Nov 24, 2024  
2013-2014 Graduate Catalog 
    
2013-2014 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Degree Programs and Graduate Certificates

 

Department of Human Development and Child Studies
405B Pawley Hall  (map)
(248) 370-3077 • Fax (248) 370-4242
http://www.oakland.edu/sehs/hdcp/    

► Apply Online

► Class Schedule Search

Federal Gainful Employment Disclosure

 

Coordinator:
Carol A. Swift
405A Pawley Hall
(248) 370-3067
swift@oakland.edu

 

Program description

The courses for the graduate certificate program (Options A and B) and the area of concentration within the corresponding degree program meet the state requirements for an endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The credits for the graduate certificate program in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) vary from 24 to 42. Completion of a practicum is required for those seeking an endorsement from the state. Students should contact the program coordinator to confirm application procedures for the practicum and submission deadlines.

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

  • July 15 for fall semester
  • November 15 for winter semester
  • March 15 for summer semester
Readmission and program transfer

Requests for readmission and program transfers must be completed and approved prior to the beginning of a semester.

International application deadlines

International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment in the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission. International applicants are not eligible for Special Graduate classification.

Special Graduate classification

Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission, may contact the department and request Special Graduate temporary admission.  The applicant must submit an Application for Admission to Graduate Study, plus a copy of a transcript providing evidence of a bachelor’s degree awarded and any specific evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study as required by the department.  Up to 12 credits may be earned in the Special Graduate classification. Admission as a special graduate student in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree or graduate certificate program.

Students may request special graduate classification beginning  with the dates below.

  • August 1 for fall semester
  • December 1 for winter semester
  • April 1 for summer semester

Note: Special Graduate classification will not be granted after the first week of classes in a semester.

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following university and program application documents by the published application deadlines.

University graduate application requirements
  • Application for Admission to Graduate Study      
  • Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
  • Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
    • As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
  • Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
  • Proof of English language proficiency
  • International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate. 

Program application requirement
  • Supplemental Application Form 
  • The recommendations must be from those who can attest to the applicant’s potential for successful graduate study
  • (Options A or B) Copy of current (or most recent) teaching certificate or verification of pending certificate
  • (Options D and E) A master’s degree in one of the following areas is preferred, as they are pre-approved by the BACB: Education, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Engineering, and Medicine. Other disciplines will be considered. Individuals admitted without a master’s degree must ultimately complete this degree prior to sitting for the national exam.
  • (Options D and E) An interview may be required.
  • Goal statement, which includes the reason for application, the intended focus of graduate study, a description of professional experiences and accomplishments, and professional and career goals.

Admission requirements

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.

To be admitted to the graduate certificate program in full standing, the applicant must have an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0, but with an appropriate academic background and strong letters of recommendation, may be considered for admission in limited standing. Students who qualify for this admission classification must complete a maximum of 12 credits of graduate coursework with a grade of 3.0 or above in each course within the first three academic terms from the time of initial enrollment.

Option A (19 credits)


Requires an applicant to hold a prior special education endorsement in Michigan. Meets state requirements for the teaching endorsement.

Option B (27 credits)


Requires an applicant to hold, or be eligible for, a valid teaching certificate in the state of Michigan. Meets state requirements for the teaching endorsement.

Option C (24-32 credits)


For individuals who wish to increase their expertise in Autism Spectrum Disorder but are not seeking the state-approved teaching endorsement.

Course requirements


a. Core courses*


b. Electives/Concentration (20 credits)


 (Other courses may be approved at the adviser’s discretion as new courses are developed.)

Option D (28-32 credits) Applied Behavior Analysis - Intensive


Option D of the Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder provides specific course content in behavioral principles and techniques and practicum hours that, once approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), will fulfill the course and practicum hours required for the certificate. Applicants will also have to pass the exam required by the BACB.

Option E (18 credits) Applied Behavior Analysis - Basic


Option E of the Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder is designed to include the course content required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. (BACB).

Program completers will receive an internal certificate of completion only. This certificate option does not include practicum credit, and in order to be eligible for the BCBA certificate, the student must subsequently complete 1500 supervised practicum hours according to BACB requirements and pass the national exam. Arrangement of the practicum hours is the responsibility of the student. The student must also hold a master’s degree prior to sitting for the exam. If the degree is not in a BACB pre-approved area, it is the student’s responsibility to make a case to the BACB for an exception.

Satisfactory academic progress


Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.

Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details.

Good academic standing


All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.

Good academic standing is a requirement for:

  • Holding a Graduate Assistantship
  • Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
  • Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
  • Going on a leave of absence
  • Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.

Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.

Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.

Related program information


Plan of study

All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted by the student to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.

Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework.

Note:  Credit granted for successful completion of a course toward an undergraduate degree program may not be repeated for a graduate degree. If a substitution is approved, the minimum number of program-approved graduate credits will be required. A Petition of Exception - OU Course Waiver/ Substitution requesting the substitution must be approved.

Relationship to the Master of Education in Special Education


Requirements for the certificate and endorsement programs are contained within the degree programs. Courses taken in an endorsement or certificate program may apply to the M.Ed. if taken within the six-year time frame allowed for the degree.

 

 

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Degree Programs and Graduate Certificates