Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies
Bring a whole-of-life approach to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Engage with ASD including communication, learning style and behaviour management.
About the Course
Engage with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) including communication, learning style and behaviour management. Benefit from a multi-disciplinary, whole-of-life focus, leading to quality intervention and management for people with ASD.
This degree, offered by the Autism Centre of Excellence, applies a multi-disciplinary, whole-of-life focus to autism. Our approach aligns with the neurodiversity paradigm, and we incorporate the voices of autistic and autism community in each of our courses. The course uses the lecturer content with the voices of lived experience to allow you to gain a foundation in communication and learning in autism, understand how to select and apply evidence-based practices and explore different factors and pathways to understanding and supporting behavioural challenges.
The introduction and overview of autism provided in this graduate certificate covers understanding and supporting behaviours, evidence for interventions, and the changes that have occurred in understanding of ASD over time, creating positive learning environments. You'll understand the importance of each individual's profile of autism characteristics, be able to evaluate how and when these impact on learning or behaviour and be able to understand and explain relationships between family and cultural experiences with autism and critique current models of disability.
The evidence that underpins our knowledge of autism, and the various proactive and reactive strategies that are prevalent and emerging in supporting individuals on the autism spectrum, is an essential part of this certificate. You will critically evaluate the research support for intervention practices that address the strengths and needs of individuals with autism and how to apply them in practice while working collaboratively with people with autism and those who work or live with them.
Course Entry Requirements
To be eligible for entry to the Graduate Certificate program applicants must have the following:
- Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.5 (using a 7.0 scale)
- OR a qualification leading to professional registration (for example Nursing)
- OR five years of relevant work experience.
Note: This is a postgraduate level program and students will need to be competent in oral and written communication skills to successfully complete the program.
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:
- A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
- OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
- OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
- OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
- OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
- OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.
English test results must be no more than two years old.
International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree. The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.
Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University policy for exceptions to these overall requirements:
Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:
- Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
- Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
- Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.
Course Structure
Recommended study pattern
As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:
- Understanding Autism
- Evaluating the evidence: What counts?
- Autism, Education and Learning
- Managing Behaviours that Challenge
As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.
Award requirements
To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies (GCertAutismSt), a student must acquire 40 credit points as prescribed below:
- gain 40 credit points for the prescribed subjects.
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies degree will develop and demonstrate a comprehensive and specialised knowledge of theory and skills related to outcomes for individuals with autism and their families and will apply this knowledge to application in the development and implementation of programs that allow individuals with autism to achieve quality outcomes.
