Saint Joseph’s Debuts Region’s First Graduate Business Certificate Program Focused on Neurodiversity in the Workplace

This fall, Saint Joseph’s University will launch the region’s first graduate business certificate focused on Neurodiversity in the Workplace — a groundbreaking program that prepares professionals to lead with empathy and effective support for neurodivergent employees, including those on the autism spectrum.

With an estimated 700,000 to 1 million young people with autism expected to turn 18 between 2019 and 2029, the need for inclusive, prepared workplaces has never been greater. This new certificate, developed in partnership between the Erivan K. Haub School of Business and the University’s nationally recognized Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support, aims to close that gap.

“Modern workplaces are still catching up to what it means to truly be inclusive,” says Eric Patton, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Management. “This certificate builds on our long-standing commitment to support neurodivergent individuals. Now, we are extending that commitment to the companies and communities our graduates will serve.” 

The four-course certificate can be completed as a standalone credential or integrated into Saint Joseph’s MBA, MS in Human Resource Management or MS in Organizational Development and Leadership programs.

The curriculum includes Introduction to Autism for Work, Leadership and Ethics, Equity in Organizations, and Supporting the Neurodiverse Workplace – courses that provide students with both theoretical understanding and practical strategies to support neurodivergent individuals, specifically in professional environments. 

The certificate builds upon Saint Joseph’s existing undergraduate minor in Managing Neurodiversity in the Workplace and strengthens the University’s role as a leader in autism education and advocacy. Kinney Center faculty helped develop the curriculum, ensuring alignment with both cutting-edge research and real-world application. 

Saint Joseph’s strong industry partnerships further amplify the program’s value. Organizations such as Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Wawa, Thomas Jefferson University, USLI and Cerity Partners – many of which have established autism-at-work programs – expressed the need for more professionals trained in inclusive management and neurodiversity practices. 

“We’ve heard directly from industry leaders and employees that this kind of training is urgently needed,” says Joseph McCleery, PhD, associate professor of psychology and academic director of the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support. “We are excited that our Haub graduate certificate program students will leave not only with greater empathy, but also with actionable skills to recruit, retain and support neurodivergent talent.” 

The program also aligns with the University’s strategy to create robust opportunities for students to connect with community initiatives and advocacy work, such as Saint Joseph's ongoing collaboration with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Eagles Autism Foundation.

Designed with flexibility in mind, the certificate can be completed from anywhere in the world and by professionals from a range of backgrounds, making it widely accessible for working professionals to create more inclusive, equitable work environments and workforces. 

As neurodiversity awareness continues to grow, Saint Joseph’s new graduate certificate will prepare the next generation of leaders to ensure every individual, regardless of how they think or communicate, has the opportunity to thrive at work.

To learn more, visit sju.edu/degree-programs/neurodiversity-workplace-certificate.