Towson University to begin autism studies post-baccalaureate certificate program

From The Towerlight, the student newspaper at Towson University in Maryland:

Towson's dedication to educating and preparing those interested in aiding those with autism has taken another step forward. The University is prepared to launch a 16-credit post-baccalaureate certificate in autism studies.

According to a press release, only 13 universities in the mid-Atlantic region offer such a degree. Towson will now be the only public University in Maryland with the option of post-baccalaureate certificate in autism studies.

Courses may be offered as soon as the summer, and the program in its entirety will begin in the Fall 2009 semester.

"It's terrific. It's going to offer opportunities for people to meet and be involved with people with autism as they're doing their coursework," Lisa Crabtree, clinical assistant professor for the department of occupational therapy and occupational science and Towson's Center for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder director said.

The certificate will be a 16-credit interdisciplinary studies program featuring five three-credit courses and one capstone course worth one credit. The three core courses of the program will focus on current issues with infants and children, family issues, and adults. The other two courses will be electives chosen from the students' own discipline.

"It's pretty exciting, it's unique in the way it covers autism across the life span," Crabtree said. The program is not only for students but the community is invited to take courses as well, according to Crabtree.

"It's across colleges and across disciplines and it's available for students who already have a baccalaureate degree. Students can apply the classes they're taking now to the certificate or people can come back and take classes toward it later," she said.

Professors will begin teaching courses for the certificate in the first summer session. The infant and child course will be the first offered.

According to Crabtree, the program was developed last summer, beginning in the dean's office. Representatives from speech, language pathology, special education, occupational therapy, psychology, IDHP and family studies were all present and sat on the committee for the certificate.

"With the development of the autism center there was a lot of need identified for people to be trained to work with these people across the life span," she said.