Program Quick Facts
12 Credits
With just 12 credits, you become highly qualified to support children on the autism spectrum.
100% Online
Flexible, online classes make it easier to reach your goals while balancing work and family life.
Affordable Tuition
NMSU Global Campus offers competitively priced tuition and scholarship opportunities.
Learn the Best Methods for Helping Students and Their Families
The Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders at NMSU Global Campus prepares you to support children — and the families of children — who are on the autism spectrum. With this 100% online graduate certificate, you’ll be highly qualified as a school psychologist, social worker, special education teacher, and educational diagnostician.
In just 1-2 years, you’ll learn patterns of development in ASD, theories of underlying deficits and strengths, general and specific strategies of intervention, and methods of evaluating effectiveness as recommended by the National Research Council. You also have the opportunity to study classroom-based approaches to communication, behavior, and social development.
Apply NowCareer Pathways
After completing this 100% online Autism Spectrum Disorders graduate certificate at NMSU Global Campus, you may wish to pursue these kinds of professional roles:
- Autism Education Associate
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Development Lead
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Consultant
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist
- Autism Support Professional
- Care Coordinator
- Disability Management Specialist
- Special Education Teacher
“You don't have to travel to campus and do in-person classes. With NMSU Global Campus, you can do it online at your own pace. You can be flexible and at home in your own environment.”
Rita D., Class of 2024
Throughout the four required courses for the Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders, you’ll thoroughly study the triad of impairments in ASD.
You’ll begin with an overview of the triad of impairments, including historical and theoretical perspectives, assessment issues, characteristics of autism, intervention programs, and family issues. Your three subsequent courses offer thorough analysis of each element in the triad.
In your course on the first triad, you’ll gain an understanding of how children with autism behave and examine how behavior management philosophies and research-based interventions can be applied in educational settings, particularly to play skills.
Your course on the second triad explores ASD social skill deficits and effective interventions, blending research-based models and evidenced-based practical applications.
Your course on the third triad gives you an overview of communication characteristics and difficulties associated with ASD. In this final course, you’ll review current strategies to assess speech, language, and interaction skills, and you’ll explore a variety of intervention strategies that are aimed at building receptive, expressive, and pragmatic language in children at all levels of the autism spectrum.
Delivery Format: 100% online
Program Credits: 12 credits
Program Length: 1-2 Year
Cost Per Credit Hour: $444.40**
Active Military Cost Per Credit Hour: $250*
College: Health, Education, and Social Transformation
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The Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders consists of 12 credits, and it’s designed for students at the master’s or doctoral level. Admission requirements include:
- Three letters of recommendation
- A statement of purpose
| Sample Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| SPED 5310: Introduction to Autism | 3 |
| SPED 5320: Behavior and Autism | 3 |
| SPED 5330: Social Skills and Autism | 3 |
| SPED 5340: Communication and Autism | 3 |
At NMSU Global Campus, we strive to offer competitively priced tuition to keep your tuition costs affordable. If you need financial aid, we’re ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.
Financial assistance includes loans, grants, and scholarship opportunities. To apply, use NMSU’s convenient Scholar Dollar$ one-stop scholarship application, which serves all students in the NMSU system.
NMSU and NMSU Global Campus students are also eligible for loans and grants. The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more about financial aid opportunities at NMSU.
Contact Financial Aid
Phone: 1-888-729-6678
Email: onlineFA@nmsu.edu
Accreditation
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Specialized accreditation from other accrediting agencies is also granted for some programs. NMSU’s accreditation ensures that your education meets high-quality standards and that your credits are transferable.
*Terms and conditions apply.
**For NMSU Global Campus programs and courses, the per credit hour cost is listed above. Special tuition agreements (Western Undergraduate Exchange, Descubre, etc.) are not applicable to NMSU Global Campus programs. Course fees still apply and are charged separately. Textbooks, uniforms, equipment, etc., are additional program costs. Additional per credit costs might be charged by the program, department or college.