Program Overview

In large part due to increased awareness and improved identification, schools are serving more autistic students. The need for professionals trained to educate this population has also increased. Florida State’s online Autism Spectrum Disorder graduate certificate program offers you a unique opportunity to gain invaluable skills and learn best practices for teaching individuals on the autism spectrum.

Teachers enrolled in the program who are already licensed in the state of Florida in Exceptional Student Education (grades K-12) will be eligible for the Autism Endorsement from the Florida Department of Education upon completion of this program. This endorsement can increase marketability and open new job opportunities, particularly in serving students with autism. The online graduate certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder at Florida State is particularly suited for practicing professionals working in educational settings and for individuals pursuing a graduate degree with an interest in providing direct services to individuals with autism.

Note: The ASD certificate program does not lead to a graduate degree. Looking for our master's program in Curriculum & Instruction? Click here!

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Apply to the Certificate

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Note: You must apply for admission to the university first, either as a non-degree seeking or degree-seeking student.

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Funding Opportunity (limited time)

We are recruiting three professional cohorts for Fall 2026, 2027, and 2028. Selected scholars will receive a tuition waiver, a course materials stipend, and an invitation to a summer professional development training. While all teachers are eligible, priority will be given to those holding a temporary license. Applications will be accepted until July 15.

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Admission Requirements

Admission to a certificate program is required. Students are not enrolled in a certificate program by virtue of being enrolled in related courses. Students must first apply to and be admitted to both the university and to the certificate program in order to be considered enrolled. The following are required for admission to the program:

  • An undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution with a minimum of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student.
  • Students currently enrolled in a graduate degree program must have a 3.0 GPA in their graduate coursework.

Step 1: Apply for admission to the University (select one):

  • Non-Degree Seeking. Applicants must meet deadlines for submitting a non-degree seeking application (available here) and pay the non-refundable application fee before formal admittance to the program. 
  • Degree Seeking

Florida Residency Form: If you are a Florida resident, you must complete the Florida Residency Affidavit, even if you were previously designated a Florida Resident by the university. If you do not complete this form, you will be classified as a non-Florida resident for tuition purposes.

Step 2: Complete the ASD Certificate Admissions Form. Important: The online Certificate Admissions Form must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the end of the semester in which the second certificate course is completed.

Step 3: Submit additional application materials to the program coordinator, Dr. Addie McConomy.

  1. A personal statement explaining their interest in attaining the certificate,
  2. Official transcripts
  3. Resume (non-degree seeking students only)

Course/Degree Requirements

To earn the graduate certificate, you must complete the required courses within 7 years of enrolling in the program and earn a minimum of a 3.0 (grade of B or better) in each required course. After all certificate coursework is completed, but not later than 2 weeks after grades post, submit a Certificate Completion Form. Completion forms approved by the program coordinator and OASIS will then be forwarded to the Registrar's Office for processing and posting and posting to the student's official transcript.

Required Courses:

Fall

  • EEX 5210: Assessment and Diagnosis of ASD and ID (3 credits)
  • EEX 5286:  Preparing Individuals for Adulthood (3 credits)

Spring

  • EEX 5248: Positive Behavior Support (3 credits)

Summer 

  • EEX 5298: Teaching Students with ASD (3 credits)

Total Credits: 12 Credits

 

Signature Tasks

There are select assignments in your courses that will be used as evidence that you meet professional standards required of the ASD certificate. You will receive an email from OASIS about purchasing a subscription to a student learning platform. This is where you will upload your signature task assignments into a portfolio. You should upload signature tasks to the portfolio the same semester that you complete the assignment. The following are the assignments (and corresponding course) that are signature tasks that need to be included in your ASD portfolio on the Student Learning & Licensure Platform.

  • Assessment Profile (EEX 5210)
  • Exam (EEX 5210)
  • Communication Intervention Project (EEX 5298)
  • Positive Behavior Support Plan (EEX 5248)
  • Research-to-Practice Lesson Plan (EEX 5286)
  • Transition Assessment Project (EEX 5286)

Tuition & Aid

Information about tuition and fees can be found here. Please note that you may incur costs associated with the purchase of books/materials for courses. Students are required to purchase access to a Student Learning and Licensure (SLL) Platform.

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