Teacher Leader with Autism Spectrum Disorders Cognate

The basic tenet of the Teacher Leader Master of Arts program at Georgetown College is to empower teachers to become educational leaders so that they can build capacity within their schools and districts.  Teacher leaders gather and analyze information and data from multiple sources judiciously; identify and address students’ learning needs effectively; think critically about how to improve teaching and learning; and work cooperatively with others within and beyond the school to help all students achieve their fullest potential.

 

Students who are diagnosed with Autism are increasingly evident in today’s schools.  We have designed these courses to provide teachers and others with the knowledge and strategies they need to teach students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).  These courses can be taken with the Teacher Leader MA or Rank I programs.  Candidates will gain knowledge of ASD and its associated learning characteristics as well as be empowered with strategies based on the latest research.  The program was developed to meet the competencies for teachers of students with Developmental Disorders/Autism, as proposed by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).  Since there is no current Kentucky certfication in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorder, this program is designed to assist any teacher with the opportunity to learn more about how to work with students identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

 

This ASD program consists of five courses with application of the strategies and demonstration of skills to work with students with this disorder.  The classes may be taken as a single course or two for informational purposes.  Candidates seeking the Georgetown College Autism Program Certificate must take all five courses.  Candidates applying only for this program will apply as a special student.  Candidates who wish to take these classes as a part of a MA or Rank I program use the MA or Rank I application.

 

These courses wil be provided in an online format.  The Saturday town meeting is required at the beginning of each semester.

 

Program Highlights

• Focus on the unique features of the learner with ASD
• Concise offering of instructional strategies specific to students on the spectrum
• Increased understanding of the function of behaviours for students on the spectrum
• Support for collaborating with other professionals and related service providers

Curriculum

The Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate program is based upon successful completion of 12 credit hours as specified below.  Courses are suggested to be taken in sequence.  These courses can also be taken with the Teacher Leader MA or Rank I programs.

• ECE 508:  Introduction to ASD (3 hrs.)
• ECE 510:  Evidence-Based Instructional Practices for ASD (3 hrs.)
• ECE 512:  Analyzing Behavior for Students with ASD (3 hrs.)
• ECE 514:  Application of Strategies in Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 hrs.)

 

 

 

Program Directors:

Dr. Susan Hill – Teacher Leader, 502-863-8380

Dr. Melody Deprez – Autism, 502-863-7963