Degree details

This program, offered by the Autism Centre of Excellence, has a multi-disciplinary, whole of life focus. In the Graduate Certificate, you will gain a foundation in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) including communication, learning style and behaviour management.

This program addresses an area of acute need as determined by the Australian Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Queensland Department of Education and Training, and the Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services.

You will be able to provide quality intervention and management for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). You will also be well equipped to advance into leadership and specialist roles in education, health, government policy, social work and service provision for people with ASD and their families.

Educators with specialised knowledge in providing for the needs of learners with ASD are in high demand in public and private education sectors as a specialist teacher, school leader, curriculum leader or consultant. You will also have the option of completing a research masters and following a career in autism research.

Higher education

To be eligible for entry to the Graduate Certificate program applicants must have the following:

  • bachelors degree in any discipline from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.5 (using a 7.0 scale); OR
  • a qualification leading to professional registration (for example Nursing); OR

Work and Life

  • five years of relevant work experience.

English Proficiency Requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

  • A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
  • OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
  • OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
  • OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
  • OR a minimum grade of C on the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
  • OR a minimum grade of C on the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
  • OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

Students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

Griffith University grants credit and recognition of prior learning which may relate to prior formal learning or prior informal and non-formal learning. For more information, please visit the following website:

Award Requirements

To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies (GCertAutismSt), a student must acquire 40 credit points as prescribed below:

  • gain 40 credit points for the prescribed subjects.