Empower Young Learners Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Establish a solid foundation for educating learners diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the online Graduate Certificate in Autism from Arcadia University. You will take four online classes led by faculty members with real-world experience educating learners with autism—with their guidance, you can maximize your impact as a special education teacher or clinical professional.
- The part-time format fits your busy schedule
- Complete the online classes when and where you want
- Available as a standalone certificate and as part of a master’s degree
What Makes Our Online Autism Certificate Unique?
Arcadia’s online Graduate Certificate in Autism educates you on the characteristics of students diagnosed with autism, preparing you to conduct assessments and interventions that support these learners. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has approved this certificate as an Autism Endorsement with the option to seek approval for adding it to existing teaching certifications.
This certificate can also be applied to the online Master’s in Behavioral Health or M.Ed. in Social and Emotional Learning.
Learn More Today
Complete the form to learn more about this online program from Arcadia University.
Discover a Rewarding Path for Your Education Career
According to the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, the percentage of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder increased from 0.7 percent in 2000 to 2.3 percent in 2018.1 While advances in diagnosing autism contributed to this growth, education advancements are helping instructors tailor classroom learning around these students’ needs. Get ready to apply research-based teaching strategies for developing teaching plans, working with families, and achieving learning goals for students with autism through Arcadia’s online graduate certificate program. You will prepare for rewarding education careers in K-12 schools or clinical settings to make a difference for an expanding learning population.
This certificate can also be applied to the online Master’s in Behavioral Health or M.Ed. in Social and Emotional Learning.
Prepare to Make a Difference for a Growing Community of Students
Pursue the Graduate Certificate in Autism online to develop a deep understanding of how to educate children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. You will explore proven teaching methods and behavior analysis principles while receiving mentoring from faculty with extensive experience in this field. This personalized and supportive approach to graduate education has helped us achieve a 98% retention rate for this program.
Course Highlights:
- Character Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
- Teaching Methods for Students with Autism
- Special Topics in Autism
Admissions Requirements
At Arcadia University, you will receive ongoing support that provides a simple, straightforward admissions process. Here are the basic requirements for joining the online Graduate Certificate in Autism program:
| Completed online application—you can apply now |
| Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited institution |
| Official transcripts from each college, university, or professional school attended |
| If applying for an add-on certification program, provide proof of Pennsylvania teaching certificates. A teaching license is not required. |
| Students who hold a B.A. or B.S. degree in Education and are seeking an initial teaching certification (Instructional I) must submit passing scores from a provider of one of the approved basic skills assessment tests: PAPA, CORE, SAT, or ACT |
| Two letters of recommendation |
| Personal statement |
| $0 application fee |
| Resume |
Arcadia accepts applications throughout the year, with the option to start classes in the spring, summer, or fall.
Tuition Details
You will accrue 12 credit hours while earning your Graduate Certificate in Autism. The program’s cost per credit for the current school year is $765 and is subject to change.
Be sure to explore your financial aid options so that earning your Graduate Certificate in Autism is affordable. Arcadia University is also a Military Friendly® School, striving to offer quality and cost-effective education for military service members and veterans.
What You Will Learn
Seek this graduate certificate online to explore the social, language, and sensory characteristics of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and the factors that affect their lives in school and at home. You will delve into research-based strategies for teaching students and get an introduction to using applied behavior analysis when working with children.
Program Outcomes
After completing the online Graduate Certificate in Autism, students will be able to:
- Describe the historical perspectives on the nature, characteristics, and etiologies of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
- Describe speech, language, and communication acquisition of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
- Identify the strengths and challenges of individuals on the autism spectrum in various developmental domains.
- Describe identification, assessment, and intervention approaches from different theoretical perspectives and describe the integration of various models.
- Identify evidence-based and non-evidence-based approaches to working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, including Applied Behavior Analysis.
Get to Know Our Faculty
Arcadia’s faculty are passionate about elevating the difference you can make for students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. You will benefit from their professional experience supporting students and teaching online, getting personal guidance in small classes with a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Each of our instructors is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), affirming their expertise in affecting positive behavioral change.
Faculty Spotlight
Sarah B. Woldoff, Ph.D/BCBA
Assistant Professor and Director of ABA and Autism Graduate Studies, School of Education
Dr. Woldoff is a licensed psychologist specializing in neuropsychological evaluations and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with more than 20 years of clinical experience working with children and adults on the autism spectrum. Before joining Arcadia, Dr. Woldoff’s career focused on diagnosis, clinical research, school-based programming, clinical training, and program evaluation.
Full Bio
Dr. Sarah Woldoff is an assistant professor in the School of Education. She is also the director of the graduate degree and certificate programs in the areas of Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis at Arcadia University. Her career has included university appointments, including the assistant director of Autism Services at the University of Miami and working as a staff psychologist at the Center for Autism Research at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where she performed evaluations, supervised clinical evaluations for several research studies, co-led staff training, supervised psychology trainees, and counseled families. Dr. Woldoff's expertise also includes the use of the ADOS-2 and ADI-R diagnostic evaluations. Most recently, Dr. Woldoff served as the chief clinical officer for an agency that provided autism services across the life span. Dr. Woldoff's real-world experience, exceptional clinical knowledge, and teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels cultivate a unique experience for students.
Online Learning Experience
Arcadia’s online programs bring together the best aspects of flexibility and personal guidance. You can study at your pace, accessing the online coursework at convenient times for your schedule. At the same time, we built our online environment to provide seamless engagement with your instructors and classmates. Benefit from a highly flexible experience backed by ongoing support for achieving your career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about the online Graduate Certificate in Autism program. If you have a question not covered here, request more information to connect with an enrollment advisor or call us @ 855-235-6653.
How fast can I complete the online Graduate Certificate in Autism program?
You can complete this online graduate certificate program in as few as 18 months. To learn more about the curriculum, visit our courses page.
How long do I have to complete the online Graduate Certificate in Autism program?
We designed the Autism graduate certificate program for working professionals with busy lives. If something interrupts your course of study, you do not have to worry about losing credit for completed courses. To see the curriculum, visit our courses page.
Is the online Graduate Certificate in Autism program accredited?
Arcadia University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
How many courses are in the online Graduate Certificate in Autism program?
You will complete four courses to earn the Graduate Certificate in Autism. Learn about the courses you will take on the curriculum page.
What are the admissions requirements for the online Graduate Certificate in Autism program?
The basic requirements for admission to the online Autism graduate certificate program include:
- Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited institution
- Official transcripts from each college, university or professional school attended
- If applying for an add-on certification program, provide proof of Pennsylvania teaching certificates. A teaching license is not required
- Students who hold a B.A. or B.S. degree in education and are seeking an initial teaching certification (Instructional I) must submit passing scores from a provider of one of the approved basic skills assessment tests: PAPA, CORE, SAT, or ACT
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- $50 application fee
For more details, visit our admissions page.
What kind of career can I expect to pursue after finishing the online Graduate Certificate in Autism program?
The Graduate Certificate in Autism appeals to educators interested in working in inclusive classrooms and special education, two teaching environments experiencing substantial growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that special education employment will exceed 500,000 jobs in the U.S. by 2030. Arcadia also offers this certificate as a part of the Master of Education degree with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis, providing a path to BCBA certification to qualify for behavior analysis roles. To learn more about your career options, visit our careers page.
Source
- “Data & Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved July 26, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/.
School of Education Graduate Program Information
Teacher Certification Agreements
Pennsylvania has signed the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement that provides for acceptance of state-approved educator preparation programs between certain states to facilitate educator mobility.
Teacher Certification Reciprocity
Arcadia University School of Education is an approved provider of educational programs leading to Pennsylvania Department of Education Professional Certification and offers certification at the undergraduate and post baccalaureate (graduate) levels. Arcadia University has not determined if our curriculum meets the requirements for teacher certification in other states or US territories.
