Teacher of Students with Autism/Severe Intellectual Disabilities (15 credits)

Admission Requirements

1. A completed Wilmington University application
2. Official transcripts.
3. Current résumé
4. Interview with Program Chair or designee
5. ARTC Candidates Only:  A recommendation from your immediate supervisor to enter this intensive program.  The ARTC Program Coordinator will facilitate this, providing information to the administrator/supervisor, following a planning conference.  

(The ARTC program requires a candidate to have a Certificate of Eligibility AND a firm offer of a special education position as a special education teacher of record in a Delaware public school. These documents must be submitted by the Candidate to be fully admitted.)

After completing all of the above requirements, register for MED 6102 (E-Folio) along with other appropriate courses.

Purpose

The purpose of this certificate in Teacher of Students with Autism/Severe Intellectual Disabilities is to prepare master’s level educators to teach children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities, and other developmental disabilities. The goal of this certificate is to provide research/evidence based techniques and strategies to: assess students and use the results to develop goals and implement plans based on student needs and targeted outcomes. The coursework will prepare teachers to design and implement evidence based instruction aligned to alternative learning standards.  

Fieldwork/clinical experiences are embedded across the coursework, enabling the teachers to demonstrate mastery of the CEC Specialist Standards through performance based tasks. 

Students who satisfactorily complete the coursework described below will qualify (on application to the Office of the Registrar) for a Wilmington University Graduate Certificate in that topic area.  This is not to be confused with a Delaware Department of Education endorsement or certificate to teach exceptional children in any category.  Such endorsements may only be granted by the Delaware Department of Education after all state-mandated requirements are met (e.g., candidates must have passing scores on all tests required by the DE Professional Standards Board; must hold a current Initial, Continuing or Advanced License and DE certification to teach in a specific subject area or grade level).

Please note that Delaware requirements for public school educators are subject to change by the Delaware Department of Education.  Wilmington University makes no guarantees that students who complete the coursework outlined below will qualify for state licenses, certificates or endorsements.  Candidate seeking such credentials must make application through DEEDS (Delaware Educator Data System).

The most recent information about Delaware licensure and certification requirements can be accessed at the Delaware Department of Education/Professional Standards Board website.

Course Requirements

Teacher of Students with Autism Severe Intellectual Disabilities (15 credits)