If you’re passionate about working with individuals with autism, getting an autism specialist certification could open doors to more opportunities in this sector.
An online autism specialist certification program could equip you with the necessary knowledge to help children and adults with autism cope with their symptoms.
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Educators could gain specialized skills, techniques, and knowledge to help students with autism progress academically. An autism specialist certification could also give you the expertise to work with individuals with autism in other professional settings.
Online Autism Specialist Certification Programs
With increased awareness of autism cases in society, there’s a growing need for certified autism specialists. A certified autism specialist (CAS) helps persons with autism and the people they interact with manage and respond to autism symptoms.
An online graduate certificate in autism spectrum disorders is a non-degree academic program that equips learners with specialized knowledge and skills on autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It could also help you prepare for professional credentials, such as CAS certification.
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The courses covered in autism certification programs online focus on field-based evidence to help you identify, design, and implement techniques to improve social skills.
Some common course topics include:
- Survey of autism spectrum disorders
- Evidence-based practices for learners with ASD
- Characteristics of students with ASD
- Introduction to applied behavior analysis
Typical coursework also involves learning how to anticipate and manage behavioral issues. The expertise you may develop in an ASD graduate certificate program could also be useful in pursuing various career paths.
Occupations in the autism field include:
- Applied behavior analyst
- Adapted physical education specialist
- Special education teacher
- Autism spectrum disorder specialist
- Social worker
The different career paths in this field cater to the various physical, learning, social, communication, literacy, developmental, and emotional needs of persons with autism. Some Autism spectrum disorder specialists work with children with autism in group settings. With more experience, ASD specialists can also work with individuals in private settings.
ASD specialists can also collect data, graph data, manage case files, and create intervention plans. They also support families and other professionals handling ASD cases.
Communication Disorders Careers & Salaries
Those with an autism specialist certification can provide support for professionals in various settings, such as educational centers, clinics, and workplaces. Autism specialists may work with children, teens, or adults with ASD.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here’s a list of possible occupations in the field of autism, along with their annual median salaries.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Occupational Therapists | $85,570 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | $79,060 |
| School Psychologists | $78,780 |
| Special Education Preschool Teachers | $62,420 |
| Special Education Secondary School Teachers | $62,120 |
| Special Education Middle School Teachers | $61,820 |
| Special Education Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers | $61,640 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $60,840 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $49,150 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $48,520 |
Many employers require autism program specialists to have at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree in education, psychology, social work, or human services. Some universities offer accelerated psychology degrees online or on campus for students needing to earn this credential before entering their CAS program.
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Graduate certificate programs in autism may help increase your employment prospects. While autism specialists primarily work with individuals with autism spectrum disorders, their particular field and position can affect their income levels.
Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders Curriculum
While coursework can differ from program to program, here’s a list of some courses you may encounter as you pursue a graduate certificate in autism spectrum disorders:
- Field-Based Experience in Autism: In this course, you’ll cover how to deal with people with autism in different settings, such as schools, clinics, hospitals, and residential treatment centers.
- Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis: This course introduces you to behavioral principles and their application in different human service settings. It also equips you with techniques to assess behavior, develop intervention plans, and implement and evaluate outcomes.
- Introduction to Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders: This course covers different autism spectrum disorders and the etiology and assessment process of autism spectrum disorders.
- Supporting the Behavior and Sensory Needs of Individuals with Autism: This course explores the behavior and sensory development of persons with ASD and covers research-based interventions.
- Supporting Communication and Literacy for Individuals with Autism: You’ll explore characteristics of communication with individuals with ASD, and you’ll also study how to design and implement communication systems.
- Controversial Therapies, Fad, and Pseudoscience in Educational Settings: You’ll explore the role and impact of controversial therapies and pseudoscience in handling persons with ASD in educational settings.
- Verbal Behavior: This course explores and applies core aspects of behavior change, teaching you about social skills interventions for individuals with special needs.
- Ethics of Applied Behavior Analysis: This course explores ethical dilemmas behavioral analysts may encounter.
- Consultation Frameworks and Issues: This course covers framework models and the roles of educational consultants who work with families and professionals in many fields.
- Family-Centered Practices: This course explores behavior management approaches for children with ASD.
The coursework is designed to prepare you to handle various situations surrounding ASD.
Admissions Requirements
Different graduate certificate programs have varying requirements, but here are some general criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Professional resume
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Copy of an initial or professional license (if required)
Many programs require candidates to have a minimum college GPA. Some schools may also have an application fee. Since admissions requirements can vary from program to program, it’s beneficial to verify the specific criteria for your prospective schools.
Accreditation
As you invest your finances and time in pursuing a CAS certification, you might want to ensure you’re getting a quality education. Regional accreditation indicates that a school has undergone rigorous evaluations from an outside accrediting organization.
It’s beneficial to enroll in an autism certificate online program from a regionally accredited school. For one thing, a degree from a regionally accredited school is a common educational requirement for state licensure as well as professional certification.
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You can look up the accreditation status of your preferred school on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s website.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
As you research your options for pursuing an autism certification program online, it’s also beneficial to explore your options for financial aid.
You can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to confirm your eligibility for federal aid, such as student loans and work-study programs. You could check whether your state provides financial aid as well.
Scholarships can also provide financial relief for learners who qualify. You could search for institutions and organizations that offer scholarships for special needs studies. Some scholarships are also based off of academic merit. Employers may also offer tuition benefits for workers who are furthering their training and education.
What Is an ASD Specialist?
An autism spectrum disorder (ASD) specialist is an applied behavior analyst who specifically works with individuals diagnosed with autism. A certified autism specialist is not a medical professional, but they have gone through extensive training in dealing with people with autism.
Once an individual starts showing symptoms of autism, often when they’re a child, a medical professional confirms the diagnosis. An ASD specialist then comes in after the diagnosis to develop a treatment plan for the individual, either in clinical settings or on a one-on-one basis.
ASD specialists can work with children, teens, and adults with autism. They help manage specific autism symptoms and support other caregivers.
What Can You Do with an Autism Specialist Certification?
An autism specialist certification can be instrumental for professionals involved with education, social work, healthcare, and counseling. For example, CAS certification can be a beneficial supplement for special education teachers, behavior analysts, social workers, and mental health professionals who want to work with individuals with ASD.
Some specialists work with children in schools or in clinical settings, while others provide support in workplaces for individuals with autism. Having an autism specialist certification can show your expertise in the field, and some employers even require ASD specialists to hold professional certification.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Autism Graduate Certificate Online?
Autism graduate certificate online programs can generally be completed in 1 year, or two semesters, with full-time study. Most programs require you to complete between 12 credits and 15 credits. Many online programs offer accelerated classes that last about 6 to 8 weeks each.
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Part-time enrollment will likely extend your time to completion. If you’re interested in pursuing professional certification, you may want to verify whether your prospective program meets the educational criteria for your preferred credential.
What’s the Difference Between a Graduate Certificate vs. Masters in Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Here are some of the differences between a graduate certificate and a master’s in autism spectrum disorder.
| Graduate Certificate in ASD | Masters Degree in ASD |
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The educational track you choose will likely depend on your short-term and long-term goals. Either path may help you prepare for certification in the field.
What’s the Difference Between a Certificate vs. Certification in Autism Spectrum Disorders?
A graduate certificate is an academic program offered by colleges and universities. On the other hand, professional certification is an industry credential.
| Graduate Certificate in ASD | Certification in ASD |
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Some graduate certificate programs in ASD are designed to help you fulfill the educational qualifications for professional certification.
Is an Autism Specialist Certification Worth It?
Yes, an autism specialist certification is worth it for many students. With increased data and research on autism spectrum disorders, it has become easier to identify autism cases early on in children. This better understanding of ASD has also increased awareness and the need for autism specialists.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8% job growth for special education teachers and 23% job growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors over the next ten years. Other positions related to ASD are expected to see positive growth as well.
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Having an autism specialist certification could increase your chances of employability in the autism field, and industry certification is even required by some employers.
Universities Offering Online Graduate Certificate in Autism Specialist Program
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Arizona State University offers an online Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders graduate certificate. The program requires the completion of 5 classes that are each 7.5 weeks long, for a total of 15 credit hours. The curriculum covers some applied behavioral analysis but also a wide range of other strategies for assisting people with autism.
Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Ball State University’s graduate certificate in autism can be earned entirely online but is designed to provide the same quality education that can be received on campus. The program requires the completion of 15 credits, all of which are designed to be applied toward a master’s degree. Students are required to complete a field experience and are responsible for finding a site to complete it.
Ball State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Fitchburg State University offers an autism spectrum disorders graduate certificate that can be earned 100% online. The program is designed for current teachers and requires the completion of four courses that are each 7 weeks long.
Two of these classes are Foundations and Characteristics of Autism and Assessment of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The other two are Positive Behavioral Supports for Students with Disabilities and Interventions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Fitchburg State University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Florida State University offers an autism spectrum disorder graduate certificate. The program is available online and requires the completion of 16 credit hours of coursework. It can typically be finished within 1 year. The certificate is designed to enable licensed teachers in Florida to obtain the Autism Endorsement.
The Florida State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Liberty University offers a graduate certificate in autism education. The program requires the completion of 9 credit hours. These can typically be completed in 6 months. Classes are 8 weeks long and 100% online. Credits earned may be applied to a relevant graduate degree. The program’s instructors have real-world experience as teachers and administrators in K-12 schools.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Pittsburg State University offers an online certificate program in autism spectrum disorders. The certificate is offered with either an early childhood focus or a school-age focus. The program’s classes have live meetings. To graduate, students must complete 18 credit hours of coursework, which can typically be finished within 1 year.
Pittsburg State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of Central Florida offers an online certificate program in autism spectrum disorders. While the program is online, it does include field-based assignments to provide hands-on experience. Students are required to complete 12 credit hours of coursework. The curriculum covers topics such as communication techniques and the nature of autism.
The University of Central Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Kansas offers an autism spectrum disorder graduate certificate that can be earned entirely online. The program is designed to be convenient and can potentially be finished in less than a year. The program’s instructors have extensive experience in the field. Students are required to complete five courses that are each 8 weeks long.
The University of Kansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Maine offers a graduate certificate in autism spectrum disorders that can be earned 100% online. The program requires the completion of 12 credits. It is designed for those who already work with students on the autism spectrum. Students may choose between a general education track and a special education track.
The University of Maine is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The University of North Dakota offers an autism spectrum disorders graduate certificate. The program is fully online and requires the completion of 12 credit hours. Most students finish within a year. Possible courses that may be taken include Methods for Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD Assessment, Supports Across the Lifespan, and more.
UND is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders Online
Completing an online graduate certificate in autism disorders could help you qualify to work with individuals with autism. It could also prepare you to pursue professional certification.
A graduate certificate program can allow you to advance your knowledge and skills in ASD in a shorter period and often at a lower financial cost than degree programs. Many reputable certificate programs are also offered online by accredited schools. Online programming typically allows for more flexible scheduling, which can be especially helpful for working professionals.
Enrolling in a graduate certificate program could be useful for educators, families with ASD individuals, psychologists, and other professionals who deal with people with special needs. You can start exploring accredited schools today to find the ASD graduate certificate program that best matches your goals.
