Program Overview

Autism Intervention Certificate

Program Overview

The Autism Intervention Certificate is a graduate academic certification program designed to prepare personnel to work with individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This one-year online program provides individuals with knowledge about evidence-based practices, behavior strategies, autism policy, educational programming, and other relevant content to prepare personnel to work with individuals with autism spectrum disorder in various capacities.

Program Details

• Program Type: Graduate Academic Certificate
• Format: Online
• Estimated Time to Complete: 3 semesters
• Credit Hours: 15

Marketable Skills

• Collect, analyze, and interpret data
• Advocate on behalf of underrepresented populations
• Collaborate to improve educational outcomes
• Oral and written communication
• Creative problem-solving

Program Highlights

• Courses are offered on a rotation schedule via two 8-week terms during the fall and spring semesters and 3-week, 5-week, and 10-week terms during the summer.
• All courses are online, providing flexibility for classroom teachers and other educators.
• The College of Education is one of Texas' top producers of teachers, administrators, counselors, and other school professionals.
• The Department of Educational Psychology, which oversees this degree program, is affiliated with various research and intervention centers that provide research and development opportunities for faculty and students.
• The UNT Kristin Farmer Autism Center provides opportunities for research and intervention with individuals with autism.

Career Outlook

Personnel may enter roles as autism specialists in public school settings, coordinator/case managers of home-based family services, life skills coach, or professional advocate.

Program Courses

• Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Examines the history, theories, definitions, and public policies related to ASD. Characteristics, diagnosis, assessment, and instructional interventions used with individuals with ASD across the lifespan are explored.
• Supporting High Functioning Students with Autism in General Education
  • Provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics and educational needs of high functioning students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Requires students to demonstrate knowledge and skills in developing an individualized educational plan (IEP) to be delivered in general education settings, including curricular and instructional accommodations, social interaction and communication skills, behavior support, and other environmental supports.
• Classroom and Behavior Management Strategies for Exceptional Learners
  • Introduces students to the principles and practice of applied behavior analysis (ABA) in school settings involving students with special needs. Focuses on the fusion of scientific or evidence-based practices with ethical principles in the design of a function-based behavior intervention plan (BIP) for a person with a disability who displays behavior problems.
• Educational Programming for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Focuses on the unique programming needs of students with autism spectrum disorder. Specific educational and behavioral interventions are discussed, as well as several of the more controversial therapies. Characteristics and associated features of students with autism are presented.
• Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Focuses on evidence-based practices for the assessment and identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The various components of a comprehensive evaluation are discussed. Various evaluation tools and procedures are reviewed and demonstrated.