Program Overview
Students entering this graduate program will be able to build on their related background of study, obtaining a higher level of specialized knowledge, skill and independence in the areas of assessment and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. This full-time program will take one year to complete and combines both academic and practical experience. It provides students with a well-rounded opportunity to further their undergraduate studies in order to work effectively as an integral member of a services delivery team who supports individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Program Highlights
- The program is standardized across the province to deliver an identical curriculum and protocol.
- Two field placements allow students to gain valuable practical experience working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Graduates will demonstrate leadership in guiding the activities of others and will have the knowledge and skills necessary to develop practical solutions.
- Comprehensive training in the area of Applied Behaviour Analysis principles and practices, including evidence-based ABA techniques.
Career Opportunities
Great careers as an instructor therapist exist in community agencies, school boards, government-funded Autism programs, with private providers and home programs.
Admission Requirements
Post-Secondary graduates from a related discipline, such as a college diploma, a college advanced diploma or an applied degree in a related discipline.
For information, please contact cangileri@stclaircollege.ca.
Courses
Fall 2025 Semester Course Schedule:
- Ethics And Professionalism - ABS 109
- Intro to Applied Behaviour Analysis - ABS 100
- Intro to Autism Spectrum Disorder - ABS 105
Contact coned@stclaircollege.ca for the course schedule.
Synergy Placement Notice to Students
Pre-Placement Requirements
St. Clair College has partnered with Synergy Gateway Inc to provide you access to Verified - a platform that is used by students at other post-secondary institutions across Ontario for the purpose of digitally collecting placement requirements related to placement(s). Synergy Gateway Inc will provide support and clearance to help with your required documentation. You will be required to complete an Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) Review through the Verified platform in order to receive clearance to begin your clinical placement. You will be provided access to "Verified" via a secure username and password. You will use Verified to:
- Upload your pre-placement requirements documentation for review.
- Book your Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) service (this is a service that reviews the documents you have uploaded and provides you a status as to your eligibility to begin placements).
- Track your ongoing requirements compliance.
Each student will receive log-in credentials to access Verified that will be sent to your St. Clair College email account. Please check your inbox, spam and junk mail folders for an email from the "Synergy Help Desk". You will be required to create a new password upon logging in. Be sure to view the video user guides and student guidebook to learn how to use the Verified platform.
Any associated fees for Synergy Gateway Inc to complete the pre-placement requirements are the sole responsibility of the students:
- Synergy Review Fee: $50.50 + tax
- Synergy Follow-Up Review Fee: $10.00 + tax
It is mandatory that students complete their ERV service through Verified to be eligible for your upcoming clinical placement.
Once your account has been set up with Verified, inquiries can be directed to Synergy Gateway Inc at www.Synergyhelps.com. You will need to submit a Help Desk ticket. Their Help Desk hours are Monday to Friday: 10 am - 3 pm, excluding holidays.
** Please note: If you are an International student completing a placement, you will require a valid COOP Work Permit.
Requirements
(Please refer to your Synergy communications for full details)
- Health Assessment Record
- CPR-Level C (valid for 1 year)
- Standard First Aid (valid for 3 years)
- Police Vulnerable Sector Check (valid for 1 year)
- Additional Attestations will be required through Synergy Gateway
Additional Placement Information
- Students will complete two field placements, one per semester
- Placement 1 will typically consist of 5 days a week for 35 hours/week for a total of 140 hours over 4 weeks
- Placement 2 will typically consist of 5 days a week for 35 hours/week for a total of 210 hours over 6 weeks
- Student placements are assigned each semester
- Students may be placed anywhere in Windsor and Essex County
- Students are responsible for their own travel and costs to placements
- Placement schedules may include shifts on days, afternoons and weekends based on the agency they are placed at
Program Physical Demands Analysis
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Autism and Behavioural Science (Ontario College Graduate Certificate) (MTCU Code 70711)
The successful completion of this program will enable the graduate to:
- Assess and analyze the characteristics, skills, and behaviour of individuals with ASD to effectively implement evidence-based behavioural interventions.
- Design and implement effective behavioural intervention plans under appropriate supervision and
- based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).
- Evaluate the effectiveness of behavioural intervention plans based on the principles of ABA.
- Work collaboratively with families, teams, service providers, and the broader community to respond to the learning and behavioural needs of individuals with ASD.
- Design, implement, and evaluate as part of a team, ABA based transition plans for individuals with ASD.
- Comply with established ethical principles and professional guidelines
- Provide leadership in the promotion and provision of services to meet the needs of individuals with ASD and their families.
- Evaluate empirical evidence in order to select appropriate interventions for individuals with ASD.
