Autism Spectrum Disorders Endorsement/Certificate

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Autism - University of Pittsburgh Certificate Program / Pennsylvania Department of Education Endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorders

The University of Pittsburgh School of Education Autism Certificate is a 15-credit program designed to enrich the knowledge and skills of teachers and other practitioners in the area of autism. The program will focus on the characteristics and etiology of autism; assessment and instructional programming for language/communication, social skills, and academic subjects across settings and grade levels; and family, interagency, and community collaboration.

For those with a Pennsylvania Department of Education Level I or Level II teaching certificate, the program also fulfills the Pennsylvania Department of Education Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Endorsement requirements. The list of possible certifications to which the endorsement might be added includes but is not limited to the following: regular and special education, school psychologist, principal, guidance counselor, speech and language clinician, occupational and physical therapist, reading specialist, and home and school visitor.

The following groups of individuals are encouraged to apply:

• Post- Baccalaureate or Post-Master’s students who possess a Pennsylvania Department of Education Level I or Level II teaching certificate and are interested in obtaining the PDE Program Endorsement in Autism
• Post-Baccalaureate or Post-Master’s students who do not have a teaching certificate, but who are interested in enhancing their credentials in the area of Autism
• Degree-seeking Master’s students who are currently enrolled in a program that leads to a Pennsylvania Department of Education Level II teaching certificate and who are interested in obtaining the PDE Program Endorsement in Autism
• Degree-seeking Master’s and Ph.D. students who do not have a teaching certificate, but who are interested in enhancing their credentials in the area of Autism