Graduate Certificate – Education of Students with Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
An online certificate designed for parents, educators, and other community members interested in gaining practical knowledge and interventions to support children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in pre-K through 12th grade educational settings.

Contact Us
Faculty Lead
Tamara Marder, PhD, BCBA-D
[email protected]
Senior Academic Program Administrator
Julianne Taylor
443-927-0142
[email protected]
Graduate Certificate – Education of Students with Autism and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
At A Glance

Format
PART-TIME

Location
ONLINE

Credits
18

Start Term
FALL

Completion Time
1 – 3 years

Application Deadline
ROLLING
Application requirements and deadlines
Graduate Certificate: Education of Students with Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders | ||
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Enrollment: | Part-Time | |
Start Terms: | Fall | |
Application Deadline: | Rolling |
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Application Requirements: | ||
Online application form | ||
$80.00 application fee | ||
Essay: | ||
A 500-word essay discussing the reasons you wish to pursue a degree at Johns Hopkins University, focusing on your long-term goals and how your academic program will complement those goals. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses in your academic background, as well as any additional comments that will assist in evaluating your application materials. Essays should be submitted in a typed format on a separate sheet of paper. | ||
Letters of Recommendation: Two letters from individuals who can speak to your work with children with disabilities | ||
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended | ||
Interview: A select number of applicants may be invited for an interview | ||
International Applicants | Please visit the International Student Admissions webpage for additional application requirements. Note: This program is delivered in a fully online format and does not offer F-1 or J-1 visa sponsorship for international students. |
Tuition and fees
Tuition and fees are subject to change for ensuing academic years, and will be updated on the School of Education website accordingly.
Master's Degree and Certificate Programs | |
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On-Site/Face-to-Face Graduate Education Courses (All master’s degree and graduate certificate programs except where listed below) | $918 per credit |
Online Graduate Education Courses* (All master's degree and graduate certificate programs except where listed below) | $972 per credit + $20 per credit Technology Fee |
Counseling On-Site/Face-to-Face Courses | $936 per credit |
Counseling Online Courses | $991 per credit + $20 per credit Technology Fee |
Digital Age Learning & Ed. Technology & Grad Cert. Technology Integration (DALET) - Online Courses | $991 per credit + $20 per credit Technology Fee |
Education Policy Courses | $1,365 per credit (all formats, online or in-person) |
M.Ed. Education in the Health Professions & Post-Master's Certificate in Evidence-Based Teaching in the Health Professions programs (MEHP) Courses | $1,452 per credit** **Classes in the Master of Education in the Health Professions (MEHP) or Post-Master's Certificate in Evidence-Based Teaching in the Health $1,452 per credit, except for Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System employees, who have assessed tuition at $850 per credit. |
MS in Education International Teaching and Global Leadership Cohort Program | $50,400 Program Tuition + $1,500 Technology Fee |
Webinar
Admissions Information
Related Programs
- Master of Science in Special Education: Severe Disabilities with an Emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Master of Science in Special Education: Mild-to-Moderate Disabilities
- Post-Master’s Certificate – Applied Behavior Analysis
- Master of Science in Education – Educational Studies (Individualized Interdisciplinary Program of Study)

I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity to be in the presence of some of the best researchers and clinicians in the world. Now when I practice my skills in the real world, I feel like I am channeling the lessons and skills of different teachers.
Neha Aamir, MS ’19
Graduate Certificate – Education of Students with Autism and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Program Description
This certificate in Autism Education is ideal for parents, certified educators, educational support personnel, and any community members interested in gaining practical knowledge for supporting children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The rigorous program addresses the wide range of competencies needed to provide educational programming for students diagnosed with autism and other pervasive disorders.
Students who complete the coursework will work in pre-K through 12th grade educational settings and learn to describe and define the developmental aspects, theoretical background, descriptive characteristics, and diagnostic characteristics of ASD. Likewise, they will be able to define, identify, and implement evidence-based practices to address the educational needs of students with ASD and learn research methods to evaluate and measure the effectiveness of behavioral interventions and instructional procedures. Finally, they will develop instructional programs based on assessment results to increase desired behaviors or skills and decrease undesired behaviors on an individual or group basis.
Graduate Certificate – Education of Students with Autism and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Core Faculty
Tamara Marder
Graduate Certificate – Education of Students with Autism and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
PROGRAM PLAN
Program Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with an average of B (3.0 on a four-point scale) or above, or hold a graduate degree from an accredited institution. Official transcripts from all postsecondary colleges or universities; an essay or personal statement; two letters of recommendation; resume or curriculum vitae; and TOEFL or IELTS score (if applicable) are also required.
Coursework
The following six courses are required (for a total of 18 credits):
871.510 Legal Aspects, Service Systems, and Current Issues in Special Education
877.551 Survey of Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
877.553 Classroom Programming for Students with Autism
877.555 Teaching Communication and Social Skills
877.550 Inclusive Practices for Autism Spectrum Disorders
877.513 Education of Students with Severe Disabilities: Augmentative Communication Systems
Course Information
Course descriptions, locations, and availability
Graduate Certificate – Education of Students with Autism and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
WHAT TO EXPECT
Student Outcomes
Describe and define the developmental aspects, theoretical background, descriptive characteristics, and diagnostic characteristics of autism (ASD).
Define, identify, and implement evidence-based practices to address the educational needs of students with ASD within an educational setting (pre-K through 12th grade).
Utilize research methods to evaluate and measure the effectiveness of behavioral interventions and instructional procedures within an educational setting (pre-K through 12th grade).
Design, implement, and evaluate an instructional program based on assessment results to increase a desired behavior or skill and decrease undesired behaviors for individual students or a group of students in an educational setting (pre-K through 12th grade).
Graduate Certificate – Education of Students with Autism and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many credits/courses are included in the Graduate Certificate in Autism?
This 18-credit certificate is designed for parents, certified educators, educational support personnel, and interested members of the community to gain practical knowledge for supporting children and adults diagnosed with autism. The program addresses the wide range of competencies that are necessary for the provision of effective educational programming for students who are diagnosed with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders.
What is the expected time frame for completion of Graduate Certificates?
This certificate can be completed in 1 year, across three semesters (fall, spring, summer). The School of Education allows students enrolled in its graduate certificate programs up to three years to complete all degree requirements.
How are the online courses set up?
All fully online courses utilize the Blackboard learning management system. Course content is generally set up by sessions or weeks. Each session begins on Monday and ends on a Sunday. Sessions can be one to two weeks in length. During each session, you will complete readings that may include chapters from the text or articles from professional journals. You will also view videos and watch presentations that complement the text-based materials. Readings and media may be integrated within a specific activity. You will also participate in online learning activities, which include the use of discussion forums for whole-class and team activities and other tools for collaborative assignments. You generally will also complete one or two major assessments for each course.
Are applicants eligible for special education certification?
While students who graduate from this program will earn a certificate from Johns Hopkins University, this is not the same as certification in special education. Students who are interested in certification should explore our master’s degree programs in special education.
Graduate Certificate – Education of Students with Autism and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURE
In accordance with U.S. Department of Education regulations, the School of Education is required to disclose select information for all Title IV eligible gainful employment (GE) programs. To see the most recent data available for this GE program, please view the attached disclosure.
Gainful Employment Disclosure – 2019
Program Name: Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Education of Students with Autism and Other
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
This program is designed to be completed in 12 months.
This program will cost $17,250 if completed within normal time. There may be additional
costs for living expenses. These costs were accurate at the time of posting, but may have
changed.
Of the students who completed this program within normal time, the typical graduate leaves
with $ [XX,XXX] of debt.
Too few graduates to report median debt.
Program does not meet licensure requirements in the following States: Maryland
For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment
earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here:
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/.