Project ACCESS Credit Options

Beginning in Fall 2026, Project ACCESS is planning to offer four credit options through Missouri State University for various collections of trainings that we offer. We will make announcements when participants can sign up for credit. Please join our mailing list or sign up to receive DESE SELs messages to receive these announcements. We anticipate the credit will be available at a significantly reduced rate. Here are the options that we are planning:

1. Three credit hours for participating in our online Behavior Technician training program. We hope that this will be available for undergraduate or graduate credit.

2. From 1 to 6 credit hours for participating in our series of online workshops that train to fidelity the use of the 28 autism evidence-based interventions in autism. We plan to make 1 credit hour of credit available for each five workshops completed. Participants will be able to aggregate workshops in any order or collection they choose.

3. We plan to offer three hours of graduate credit for completers of our online In-district Autism Consultant training. This training includes the following 4 workshops: (1) Conducting an FBA, (2) Essential Features of a Defensible Autism Program, (3) Determining Eligibility for Special Education Services in the Category of Autism, and a capstone workshop that offers instruction about Coaching and Consulting.

4. We plan to offer three hours of graduate credit for completers of our in-person verbal behavior series of workshops. This series includes (1) Verbal Behavior Bootcamp (discrete trial teaching using the Skinner/Sundberg/Partington method developed at PaTTAN), (2) Establishing Basic Skills (natural environment training and more), and (3) Administering the VB-MAPP Assessment.

Contact our office at ProjectAccess@MissouriState.edu for more information about earning graduate credit for participating in our training.

The information below is preserved for archival purposes for those users who might be grandfathered into our previous program.

Project ACCESS has partnered with the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies and the Special Education program at Missouri State University to offer this transcripted certificate to Missouri public school educators who
(a) hold a valid Missouri teaching certificate, and
(b) are currently employed in Missouri public schools directly teaching students with autism.

This 12-hour certificate program is offered to support educators and other professionals who desire greater expertise in the area of autism spectrum disorder. These graduate credits are offered at half-price for participants in this program.

To complete the requirements for the certificate, individuals must apply for and be admitted into the graduate certificate in Individualized Studies, explained at the following link: Individualized Studies Application. If you have questions about how to apply, contact Graduate Admissions at 417-836-5331 or email GraduateAdmissions@MissouriState.edu.

Once admitted, students must successfully participate in the Project ACCESS Autism Credential (PAAC) training program and enroll for and receive graduate credit in the following courses:

SPE 710 Topical Issues in Special Education (Applied Evidence-based Practices in Autism I)
SPE 710 Topical Issues in Special Education (Applied Evidence-based Practices in Autism II)
SPE 656 Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders I
SPE 656 Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders II

Please note that this graduate certificate will not lead to teacher certification. In addition, this certificate is distinct from the graduate certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder offered by Missouri State University’s School of Special Education, Leadership and Professional Studies.