Course overview
- Description
This course provides graduates trained in psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy, paediatrics or psychiatry with specialist knowledge and applied diagnostic skills to contribute in the assessment and diagnosis of autism across the lifespan. The first two coursework units (which consist of seven online self-paced micro-credential courses flexibly delivered and completed independently) provide in-depth knowledge of autism and the presentation of autism and related features across the lifespan, including diagnostic features of autism across the lifespan; contemporary diagnostic frameworks and approaches; current diagnostic criteria; and Australian and international best-practice guidelines for autism assessment and diagnosis. The third unit is a practical unit providing training in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2nd Edition (ADOS-2). The course culminates in an applied fourth unit, which provides students with a range of applied opportunities to apply their knowledge, and develop and demonstrate their clinical skills in autism assessment and diagnosis.
- Course title
- Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis
- Award abbreviation
- GradCertAutDiag
- Course code
- 70230
- Course type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Status
- Current / 2025
- Administered by
- Psychological Science
Course details
- Intake periods
- Mid-year only
- Attendance type
- Full- or part-time
- Credit points required
- 24
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester. - Standard course duration
- 1 year
- Time limit
- 3 years
- Delivery mode
- Online
- Locations offered
- UWA (Perth)
- Domestic fee type
- Postgraduate fee-paying/FEE-HELP
- Available to international students
- No
- Course Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor Iliana Magiati
- Fees
- Visit the fees calculator.
Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.
No study plans found for this course. See study plans for more information.
Specialisations
Course structure
Key to availability of units:
- S2
- Semester 2
- NS
- non-standard teaching period
All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.
PSYC5520 and PSYC5521 cannot be undertaken in the course and can only be credited following successful completion of UWA Microcredential units PSYCM510, PSYCM511, PSYCM512, PSYCM513, PSYCM514, PSYCM515, and PSYCM516.
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | PSYC5520 | The Presentation and Diagnostic Features of Autism Across the Lifespan |
| approximately 150 hours of personal study of online material (approx./ up to 50 hours x 3 online microcredentials), consisting of written material, guided readings, reflective exercises, videos or pre-recorded material, and interactive activities. |
| S2 | PSYC5521 | Key Principles in Autism Assessment and Diagnosis: A Lifespan Approach |
| Approximately/ up to 150 hours of personal study of online material (approx./ up to 25 hours x 2 1PD point online microcredentials; and approx./ up to 50 hours x 2 2PD point online microcredentials), consisting of written material, guided readings, reflective exercises, videos or pre-recorded material, and interactive activities. |
| NS | PSYC5522 | Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2nd Edition (ADOS-2) Training |
| pre-workshop reading and observations of pre-recorded ADOS-2 videos; 4-day intensive online workshop (8 hours per day); post-workshop assignment |
| NS | PSYC5523 | Applied Skills in Autism Assessment and Diagnosis | 2.5 hours x 6 online applied/ practical seminars over 6 weeks. This is an applied/practical unit. Students must demonstrate application of knowledge and clinical skills required for a diagnostician through online practical activities, such as case discussions and role plays, as well as report-writing exercises and case studies. |
See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.
Rules
Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures
1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.
(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules
2.(1) A student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).
(2) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.
English Language competency requirements
3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.
Admission requirements
4.(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—1(a)
(i) a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(ii) successfully completed prior tertiary study in speech pathology, occupational therapy or medicine, as recognised by UWA. or
(iii) an accredited bachelor's honours degree in psychology, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia or the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council;
and
(b) registration with the professional body of your specialisation, as recognised by UWA;
and
(c) evidence of having at least six months of full-time equivalent relevant experience working directly with children, adolescents or adults, as recognised by UWA;
and
(d) a satisfactory written personal statement, as recognised by UWA;
and
(e) a curriculum vitae outlining relevant documented occupational and practical experience, as recognised by UWA;
and
(f) two satisfactory references, as recognised by UWA.
(2) Applicants may be invited to attend an interview to determine suitability for admission.
Admission ranking and selection
5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on—
(a) educational and professional qualifications, relevant clinical experience as outlined in personal statement and CV, overall quality of personal statement, curriculum vitae, references and interview (if undertaken);
and
(b) the intake quota for the year.
Articulations and exit awards
6. This course does not form part of an articulated sequence.
Course structure
7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 24 points.
(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.
Satisfactory progress
8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.
9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.
Progress status
10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.
(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—
(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';
(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';
(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.
11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.
Award with distinction
12. This rule is not applicable to this course.
Deferrals
13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).