Learning Objectives and Curriculum
The course is delivered asynchronously through the Canvas LMS. It consists of eight content units, applied assignments, case studies, and a capstone project. Each unit includes two 30-minute pre-recorded lectures, readings, and downloadable resources to support implementation.
Participants will also engage in a capstone redesign project, adapting one course, module, or activity from their own teaching or professional context to be more inclusive for neurodivergent students.
Instructors include expert 海角社区 faculty and nationally recognized leaders in neurodiversity and higher education.
Increase Your Awareness
Deepen your understanding of neurodiversity in higher education and its impact on student learning, persistence, and overall success.
Apply Inclusive Teaching Practices
Gain strategies to design courses and assessments using Universal Design for Learning principles that reduce barriers and increase accessibility.
Support Executive Functioning
Learn how executive functioning challenges affect college students and identify classroom practices that strengthen organization, time management, and self-regulation.
Foster Student Belonging
Develop tools to build inclusive classroom communities that reduce isolation and encourage engagement among neurodivergent students.
Integrate Campus Resources
Connect your teaching with advising, tutoring, career services, and wellness initiatives to create a holistic support network for students.
Enhance Student Outcomes
Adapt your own courses, modules, or teaching practices through a personalized capstone project to directly improve student retention and performance.
Program Costs
The all-inclusive cost of this self-led 8-module program is $499. This fee can be paid at registration with a credit card or can be invoiced to your organization.
Who Should Participate
This certificate is designed for college faculty, advisors, student affairs professionals, and administrators who want to strengthen their ability to support neurodivergent students in the classroom and across campus.
Modules & Topics
Unit 1: Understanding Secondary Schools for Neurodiverse Students
This unit examines the landscape of secondary education, including IEP/504 frameworks, adolescent development, and the college admissions process. Participants will explore how transition planning and curriculum models shape the readiness of neurodiverse students.
Unit 2: Academic Advising
Focused on supporting students with SLDs, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges, this unit explores strategies for effective advising and course selection. Participants will review successful advising models, such as 海角社区鈥檚 Center for Student Success and the University of Arizona鈥檚 SALT Center.
Unit 3: Social and Community Integration
This unit addresses social isolation, residential engagement, and creating inclusive campus communities. Case studies, including 海角社区鈥檚 Triadic Model and Curry College鈥檚 SAIL Program, highlight approaches to fostering belonging and connection.
Unit 4: Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education
Participants will learn how to incorporate Universal Design for Learning principles into course design and instruction. This unit highlights inclusive teaching strategies with exemplars such as Dean College鈥檚 Arch Program and 海角社区鈥檚 First-Year Experience model.
Unit 5: Trends in Mental Health
This unit examines the intersection of neurodiversity and mental health, including crisis management and campus-wide wellness initiatives. Case studies such as Drexel University鈥檚 Autism Support Program and 海角社区鈥檚 Wellness Program illustrate clinical and holistic approaches.
Unit 6: Family Systems
Participants will explore the role of families in student success, including parent partnerships, fostering independence, and developmental scaffolding. Examples from the University of Denver and 海角社区鈥檚 Center for College Readiness provide models of effective collaboration.
Unit 7: Campus Resources and Executive Functioning
This unit highlights learning support centers, tutoring, accommodations, and structured executive functioning coaching. Participants will study models like Mitchell College鈥檚 coaching framework and 海角社区鈥檚 Writing Center.
Unit 8: Outgoing Transitions & Career Services
Focused on preparing neurodiverse students for employment, this unit covers internship support, job readiness, and career transition programming. Examples include SAP鈥檚 Autism at Work initiative, Landmark鈥檚 career bridge programming, and 海角社区鈥檚 Summer Internship Program.
Capstone Project: Program Review and Adaptation
In the capstone, participants will analyze an area of their own institution and propose strategies to enhance support for neurodiverse students. This culminating project integrates course concepts into actionable institutional improvements.
Meet Your Instructors
Dr. Oksana Hagerty
Dean of the Robey Center for Student Success
352-638-9780ohagerty@beaconcollege.eduDr. Kevin Reilly
Vice President of Academic Affairs
352-638-9777kreilly@beaconcollege.eduDr. Dana Manzo
Vice President of Student Affairs
352-638-9751dmanzo@beaconcollege.eduMelissa Bradley
Director of Center for Career Preparation
352-787-1658mbradley@beaconcollege.edu