The Understanding Autism Graduate Certificate Program prepares educators to support the complex needs of autistic students using democratic education, self-advocacy and social justice as a critical lens in their work. Candidates who qualify with state requirements can also earn the Massachusetts Autism Endorsement for Educator Licensure upon completion of the program.
Finish in 9 to 12 months.
The Understanding Autism Graduate Certificate Program is designed to prepare educators to support the complex needs of autistic students while keeping equity, social justice, diversity and accessibility at the center of their work.
In this program, students will:
This program includes late afternoon, evening and weekend online course options and is ideal for working professionals. Pursuing a 15-credit graduate certificate may qualify Massachusetts educators for a salary lane change (master's+15 credits).
Stonehill's graduate teacher education programs include unique and effective courses, programs, and opportunities that foster innovation, transformation and leadership. Our curriculum keeps inclusivity central to how we prepare educators for schools, classrooms and community settings.
The 15-to-18-credit Understanding Autism Graduate Certificate features a selection of courses designed to prepare educators to create and lead environments that encompass a range of student needs, including those specific to autism spectrum disorder.
Join us for a virtual information session or drop-in session to learn more about our master’s degree and certificate programs.
Join Stonehill Graduate & Professional Studies for an Open House on Saturday, November 14, to learn more about our programs and the admission process, receive personalized application guidance, and tour campus.
Join us for a virtual professional development seminar on Thursday, November 19, that will discuss strategies for critical literacy instruction, as drawn from Gholdy Muhammad's "Unearthing Joy." It will highlight key strategies for building students' critical reflection skills and, indeed, returning joy to learning.
Stonehill College's graduate teacher education programs prepare educators to lead inclusive learning environments. The College offers master's degree, teacher licensure, community education and graduate certificate program options.
Schools today must strive to be inclusive environments, and educators in our program are prepared to be leaders in creating equitable spaces where difference is valued.
Stonehill College's graduate teacher education programs aim to prepare knowledgeable, reflective, caring and flexible educators who embrace learning, scholarship, community and advocacy in their work. Social justice and democratic education are at the center of our work and underpins all programs, courses and experiences. We believe education can disrupt systems and processes that perpetuate injustice and inequity and embrace diversity and individuality as strengths.
We advance our mission by modeling the creation of democratic spaces in the graduate classroom that reflect equitable, accessible and inclusive learning environments where students' voices and perspectives help to shape the construction and the provision of their learning.
Three tenets guide our program philosophy:
Our graduates:
Stonehill’s graduate teacher education programs recognize the challenges graduate students face in prioritizing work, family, personal and graduate school commitments. Our Graduate Student Support, Access and Success (SSAS) Framework is designed to support students’ success from program start to finish.
Specifically, this approach provides:
From the admission process to graduation, students have a clear understanding of both expectations and the support available to help them achieve their goals.
Graduate & Professional Studies Admission assists students as they explore graduate and professional opportunities offered at Stonehill College.
