Graduate Certificate in Autism and Emotional/Behavioral Disorders

The Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development offers a Graduate Certificate program for qualified post-baccalaureate students in Autism and Emotional/Behavioral Disorders. This program has two tracks, one leading to an Autism Endorsement from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the other that contributes generally to student knowledge of autism and emotional/behavioral disorders but does not lead to the Autism endorsement. Students who are successful in completing this program will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to teach students with autism and emotional/behavioral disorders. Specifically, the learning outcomes are as follows.

Students will:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of autism and emotional/behavioral disorders and their definition under state and federal special education laws and describe how they impact students’ experiences in schools.
  • Plan, implement, and evaluate individualized and assessment-based instruction for students with autism and emotional/behavioral disorders using evidence-based practices.
  • Demonstrate a disposition and articulate a teaching philosophy that promotes equity, includes collaboration with families, and reflects the principles of inclusive education for students with autism and emotional/behavioral disorders.
  • Engage in a professional manner with colleagues, students, and families.
  • Use data to inform decisionmaking in their classroom, as well as use existing data and current research to guide their practice.

The Autism Endorsement track is available to students already enrolled in the EdM program in Special Education or who hold an Initial or Professional license as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities, Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities, Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, or Teacher of the Visually Impaired. Students who successfully complete the Autism Endorsement track will be able to receive the MA DESE Autism Endorsement upon completion of the courses articulated in the Certificate program.

A second non-endorsement Graduate Certificate track will provide a specialization opportunity for students who would like deeper knowledge in autism and emotional/behavioral disorders but are not seeking the endorsement. This track is available to all graduate students in the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development and non-matriculated post-baccalaureate students seeking this knowledge.

Requirements for the two Graduate Certificate tracks are provided below. Please note, prior coursework may be submitted for review to determine equivalency. If determined to be equivalent, required courses listed may be waived as a part of the certificate program.

Autism Endorsement Track (26 credits)

Note: This track will include professionals who already hold licensure as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities, Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities, Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing and students enrolled in the EdM in the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development concurrently seeking those licensures.

Requirements

  • SED SE 502 Behavioral and Emotional Problems: Characteristics and Methods (4 cr)
  • SED SE 534 Classroom and Behavior Management (2 cr)
  • SED SE 535 Understanding Autism (2 cr)
  • SED SE 536 Assessment and Instruction of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (4 cr)
  • SED SE 593 Student Teaching Practicum: Moderate Disabilities PreK–8 (requires placement that includes students with autism) (8 cr) or
    SED SE 594 Student Teaching Practicum: Moderate Disabilities 5–12 (requires placement that includes students with autism) (8 cr) or
    SED SE 595 Student Teaching Practicum: Severe Disabilities (requires placement that includes students with autism) (8 cr) or
    SED SE 596 Practicum with Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (4 cr) (150 hours) for those already holding license in special education and are adding DESE Autism Endorsement
  • SED SE 601 Parent and Professional Collaboration (2 cr)
  • SED SE 613 Fieldwork in Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (2 cr) or
    SED SE 615 Fieldwork in Special Education: Severe Disabilities (2 cr) (requires placement focused on autism)

Non-Endorsement Track

Note: This track will be open to all post-baccalaureate educational professionals.

Prerequisites

  • SED SE 706 Introduction to Special Education (4 cr)

Requirements (18 credits)

  • SED SE 502 Behavioral and Emotional Problems: Characteristics and Methods (4 cr)
  • SED SE 534 Classroom and Behavior Management (2 cr)
  • SED SE 535 Understanding Autism (2 cr)
  • SED SE 536 Instruction and Intervention for Students with Autism and Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (4 cr)
  • SED SE 601 Parent and Professional Collaboration (4 cr)
  • SED SE 613 Fieldwork in Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (2 cr) or
    SED SE 615 Fieldwork in Special Education: Severe Disabilities (requires placement focused on autism)