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 (pending approval). The other that generally contributes to student knowledge of autism and emotional/behavioural disorders. However, it 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/behavioural disorders. Specifically, the learning outcomes are as follows.

Students will:

Demonstrate knowledge of autism and emotional/behavioural 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/behavioural 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/behavioural disorders.

Engage professionally with colleagues, students, and families.

Use data to inform decision-making in their classroom and use existing data and current research to guide their practice.

The Autism Endorsement Track will be 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. Pending state approval, students on the Autism Endorsement Track will 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/behavioural disorders but are not seeking the endorsement. This track will be 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, the required courses listed may be waived as a part of the certificate program.