Program Overview

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Program Description

The online Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) graduate certificate at George Mason University provides students with the skills needed to successfully enhance opportunities for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This part-time online program prepares professionals and family members to work with children and adults with autism spectrum disorders in school, home, and community settings.

Application Details

Autism Spectrum Disorders Graduate Certificate

• 18 credit hours
• Field experience not required
• Community, school, and agency perspectives addressed
• Emphasis on working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders across their lifespans
• Extensive video case studies of four individuals with ASD

A prior degree in an education-related field or industry experience is not required for admission but is helpful.

Who should apply?

Prospective students of George Mason University's ASD program come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. Many students find special education through their experiences as a substitute teacher, instructional assistant, provisionally licensed teacher, or as professionals from completely different fields who are supporting a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

What are the requirements for admission?

A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or equivalent is required and a GPA of 3.0 is recommended for admission. No testing is required for admission, but test score equivalencies from SAT, ACT, Praxis, etc. may be used to compensate for a slightly lower GPA. All prospective students must adhere to university standards for English proficiency and degree equivalency.

Career Opportunities

The Autism Spectrum Disorders graduate certificate is ideal for:

• School Administrators
• General and Special Educators
• Individuals with a Personal Connection to Autism
• Interventionists
• Psychologists
• Speech and Language Pathologists
• Behavior Analysts
• Physical and Occupational Therapists
• Family Members Touched By Autism

Graduates are prepared for a broad range of special education and administrative positions in schools, private practice, social service agencies, and at-home learning environments.

Courses

Program requirements are subject to change; please refer to the University Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.

Requirements: 18 total credit hours

Courses for George Mason's online ASD graduate certificate are offered in convenient, online formats.

• EDSE 634 Characteristics of Individuals with Autism
• EDSE 620 Supporting the Behavior and Sensory Needs of Individuals with Autism
• EDSE 635 Interventions for Individuals with Autism
• EDSE 636 Supporting Communication and Literacy for Individuals with Autism
• EDSE 637 Autism Across the Lifespan: Collaboration with Critical Partners
• EDSE 638 Autism Spectrum Disorder: Issues in Assessment and Intersectionality

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Tuition is $805 per credit hour. An additional charge of $35 per credit hour applies for a Distance Learning fee.

Financial Aid

For information on loans, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid.

What Makes George Mason's Program Unique?

• George Mason's online certificate program is part-time, and can accommodate busy professional and family schedules while providing a high-quality, immersive student experience.
• An experienced faculty of distinguished scholar-practitioners delivers an education informed by extensive academic and professional experience.
• Coursework is regularly assessed and adjusted in response to demonstrated student proficiencies, purposeful guidance of the organizations served, and scientific advances in the discipline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the workload like?

The Autism Spectrum Disorders graduate certificate program involves lectures, video-based case studies, guest speakers, discussion boards, interactive educational activities, and extension resources.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The 18-credit ASD graduate certificate can be completed in one year.

Can I transfer credits from another University?

Transfer of similar courses from an accredited U.S. college or university may be possible on a case-by-case basis for the online Autism Spectrum Disorders graduate certificate.

When are classes offered?

Classes are offered entirely online in an asynchronous format.

Where can I find course descriptions?

Course descriptions for the ASD certificate are available in the University Catalog.

What tuition assistance is available?

The Office of Student Financial Aid provides information on aid packages for online programs.

How do I receive additional Information?

Prospective students can find information through the University's resources.

How much does it cost to apply?

There is a $75 application fee, but it may be waived at certain times throughout the year.

What are the credit requirements?

Requirements: 18 total credit hours

Courses for George Mason's online ASD graduate certificate are offered in convenient, online formats.