Autism Certificates

The online Advanced ASMD is geared to special educators, general educators, related service providers and school psychologists. Students must hold a master’s degree for admission, and many of them have these credentials:

• A certificate for teaching special education, the deaf and hearing-impaired, the blind and partially sighted, and the speech- and hearing-handicapped
• A certificate in early childhood special education, childhood special education, middle childhood special education, adolescence special education, deaf and hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired, and speech and language disabilities

Students in the Advanced ASMD can choose the Autism Specialization or Severe or Multiple Disabilities Specialization. Completion of either leads to the New York State Annotation in Severe and Multiple Disabilities and may apply to certificate extension requirements in other states.

The Advanced Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders attracts a broad range of students worldwide who work or are interested in working with children and adults on the autism spectrum. They may hold positions as educators, health care providers, therapists or program managers in settings ranging from schools, clinics and hospitals, to group homes and rehabilitation centers. Students who desire an autism specialist certification online and hold an undergraduate degree in any subject can apply for admittance.

In addition to a completed application for graduate admission and in accordance with graduate admissions requirements set forth by the Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, candidates must submit:

Advanced Autism Spectrum Disorders/Advanced Autism and Severe or Multiple Disabilities:

• Official transcripts showing a minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA on a four-point scale
• Final undergraduate transcripts stating proof of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution or international equivalent
• A 500-word essay detailing reasoning for the pursuit of this certificate
• Two letters of recommendation
• Current resume
• $60 application fee
• International Students whose native language is not English must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 80 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5. International students in this program are not eligible for an F-1 visa.

Advanced Autism and Severe or Multiple Disabilities:
In addition to all of the requirements listed above, Advanced ASMD applicants must also provide official transcripts showing a minimum 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA and final graduate transcripts stating proof of a master’s degree.

GRE is not required for admission to these certificate programs.

Accepted students have two opportunities to start the advanced certificate programs in the Fall or Spring semesters. Autism certification candidates are encouraged to submit their completed applications two weeks before their desired start date.

Autism certification candidates will be notified of an admissions decision via letters both from the University Admissions Office and the Ruth S. Ammon School of Education within 48 hours of submitting a completed application.

All candidates must submit official transcripts for all schools where credits were earned toward the conferred degree.

Official eScripts can be sent to our office electronically (directly from the institution) to graduateadmissions@adelphi.edu, or via mail (in sealed envelopes) to: