Autism Spectrum Disorders (Graduate Certificate)

This certificate welcomes students from a wide range of backgrounds, not only licensed teachers. Applicants include substitute teachers, instructional assistants, provisionally licensed teachers, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, behavior analysts, family members of autistic people and other professionals. A degree in education is not required. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree and a commitment to supporting autistic individuals across the lifespan, from early childhood through adulthood and later life. The program does not require field experience or a practicum. Instead, students engage with in-depth video case studies of four autistic individuals, so the program is accessible to those who do not currently work with autistic individuals. Prospective students who are deciding between this certificate and the full M.Ed. in Special Education can meet with an engagement specialist to compare the two paths.

Yes. The Autism Spectrum Disorders certificate is designed to work as a standalone credential or as a certificate track within George Mason’s online MEd in Special Education. If you complete the certificate first and later decide to pursue the full master’s, the coursework applies directly. You won’t retake courses or lose credits.

This flexibility is a common reason students choose George Mason’s ASD program over single-purpose certificates elsewhere: you can start with a lower-commitment, 18-credit certificate and expand into the 30-credit MEd later without resetting your progress.

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution (or the equivalent), with a GPA of 3.0 recommended. No standardized test is required for admission, though SAT, ACT, or Praxis scores can help offset a GPA slightly below 3.0. A background in education is helpful but not required. Many successful applicants come from adjacent fields like speech-language pathology, behavior analysis, or family caregiving.

Ready to see if you qualify? Start your application or reach out to an engagement specialist with questions about your specific background.

George Mason’s Autism Spectrum Disorder Certificate tuition is $805 per credit hour across 18 total credits, plus a $35-per-credit distance learning fee. A $75 application fee applies, though it’s waived at multiple points throughout the year.

The Office of Student Financial Aid can walk you through loan options, and many students also ask their employer about tuition reimbursement, since this certificate is a common professional-development credential for educators and clinicians.

Not on its own. This certificate is designed for advanced study of Autism Spectrum Disorders, and George Mason is exploring autism-specific licensure pathways in various states, but the program is not intended to fully prepare you for teaching licensure anywhere. Federal regulations require George Mason to disclose whether a program meets licensure requirements in your state. You can check your specific state using the university’s Licensure Disclosure Tool.

If your goal is a teaching license, the ASD certificate is best paired with (or added onto) the full MEd in Special Education rather than pursued alone.

Most students complete the 18-credit, 100% online certificate in about one year, taking courses part-time alongside work or family commitments. Classes are asynchronous, so there are no set meeting times. You’ll complete video-based case studies and coursework on your own schedule within weekly deadlines.

Transfer of similar coursework from an accredited U.S. college or university is possible on a case-by-case basis. George Mason’s graduate transfer credit policies, including how many credits may apply and what documentation is needed, are outlined in the University Catalog. An engagement specialist can do a quick review of your transcript before you apply.

The certificate is 18 total credit hours across six courses: Characteristics of Individuals with Autism, Supporting the Behavior and Sensory Needs of Individuals with Autism, Interventions for Individuals with Autism, Supporting Communication and Literacy for Individuals with Autism, Autism Across the Lifespan: Collaboration with Critical Partners, and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Issues in Assessment and Intersectionality. All courses are delivered online and include extensive video case studies rather than an in-person practicum.