About this Program

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects 1 out of 68 children. This autism certificate program is designed to prepare teachers and related service providers to effectively work with and provide support for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Program Highlights

  • Coursework can be completed separately from, or integrated into, the ODU Master's Degree in Education with a Major in Special Education.

  • Certificate consists of four graduate level courses (12 credit hours).

  • Courses are offered in on campus, online (asynchronous), and web conferencing (synchronous) modalities.

  • Several courses include field-based learning opportunities.

Careers

Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

$48,430 Median Salary

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

School Psychologists

$81,330 Median Salary

Investigate processes of learning and teaching and develop psychological principles and techniques applicable to educational problems.

Adapted Physical Education Specialists

$60,750 Median Salary

Provide individualized physical education instruction or services to children, youth, or adults with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments.

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School

$61,960 Median Salary

Teach elementary school subjects to educationally and physically handicapped students. Includes teachers who specialize and work with audibly and visually handicapped students and those who teach basic academic and life processes skills to the mentally impaired.

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Autism at ODU?
Students entering the Certificate program in Autism should meet the minimum university admission requirements Graduate Admission.
  • Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university

  • Admission to Old Dominion University as a non-degree seeking graduate student

  • Cumulative GPA of 2.80 for all college credit courses taken in the baccalaureate degree program

  • Passing Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educator Tests or equivalent assessments scores

  • Submission of an application to the ODU Autism Certificate program

Cost of Attendance

We believe in providing students with transparent and accessible information about the cost of attendance. 

Review the estimated tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year (subject to change). Non-resident rates are charged for anyone who is not a current Virginia resident, including international students.

Virginia Resident
Cost Per-Credit $620
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States
Cost Per-Credit $642
Non-Resident
Cost Per-Credit $1,486

Ways to Fund Your Degree

There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion University, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.

Contact

Graduate Program Director

241 LIONS CHILD STUDY CTR
NORFOLK, 23529