Autism spectrum disorders

Program

The certificate program in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is designed to prepare teachers and related service personnel to design and deliver services to children and youth with ASD and their families.

ASD are developmental disorders of neurobiological origin that can affect intellectual functioning, social abilities, and language and communication skills.

This 14-credit program offers specialized training in methods of assessment, intervention, and treatment evaluation. Admission is open to graduate and undergraduate students. This program offers professional development opportunities for autism resource specialists, public and private social service agency staff, personnel at public and private schools, treatment facility personnel, and psychology and education professionals.

Demand is rising for professionals with training in this field. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 2 to 6 per 1,000 children have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), with some recent studies citing dramatic apparent increases in prevalence in certain locales. In Minnesota, 8,588 school-age children are identified with ASD (State of Minnesota Child Count, 2006).

Certificate coursework prepares students with the most effective instructional and behavioral methods for this population. Students also complete a practicum course designed to demonstrate competencies learned in their coursework. The practicum will be supervised by qualified professionals and will be tailored to each student’s current skills, stated needs, and previous experiences. Curriculum will also include ethical issues related to treatment delivery, the need for supervision by qualified professionals, and the limits of candidates’ individual skills.

In addition, certificate coursework will comply with the proposed competencies for Special Education Teachers working with Students with ASD. These competencies were developed in collaboration with the various groups and agencies that work with this population and the Minnesota Autism Project and Network.

The certificate program is offered through the college’s Department of Educational Psychology (EdPsych) and the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at the University of Minnesota’s College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

Admission

Admission requirements to this certificate program include the following criteria. Undergraduate and graduate applicants must fulfill separate admission requirements:

Undergraduate applicants

By the beginning of the program, applicants must have earned at least 60 credit hours with a minimum 2.80 grade point average (GPA). Undergraduate students wishing to complete the certificate must be admitted to a degree program at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.

Graduate applicants

Applicants must have a minimum 2.80 GPA in undergraduate degree and 3.00 in graduate work from accredited institutions.

How to apply

All applicants must also submit the following items:

Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended or are currently attending, including the University of Minnesota. Transcripts can be uploaded directly into the Apply Yourself online application system. For instructions on how to upload your transcripts into the application system, click here.
If you completed coursework at a university outside of the United States, your transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation center. Request a “course-by-course” evaluation. This process can take 4-6 weeks, so please plan in advance. You can use any provider that is an accredited member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A suggested provider of this service is Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), P.O. Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 (414-289-3400, fax: 414-289-3411).
Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can address the applicant’s ability to work in a professional context with this population. Recommendations should be submitted through the online application system. Instructions for submitting recommendations are included in the application.
Typed goal statement (no more than one page)

Application instructions:

LOG IN TO THE ON-LINE APPLICATION SYSTEM TO APPLY TO THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM. Be sure to save your PIN and password so you can access the application system to view your admission status.
When completing “Application Information” you will be asked what type of program you are applying to—choose “Certificate” from the pull down menu. Next you will be asked for your primary program objective—choose “Autism Spectrum Disorders” from the pull down menu. You do not need to select a second or third emphasis. You can skip those boxes and continue to complete the rest of the page.
Continue through the application pages. On the SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL page you will have the opportunity to upload your transcripts and goal statement.
Follow the instructions in the online application system for submission of recommendations.
Be sure to hit SUBMIT after you have completed the application. You will receive a decision notification by email within four to six weeks of submission of your application.
CLICK HERE TO BEGIN THE ON-LINE APPLICATION PROCESS.

Nonnative English speakers and/or international students

All nonnative English speakers must submit an official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Minimum TOEFL score requirements are listed below:

Internet-based test         79-80
Computer-based test         213
Paper-based test              550

Application deadlines

Because applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, applications may be submitted at any time of the year.

All candidates will be notified (via postal mail or electronically) about their admission status within four weeks of application.

Program completion requirements

All coursework must be completed for the certificate. Students will have a maximum of four years to complete coursework for the certificate. Students must maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA in certificate coursework to remain in the program. A minimum grade of B is required for successful completion of the practicum (EPSY 5702).

Completion of certificate requirements will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Curriculum

Required coursework (11 credits)
Students must complete 11 credits of the following coursework:

EPSY 5609—Family-Centered Services (2 cr)
EPSY 5616—Behavior Analysis and Classroom Management (3 cr)
EPSY 5661—Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder (3 cr)
EPSY 5702—Practicum in Autism Spectrum Disorder (3 cr)

Elective coursework (3 credits)
Students must complete an additional 3 credits by completing one of the following three courses:

EPSY 5604—Transition From School to Work and Community Living for Persons With Special Needs (3 cr)
EPSY 5622—Programs and Curricula for Learners with Severe Disabilities (3 cr)
EPSY 5636—Education of Multihandicapped Learners with Sensory Impairments (2 cr [max 3 cr])
EPSY 5656—Social and Interpersonal Characteristics of Students with Disabilities (3 cr)
SLHS 5606—Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems (3 cr)
Other courses may fulfill this requirement with prior approval from the program coordinator.

Note: For course descriptions and schedules, refer to the University of Minnesota Class Schedule at the University’s One Stop student services Web site.

Registration

Currently admitted degree seeking, certificate seeking, or non-degree seeking students may register online for coursework at the University’s One Stop student services Web site.

Students who want to begin certificate coursework before admission to a University of Minnesota degree or certificate program should use the One Stop non-degree registration option.

For questions about registration, contact Student Services at 612-625-5815.

Note: Certificate coursework completed with undergraduate student status cannot be applied to graduate-level degree programs.

Tuition/financial aid

Certificate tuition varies, depending on a student’s enrollment status and residency. Tuition fees are charged according to the following criteria:

Students enrolled in certificate and undergraduate programs pay undergraduate tuition rates.
Students seeking only the certificate pay the CEHD departmental master’s (M.Ed.) tuition rate.
Students enrolled in certificate and master of education (M.Ed.) programs pay the CEHD departmental master’s (M.Ed.) tuition rate.
Students enrolled in Graduate School programs (e.g., M.A., Ph.D., Ed.D.) pay Graduate School tuition rates.

General financial aid advising and information are available through One Stop.

For graduate assistantship/scholarship information (for students enrolled in graduate degree programs), contact the Graduate Assistant Employment office, 200 Donhowe (for mail) or 100 Donhowe (for walk in), Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-624-7070; fax: 612-625-9801.

Program completion requirements

Final certificate clearance depends on completion of all course requirements, including the posting of final grades to the student’s transcript. Students will have a maximum of seven years to complete coursework for the certificate.

In addition to completing all program requirements, students must complete the following form: Graduate Application for Degree/Certificate Form.

The College of Education and Human Development Graduate Student Services clears certificates on a monthly basis. This form must be submitted to One Stop Student Services on or before the first day of the month that the student intends to graduate. Students who submit the form to One Stop Student Services after the first day of the month will be cleared to graduate at the end of the following month.

Successful completion of the certificate will be noted on the student's official University of Minnesota transcript and an official certificate will be issued.

Program faculty

Joe E. Reichle, program coordinator
241 Education Sciences Building
612-625-6542; e-mail: reich001@umn.edu

Susan C. Hupp
246 Education Sciences Building
612-624-1003; e-mail: shupp@umn.edu

Jennifer McComas
347 Education Sciences Building
612-624-5854; e-mail: jmccomas@umn.edu