Online Graduate Certificate in Autism: FAQs

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.

Yes, PDE approved this graduate certificate program as an autism endorsement. You can also seek PDE approval for adding this certificate to your current certifications.

In most cases, entrance exams are not required for admission to this graduate certificate program. However, students who hold a B.A. or B.S. degree in education and seek 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. You can learn additional requirements on our admissions page.

No, GMAT/GRE scores are not required for admission to this graduate certificate program. You can learn more about how to apply on our admissions page.

The first step is to start your application. Learn more by visiting our admissions page.

No, prior work experience is not required to join this graduate certificate program. You can learn about additional program requirements on our admissions page.

No, this graduate certificate program does not accept transfer credits. Learn more about how to apply on our admissions page.

This graduate certificate program does not accept transfer credits. Learn more about how to apply on our admissions page.

Arcadia University accepts applications throughout the year, and you can begin classes in the spring, summer, or fall. To learn more about the requirements for this graduate certificate program, visit our admissions page.

You will need a GPA of 3.0 to apply to the Autism graduate certificate program. To learn more about the program requirements, visit our admissions page.

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
• Resume
• Completed background check
• $50 application fee

For more details, visit our admissions page.

You can begin seeking this graduate certificate in the spring, summer, or fall.

We currently do not offer a virtual open house for the Autism graduate certificate program. Check back soon for the next opportunity to attend.

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.

You will complete 21 credits to earn the Graduate Certificate in Autism. Learn about the courses you will take on the curriculum page.

You will complete four courses to earn the Graduate Certificate in Autism. Learn about the courses you will take on the curriculum page.

No. All students will take the same courses while seeking the Graduate Certificate in Autism. Learn about the courses you will take on the curriculum page.

No, you will not pick a concentration to attain the Graduate Certificate in Autism. Learn about the courses you will take on the curriculum page.

Yes, you will become a part of a cohort while seeking this graduate certificate. However, we offer the courses in an asynchronous format, letting you complete the coursework when and where works best for you.

You will complete each course online, a format that allows you to study when and where works best for you. You will not need to visit campus to complete this program.

Students who reside in Pennsylvania will meet 20 service hours to complete this certificate program; this requirement does not apply to students who live in other states.

No, the Autism graduate certificate program does not have an on-campus residency requirement. Students who reside in Pennsylvania will meet 20 service hours to complete this certificate program; this requirement does not apply to students in other states.

Students who reside in Pennsylvania will meet 20 service hours to complete this certificate program; this requirement does not apply to students in other states.

Our program director, Dr. Sarah B. Woldoff, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and licensed psychologist specializing in neuropsychological evaluations. Faculty members are adjuncts with clinical backgrounds who have been with Arcadia University for as many as 10 years.

Our program director, Dr. Sarah B. Woldoff, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and licensed psychologist specializing in neuropsychological evaluations. The remaining faculty members are adjuncts with clinical backgrounds who have been with Arcadia University for as many as 10 years.

You can complete this online graduate certificate program in as few as 18 months. To learn more about the curriculum, visit our courses page.

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.

Arcadia University does not offer a full-time option for the online Autism graduate certificate program. Instead, you will take classes part time, which allows you to balance your work, school, and personal responsibilities. To review the curriculum, visit our courses page.

Yes. We designed the online Autism graduate certificate program for maximum flexibility through a part-time format. You will take up to two classes each semester, which last either 12 or 15 weeks depending on the time of year. This pace helps you balance your work, school, and personal responsibilities. To review the curriculum, visit our courses page.

The tuition for the online Autism graduate certificate program is $720 per credit hour. You will need to complete 12 credit hours for a total tuition of $8,640. Learn more by visiting the tuition page.

Currently, Arcadia University does not offer scholarships for the online Autism graduate certificate program. Please consider the following options regarding finances:

• Complete the FAFSA® to determine financial aid eligibility. Arcadia's FAFSA code is 003235.
• Apply for a Sallie Mae loan.

The total tuition for this graduate certificate program is $8,640. You will need to complete 12 credit hours at $720 per credit hour. Learn more by visiting the tuition page.

The online Autism graduate certificate program includes an application fee when the admissions process begins. You can learn more on this program's tuition page.