Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder Program & Application Information

How do I apply?

1. Go to http://www.unm.edu/apply/ to complete the online Graduate Application. There is a non-refundable application fee
   (paid with credit card online as part of your Graduate Application).
2. Click “Albuquerque Campus Applications”.  
3. Click “Graduate Application”. It will take you to Graduate & Professional Program page.    
4. Create an account. Follow the Submission Instructions below and submit your online application. Every degree or certificate program needs a separate application.  Even if you are a current student, this step still needs to be completed for the ASD Certificate.

• One official transcript from each college you have attended. Official transcripts must be sent to Office of Admissions. (Exception: UNM transcripts)
• One unofficial transcript from each college you have attended. (Exception: UNM transcripts).
• A minimum G.P.A. of 3.2 overall or a minimum GPA of 3.2 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work.
• One-page letter of intent, addressing why you are interested in Autism Spectrum Disorder and how you will benefit from this graduate certificate.
• Special Education Graduate Certificate Application. Department staff will create the Supplemental Form section after the applicant has successfully applied. At that time, log-in to your application, and please upload completed form in the Supplemental Form section of the Application Fields.
• Names and e-mail addresses for three professional references. If you are already in a UNM Special Education program, we can use letters of recommendation from your original application file that are less than 2 years old).

Questions? Contact our Graduate Program Coordinator at 277-5018 or specialeducation@unm.edu

Program Requirements 

Required Course Work: 18 Credit Hours

• SPCD 519       Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis
• SPCD 552       Teaching Students with Intellectual Disability and Severe Disabilities
• SPCD 582       Teaching Students with Intensive Communication Needs
• SPCD 583       Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder
• SPCD 584       Research and Teaching/Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorder
• SPCD 595       Advanced Field Experience

In addition to the required coursework, each student in the Graduate Certificate in ASD will be required to complete a Capstone Project that demonstrates synthesis of theory, professional literature, and application to practice in ASD. 

All six courses must be taken at UNM. Courses taken at other universities will not count toward this certificate.