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    Autism Education Teacher Certificate Endorsement

    The University of North Georgia offers a fully online Autism Endorsement for Georgia's P-12 teachers. UNG’s College of Education four-course autism endorsement program addresses the critical need of pedagogical knowledge in the area of autism spectrum disorders for general and special educators working with this population. The endorsement may be taken for graduate college credit or for PLU credit. The autism endorsement is officially approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

    Applicants certified in Georgia should verify with their employer or the GaPSC whether the advanced degree leads to a certificate upgrade or pay increase. The GaPSC provides the Certificate Upgrade Advisor to assist with this process. Out-of-state applicants should also verify with their employer or certification body to verify certificate upgrades.

    Request Information Apply

    Autism Endorsement Program Quick Facts

    • Program begins summer semester
    • Online program, no campus visit required
    • Asynchronous classes with some synchronous meetings
    • Program length 12 credit hours
    • Current teacher certification is required

    Program Application Deadlines

    If program capacity is met prior to established admission deadlines, we will stop accepting applications for admission and cancel remaining incomplete applicants. Completing your application earlier is better.

    Summer Deadline

    May 1

    How to Apply to the Autism Endorsement Program

    • Endorsement Non-Degree

      Requirements

      • Baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.50 calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures. If an endorsement program applicant holds a master’s degree, only the transcript showing the master’s degree awarded is required for submission to Graduate Admissions.
      • Current teacher certification.

      Applying to UNG

      • Step 1Application and Application Fee
      • Step 2Official Transcripts
      • Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

      Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.

      Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.

      • Select Teaching Certificate Endorsement-Autism.
      • Non-refundable application fee of $40.
      • Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.
      • Include check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.

      A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.50 calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures is required, or if an endorsement program applicant holds a master’s degree, only the transcript showing the master’s degree awarded is required for submission to Graduate Admissions.

      Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work, undergraduate and beyond.

      • Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.
      • Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.
      • Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.
      • International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75. Applicants who have received degrees outside of the United States may be required to submit proof of English proficiency. Applicants will be notified if a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score is required. If required, scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. Personal copies and photocopies are NOT accepted. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two calendar years from the test date. Required minimum scores are, TOEFL internet based - 79, TOEFL computer based test - 213, TOEFL paper based test - 550, IELTS - 6.5.
      • Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GPSC) currently accepts transcript credential reports from four specified agencies.  For more details, review the GPSC website at www.gapsc.com/MovetoGeorgia/FromOutsideUSA/foreignCredentialReports.aspx.
      • Transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG will be obtained by Graduate Admissions.
      • If you completed your undergraduate degree at UNG, request official transcripts only from schools attended after graduating from UNG.

      Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.

      Learn More

    • Appeal of Graduate Admissions

      A candidate whose application is denied has the right to appeal the decision. A written letter of appeal must include strong evidence to support the basis for your appeal. The appeal should consist of information beyond what was previously submitted in your admissions file and detail your ability to be successful in graduate studies.

      Email your letter of appeal as a pdf attachment to grads@ung.edu.

    • Autism Endorsement Add-on Application for PLU credit

      Application

      The Summer 2023 Application is now open! The deadline to apply is May 1.

      Financial Aid & Payment Information

      Financial aid is not available for PLU credit or non-degree seeking students. Students must be enrolled in a degree program to receive financial aid.

      Payment for PLU Credit

      Payment must be made in full by deadline. Please make check payable to: Pioneer RESA, and write 'Autism Endorsement UNG' on the MEMO line.

      Mail check to: Attn: Dana Turner, College of Education, University of North Georgia, 82 College Cir, Dahlonega, GA 30597.

    What is Autism? Why Get the Endorsement?

    Autism spectrum disorder is the fastest growing developmental disorder diagnosed by pediatricians in the U.S. and has been ranked the second most incapacitating disorder by the Center for Disease Control (CDC, 2014). In 2018, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in every 59 children has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

    This staggering increase in prevalence has consequentially sparked a rapid expansion of the availability of specialized services and evidence-based instructional supports to support these students with ASD within the schools. Moreover, the increased need for teachers who are highly-qualified to work with this unique student population is considerable.
    • Department of Elementary & Special Education
    • Catalog
    • Plan of Study (PDF)
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    Questions?

    For questions about the program, contact:
    Cristina Washell, Ed.D.
    706-867-4483 (office)
    cristina.washell@ung.edu

    For questions about the application process, contact:
    Graduate Admissions
    grads@ung.edu 
    706-864-1543

    Where This Program Could Lead You

    Professional Licensure and Certification

    The University of North Georgia offers degree programs that meet the educational requirements students need to apply for professional licensure and certifications in Georgia. The programs may not meet education requirements for licensure or certification in other states.

    For additional information, please review the Professional Licensure and Certification Disclosure.

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