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This Advanced Certificate program was the first in New York to employ a cross-paradigm perspective on working with people on the spectrum. Students learn about the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and learn with those in different fields and disciplines. Students with either bachelor’s or master’s degrees can apply to the 15-credit program, which can be completed in one year and applied toward continuing education credits and salary increments in the Department of Education. Classes are scheduled in the early evening for the convenience of working professionals.
Many of our graduates are working professionals looking to enhance their training and obtain continuing-education credits in order to maintain professional certification. They work in special education, speech-language pathology, school psychology, social work, and occupational and physical therapy. The program helps students to develop skills in research-based approaches, such as applied behavioral analysis, natural learning paradigms, and developmental social-pragmatic approaches to work with children with ASD.
The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2024–25 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.
Provides interdisciplinary foundational and advanced knowledge in the area of autism spectrum disorders, incorporating a range of philosophical, educational, and clinical paradigms that include applied behavioral analysis, discrete trials and natural learning paradigms, and developmental social-pragmatic approaches.
With the prevalence of autism increasing in recent years from one in 1,000 to one in 44*, learning to work with children with autism spectrum disorders has become important to professionals in many fields, including:
Skills in working with individuals on the spectrum are critical not only to people already in these fields, but also to those seeking to enter these fields.
The Brooklyn College Advanced Certificate program in autism spectrum disorders was the first program in New York that has a cross-paradigm perspective to working with individuals on the spectrum. Students enrolled in the program learn about the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches that are available for individuals on the spectrum and learn with those from different fields and disciplines.
Students with either bachelor’s or master’s degrees can apply to the 15-credit ASD certificate. The program can be completed in one year (with a fall, spring, and summer sequence), and can be applied toward continuing education credits and salary increments in the Department of Education. Classes are scheduled in the early evening for the convenience of working professionals.
The course work and practicum opportunities will reflect a range of approaches available for children on the autistic spectrum, including applied behavioral analysis, both discrete trials and natural learning paradigms, and developmental social-pragmatic approaches. Students will participate in lecture, discussion, observation, and practice, incorporating a range of philosophical, educational, and clinical paradigms. Students from varying disciplines, including education, speech-language pathology, school psychology, and occupational and physical therapy, will have the opportunity to train and work collaboratively with future colleagues.
*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022
Applicants must have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in special education, speech-language pathology, or a related field. Applicants must present course work in language acquisition and child development. Additional course work may be required to meet any matriculation deficiency.
An applicant must have earned a baccalaureate degree with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 in the undergraduate major, and a minimum overall GPA of 3.00.
General matriculation and admission requirements of graduate studies are in the section “Admission.”
Fifteen credits of coursework completed with a grade point average of 3.00 or better are required for the advanced certificate. No more than one course with a grade below B may be offered toward the completion of the certificate requirements. Students must complete all of the following courses:
Students will:
Submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
This program accepts nondegree applicants.
Refer to the instructions at Graduate Admissions.
The Advanced Certificate is a collaborative offering by the programs in special education and speech language pathology.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, occurrence of autism has escalated to one in 44. In the last 10 years, the New York City Department of Education has increased its programs across the city to care for autistic children and adults.
Brooklyn College’s Advanced Certificate in autism spectrum disorders program has been designed to reflect a range of research-based approaches available for work with children on the autistic spectrum. These include applied behavioral analysis, natural learning paradigms, and developmental social-pragmatic approaches.
The program attracts professionals from many disciplines, such as education, special education, speech-language pathology, school psychology, social work, and occupational and physical therapy. Students participate in lecture, discussion, observation, and practice, and are given the opportunity to train and work collaboratively with future colleagues.
The program is designed to provide education and training for individuals who have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in education, and who are interested in working with children and adults on the autistic spectrum and their families. It also allows practitioners to meet professional continuing education requirements to maintain existing licensure or certifications.
4400 Boylan Hall E: afuse@brooklyn.cuny.edu P: 718.951.5186
Or contact:
222 West Quad Center 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210 E: grads@brooklyn.cuny.edu P: 718.951.4536
Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
To make an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor, visit:
BC Admissions Appointment Tool
Brooklyn College is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members in the departments of Childhood, Bilingual, and Special Education, and Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.
Students complete internships in public and private schools throughout the New York City region as well as across the United States. The internship is a supervised experience designed to hone the requisite skills and knowledge to work with people on the spectrum.
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