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Autism Specialist Endorsement Certificate
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Credits for Licensure:
15
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Degree:
Post-Master's Certificate
Program Description
As a DESE endorsement, this Autism Specialist Endorsement Certificate recognizes specialized study in Autism by individuals with an Initial or Professional license and two years of teaching experience. This program provides educators in special education with a contextual and practical understanding of the Autism Spectrum and how to support families and schools while meeting the needs of students. The endorsement is not required for licensure or employment in schools. This program requires four courses and a 150-hour field-based experience.
The program and coursework are all online/hybrid.
Autism Specialist Endorsement Certificate Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Autism Specialist Endorsement Certificate are able to meet the unique and complex educational needs of students on the Autism Spectrum, assist public schools in including students on the Autism Spectrum in developing and implementing IEPs and participating in regular education settings, and can assist families of students on the Autism Spectrum to participate meaningfully in their children’s education.
Careers and Further Study
Career options are defined by the educator’s original certificate. However, the Autism Specialist Endorsement indicates that the educator has acquired specialized knowledge and skill in assisting students on the Autism Spectrum. School districts have the authority to require candidates to hold or be eligible for the Autism Specialist Endorsement in addition to the original license.
Curriculum
Courses required may vary based on transcript analysis, reviewed by Program Chair. Courses already taken in this program at Cambridge College will be accepted. One 3-credit graduate-level course from another college or university will be considered.
Please note: If students have already completed ESP607 outside of this program, students are instead required to take ESP630: Social and Psychological Perspectives in Autism Spectrum Disorder
This is a supervised 150-hour field-based experience, 75 hours of which will be completed in a Massachusetts public school, approved private special education school, or educational collaborative. An additional 75 hours will be completed in any school setting working with students with autism. Candidates will also be observed, mentored and assessed during practicum. Seminar includes opportunities to share best practices and learn effective transitions systems, strategies, and supports that produce quality programming/services. Prerequisite: All other requirements and courses in the program must be successfully completed and the practicum setting must be approved.
Senior Instructor
Adjunct Instructor
Admissions
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Admission Test:
No standardized graduate school tests required for admission into non-licensure programs.
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Admissions Office:
1-800-829-4723
- Application Form:
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Application Fee:
$50 ($100 for international students; $100 for EdD)
Program Requirements
Candidates are expected to enter the program based on prerequisite criteria to ensure that they have the prerequisite skills to be effective in the licensure role:
- Valid Massachusetts initial or professional license as: Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities, Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities, Teacher of Visually Impaired, Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
- School of Education requirements for certificate programs.
Other educators interested in participating in these courses are welcome, but will not receive the DESE endorsement unless they meet the requirements listed above.
Health Requirements for Massachusetts Students
The Massachusetts Health Department and Cambridge College require the following of students in Massachusetts:
Immunizations – All students in Massachusetts are required to get certain immunizations before you can register for your first term. See form
Health Insurance – In Massachusetts, undergraduate students taking nine or more credits/term and graduate students taking six or more credits/term must enroll in the College’s health insurance plan. Students who have insurance with comparable coverage may request a waiver. See information and enroll or waive.
School Requirements
See Admissions Requirements for School of Education
International Students
International students need to provide supplemental documentation:
- Official demonstration of English language proficiency
- Supplemental documentation for issuance of I-20
- International transcripts, evaluated by an accepted evaluation service
Transfer Credit
Graduate program applicants, please complete the transfer credit request form if you wish to have prior course work evaluated for transfer. Learn more.
Undergraduate program applicants, once you are accepted, your official transcripts are evaluated for transfer credit.
Tuition
Credits: 15
Cost per Credit: $200
Application Fee: $50
Health Insurance Fee: $3,308 - Required for Massachusetts students. See waiver details on Tuition & Fees page.
Note: Rates are as of June 2023, and are subject to change without notice. Rates apply to all students unless otherwise noted.
Financial Aid
Cambridge College offers financial aid to students in our degree programs who are enrolled at least half-time. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits each term. Graduate and doctoral students must be enrolled in at least 4 credits each term. Learn more
Grants, Scholarships, and Loans
Cambridge College welcomes the opportunity to support your efforts to pay for college. Federal, state, and local resources in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study, including Cambridge College Scholarships, are available to help defray the cost of tuition. Learn more
Getting Your Company to Help
Many companies have tuition assistance programs, designed to help their employees with their professional development. Learn more