Master of Arts (M.A.)
Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Focus
Program Highlights & Benefits
Meet one night per week from 4:45 - 8:45p
2 year completion time, including holiday breaks
No GRE or admission tests
No weekend classes
Goals and Focus of the Program
The Master of Arts in Special Education with Autism Spectrum Disorder Focus program focuses on special education theory and evidence-based practices. Special emphasis is placed on the assessment and intervention of core and related deficits of students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Candidates will gain knowledge and skills related to the diagnosis, program planning, instruction and interventions for students with an ASD. Candidates will develop key assessments and develop clinical decision making skills appropriate for use in the education of students with an ASD. Candidates will develop skills in becoming effective communicators and collaborators with parents, families, community providers and support systems in addition to gaining in-depth knowledge in this area of study.
Program Design
The Master of Arts in Special Education with Autism Spectrum Disorder Focus program follows a cohort model where students meet one night per week from 4:45 – 8:45pm. The duration of the program is approximately two years, including almost 18 months of coursework followed by the comprehensive examination.
Prerequisites
Students in the Master of Arts in Special Education with Autism Spectrum Disorder Focus program must have a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5; a valid Connecticut Teaching License; one year of full time, contracted teaching experience; and access to a classroom and students throughout the duration of the program to fulfill field study requirements.
Degree Requirements and Career Outcome
The degree requirements for this program are successful completion of the program’s respective courses (listed below) and a passing score on the comprehensive examination taken after all coursework is complete. Upon completion of this program, students will have earned a Master of Arts degree in Special Education. This is not a licensure or endorsement program, but students who complete the program will be eligible for a University of Saint Joseph Autism Spectrum Disorder Graduate Certificate.
Plan of Study
| Course | Title | Start Week | End Week | Hours |
SPEC 560 | Autism: Nature and Characteristics | Aug. 26, 2019 | Oct. 14, 2019 | 3 |
SPEC 561 | Autism: Behavioral Interventions | Oct. 21, 2019 | Dec. 9, 2019 | 3 |
SPEC 562 | Autism: Communication and Technology | Jan. 6, 2020 | Feb. 24, 2020 | 3 |
SPEC/IABS 565 | Autism: Psychosocial Interventions | Mar. 2, 2020 | Apr. 27, 2020 | 3 |
SPEC 530 | Research in Special Education | May 4, 2020 | Jun. 22, 2020 | 3 |
SPEC 505 | Assistive Technology | Aug. 31, 2020 | Oct. 19, 2020 | 3 |
SPEC 564 | Autism: Application of Instructional Strategies | Oct. 26, 2020 | Dec. 14, 2020 | 3 |
SPEC 539 | Curriculum and Instruction: Adaptive Strategies | Jan. 4, 2021 | Feb. 22, 2021 | 3 |
SPEC 540 | Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary Intervention | Mar. 1, 2021 | Apr. 26, 2021 | 3 |
SPEC 554 | Research-Based Math Intervention | May 3, 2021 | Jun. 21, 2021 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30 | |||
Please Note:
*The courses for this program may be offered in a different order. This list should not be considered the finalized course sequence.
Anticipated Comprehensive Exam Date: July 2021
