Autism Spectrum Disorders Endorsement

The Autism Endorsement is designed to prepare professionals to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure the academic, social, behavioral, and emotional needs of students identified as having Autism are met. The Autism Endorsement seeks to provide individuals with the skills, knowledge, and creativity needed to support students’ success in the classroom and the community. In addition, the Autism Endorsement provides depth in particular areas of educational practice, policy, curriculum, and state-of-the-art inclusionary best practices.

The Autism Endorsement Certificate includes five 3-credit courses, including a 150-hour field-based experience (15 total credits). Courses provide specialized preparation for individuals seeking positions working with students with Autism. The courses provide students with a thorough understanding of the foundations and characteristics of students with Autism, the assessment of students with Autism, educational programs, services, and supports for students with Autism, and effective strategies for collaboration and coordination with all stakeholders and providers.

Requirements 

• Declare the ASD Endorsement Certificate via the Graduate Certificate Application on the Registrar's Forms portal page.

• Successfully complete the required courses listed on the course sequences below:

  • • •  More information for Undergraduate students can be found here.

      • More information for Graduate students can be found here.

• The ASD Endorsement practicum requires candidates to complete 150-hours with at least 75 of those hours in an inclusive school setting.  Choose your path below for how to register for practicum.

Practicum

Students enrolled in a Degree Program adding the ASD Endorsement

• Register for the ASD Practicum (SPE 562).

• You will use your current practicum placement for your ASD Endorsement practicum.  No further paperwork is required.

Students completing the ASD Endorsement Certificate Program

• Once your advisor confirms you've completed the course requirements, register for the ASD Practicum (SPE 562).

• When you secure a placement, you are required to formally notify the Field Placement Office (FPO) of your setting using the Practicum Setting Verification Form. This is a google form. Be prepared to submit a PDF copy of your Supervising Practitioner's unofficial teaching license from ELAR when prompted.

More information on this endorsement can be found here.

Transition Specialist Endorsement

Requirements

• Students must hold a Massachusetts special education teacher license, or be enrolled in a Bay Path University special education licensure program. 

• If you are adding this certificate to your current Special Education Licensure graduate program, you will need to consult with your advisor to ensure your coursework fulfills the requirements of the Transition Specialist Track.  

• This endorsement is part of a DESE-approved certificate program. 

Practicum

Students enrolled in a Degree Program adding the Transition Specialist Endorsement

Students must hold a Massachusetts special education teacher license, or be enrolled in a Bay Path University special education licensure program. If you are adding this certificate to your current Special Education Licensure graduate program, you will need to consult with your advisor to ensure your coursework fulfills the requirements of the Transition Specialist Track. 

• Register for the Transition Specialist Practicum (SPE 576).

• You will use your current practicum placement for your Transition Specialist Endorsement practicum.  No further paperwork is required.

-OR-

Students completing the Transition Specialist Endorsement Certificate Program 

• Once your advisor confirms you've completed the course requirements, register for the Transition Specialist Practicum (SPE 576).

• When you secure a placement, you are required to formally notify the Field Placement Office (FPO) of your setting using the Practicum Setting Verification Form. This is a google form. Be prepared to submit a PDF copy of your Supervising Practitioner's unofficial teaching license from ELAR when prompted.

More information on this endorsement can be found here.

Sheltered English Instruction Endorsement

• As of July 1, 2014, each student in an initial licensure program will be required to complete SPE 548/EDU 348 or its equivalent in order to seek licensure and be SEI endorsed. 

• BPU can only endorse students for SEI if they are enrolled, complete an initial licensure program, and pass SPE 548/EDU 348 or its equivalent.

  • • • The SEI endorsement application is separate from the initial licensure endorsement application in ELAR.

• If students switch from non-licensure to initial licensure, they will be required to take SPE 548.

• If a student enrolls in a non-licensure program or switches to a non-licensure program and elects to take SPE 548, Bay Path University cannot endorse the student for SEI through DESE. 

  • • • Rather, students can request a "SEI letter" from EducatorPrep@baypath.edu. This letter outlines the SEI content the student received from passing SPE 548/EDU 348. Students are then permitted to seek SEI endorsement on their own by submitting this letter to DESE via ELAR.

• SPE 548 requires fieldwork experience hours working with English Language Learners in a Public School setting.