. It serves two groups of professionals: (1) those who work in school districts and are responsible for teaching individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and for developing appropriate individualized education programs that include academic instruction and effective intervention practices in the areas of communication, daily living, and social skills; and (2) those who work in human service agencies and are responsible for providing intervention practices in the areas of communication, daily living, and social skills as well as preparing individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder to live, work, and learn as adults.

Program Objectives


As specialists in public schools and human service agencies in the area of autism spectrum disorder, completers of the program are prepared to:

  • Work as public school teachers in a broad range of educational settings including the general education classroom and special education programs
  • Work as human service agency personnel implementing research-validated intervention strategies for children, youth, and adults in community agencies
  • Implement research-validated instruction/intervention strategies for children, youth, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder
  • Assess the effectiveness of individualized instruction/intervention programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorder

Admission Requirements


  • A bachelor’s degree in education or a related field of study from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body
  • Official transcripts of all previous work beyond high school documenting an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale)
  • An essay of one to two pages describing the applicant’s experience and objective in pursuing the graduate certificate
  • Apply online at gradadmissions.uncc.edu

Applicants to the Graduate Certificate in ASD are not required to take the GRE or MAT. However, individuals who are interested in completing the ASD Graduate Certificate as part of the M.Ed. in Special Education degree must take the GRE or MAT to meet the admissions requirements for the M.Ed. in Special Education. If accepted into the master’s degree program, a maximum of twelve (12) Graduate Certificate hours may be applied toward the M.Ed. degree program in Special Education with the permission of the Graduate Program Director. Admission to the Graduate Certificate program does not ensure admission into a master’s degree program.

Certificate Requirements


The Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder requires a 12-credit hour sequence of courses.  No transfer credit is accepted. 

Certificate Total = 12 Credit Hours


Grade Requirements


Students must earn grades of B or above in each of the courses in the 12-credit hour program of study. 

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