About the program
The courses in the certificate can be completed as a non-degree student or go toward a master’s degree in Special Education.
Although participants in this particular program do not have to be formally admitted to PSU to enroll in these courses, students must have a PSU student ID and active Odin account to register.
Our graduates
The program benefits many types of professionals and nonprofessionals. Our certificate completers come from a variety of backgrounds including paraeducators, special education teachers, parents of children with autism, speech-language pathologists in addition to staff in community-based social services agencies and residential and day-treatment facilities. Additionally, the series of courses may serve as a pathway for undergraduate and graduate students considering working with children, youth, and adults who experience disability. The course content is aligned with the Oregon Commission on Autism standards and competencies; however, the program does not lead to the TSPC designation of Licensed Autism Specialist.
Why PSU?
Portland State University’s three decades in the autism field stand out. It is a national pioneer in the development of techniques and tools for academic and social skills training for teaching students with autism across settings. The coursework in the Autism Core Concepts certificate is based on current research and evidence-based practices in the field of autism.