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

Coordinator:
Erica Ruegg
425F Pawley Hall
(248) 370-2894
ruegg@oakland.edu

Program Description

The courses for this graduate certificate program lead to an internal certificate only and are not intended to fulfill requirements for licensing by the State or any professional organization. The course selection is flexible to allow individuals to enhance their professional expertise or personal knowledge in the area of autism.

Admission Terms and Application Deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Oakland University Graduate School by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications may not be sent to departments for admission review.

July 15 for fall semester
International applicants

Application Requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines:

Graduate application requirements
Additional department application requirements

Recommendation for Graduate Admission form:
Two recommendations must be from faculty members or professionals in the field who can evaluate the scholarly achievement and potential of the applicant.
A copy of any professional credentials, such as state or professional license
A personal statement that includes commitment to program, related experience and particular skills that would contribute to success in the program, and professional goals subsequent to completion of the program
Interview may be required for candidates under consideration, with a written response to one or more questions posed during the interview process.
Requirements for recommendations:
The recommendation forms must be from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s potential for successful graduate study.

Admission Review and Assessment

Admission to graduate school at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Oakland University Graduate School, 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.

Graduate Certificate Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Autism for Multiple Disciplines is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 24 credits in an approved program of study. This certificate is designed for individuals who wish to increase their knowledge and expertise in autism but are not seeking the State-approved teaching endorsement.

Course Requirements (24 credits)

a. Core Courses (4 credits)

course Legal Issues in Special Education (4 credits)

b. Electives/Concentration (20 credits)

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

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 (B).

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 the Oakland University Graduate School Office.

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. (See the Graduate Student Responsibility section of this catalog.)

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.

For Graduation specifics that students must complete on time, click Graduation and Commencement.

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 the courses are transferred to the M.Ed. program before completion of the endorsement/certificate program (i.e., requirement is students have a three-year time frame for completion of the certificate program) and if courses are taken within the six-year time frame allowed for the degree.

Autism for Multiple Disciplines

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