Purpose of the Program

This 18 credit hour endorsement program of graduate-level courses will enable teachers and other professionals with a prior special education endorsement in Emotional Impairment, Cognitive Impairment or Learning Disabilities to pursue an additional endorsement - specifically in the field of autism.  This program is designed to provide multidisciplinary training experience in competencies to work effectively with individuals with autism in a variety of educational and community settings.  Students can choose to pursue this endorsement alone, or may potentially incorporate it into the Master Teacher program.

Admission Requirements

Admission is through the College of Graduate Studies. Students pursuing this endorsement must have a teaching certificate with a prior special education endorsement, and have met the graduate admission requirements for non-degree status.  Students pursuing the autism endorsement in conjunction with the Master Teacher program must adhere to the corresponding admission requirements for that graduate program.

Applying to the Program

Students who wish to apply to this program should:

• Send a letter of interest to the EHS Center for Student Services office, 421 EHS, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859.
• Include transcripts of all special education courses completed.
• Include a copy of Michigan teaching certificate with teaching endorsement in special education.
  
  Your advisor will be Dr. Suzanne Shellady, 365 EHS, (989) 774-3507.

To Pursue this Program

Students must:

• Apply to the College of Graduate Studies for non-degree or Master's degree status.
• Sign the Endorsement Program in Autism form.

Course Requirements

SPE 530 / PSY 575 (3) Autism Spectrum Disorder: Characteristics and Etiology
                    (prerequisite for all other classes)
SPE 531 (3) Autism Spectrum Disorder: Educational Implications
CDO 550 (3) Communication Assessment and Intervention in Children with
                     Autism Spectrum Disorders
PSY 682 (3) Psychology of Child Development
PSY 586 (3) Applied Behavior Analysis in Education

Final Practicum Course:

SPE 536 (3) Field Experience: Autism

Total: 18 Semester Hours

The above information is additionally available on the Endorsement Program in Autism Form.