Joseph Merhaut is the chair of the special education department at Slippery Rock University.

SLIPPERY ROCK — Education majors at Slippery Rock University have a chance learn more about a growing disorder with an autism endorsement certification program.

Joseph Merhaut, chair of the special education department at SRU, said that autism diagnoses have increased in the past several years. While no one is quite sure why the increase is happening, he said it is important to react to it in some way. This is why the program was added.

“There’s a need,” Merhaut said. “We’re seeing more and more cases of it.”

Autism is a developmental disorder that is characterized by impaired communication and social interaction, as well as restricted or repetitive behavior. The autism spectrum is wide, and can affect people in different ways.

SRU started planning the program two years ago. The education dean at the time, Kathleen Strickland, came up with the idea. When the state created an endorsement for autism studies in 2010, SRU applied.

“We jumped on it and we were approved right away,” Merhaut said.

There is no state certification for this kind of program, but Merhaut said after students complete the classes they can apply to the state Department of Education to have an endorsement added to their teaching certification.

SRU began offering the courses last year, and Merhaut said they are quite popular.

Students will take four courses, equaling 12 credits. They are “Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders,” “Applied Behavior Analysis/Single Subject Experimental Design,” “Communication and Social Competency” and “Curriculum and Instruction for Autism Spectrum Disorders.”

Most of the courses will take place online, but there will be some field work.

The classes are for graduate education majors, but Merhaut said psychology majors or students with a general interest in autism also can take the courses.