Online Master's in Special Education Programs with a Specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represent a category of developmental challenges that fall under the larger umbrella of special education. The communication skills gaps and social and behavioral deficits common among children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD can be addressed through a variety of educational strategies that require professionals who have specialized training working with students with special needs. ASD education specialists use individualized instruction, sensory integration exercises, applied behavioral analysis (ABA) tools, art therapies, and many other techniques to improve the function and further the academic success of students diagnosed with ASD.
There are special education master’s programs that provide broad training and instruction in the principles and practices of special education and that also address issues in ASD education. However, Master’s in Special Education programs with a specialization in ASD are designed specifically to prepare graduates to work in preK-12 schools, clinics, and other educational settings with individuals who have an ASD diagnosis. These programs also provide training in the research methodologies and program assessment and design skills used to improve educational strategies in special education and special day classrooms.
What is a Master’s in Special Education with a Specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders Degree?
A Master’s in Special Education in Autism Spectrum Disorders program is a graduate program that provides special education training in ASD and culminates with the conferral of a master’s degree. These programs combine broad instruction in general special education practices and proficiencies with a narrower and deeper concentration in ASD-specific teaching strategies, and are designed for teachers and other education professionals who want to work with children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with ASD. This includes early childhood education (preK), as well as K-12 education.
Students in an ASD-focused Master’s in Special Education program learn about the diverse array of communication-related difficulties and social and behavioral problems that accompany an ASD diagnosis. In addition, students review the research pertaining to ASD and apply that knowledge to developing teaching and curriculum design strategies, cultivating proficiencies in applied behavior analysis (ABA) and positive reinforcement technique, and preparing to help ASD students cope with behavioral challenges, overcome learning obstacles, and advance in their education.
Online Master’s in Special Education – Autism Spectrum Disorders Programs
Online Master’s in Special Education programs provide a more flexible and convenient alternative to traditional campus-based programs as students are able to earn their degree without having to commute to campus or relocate to be near a university that offers an ASD specialization. These programs use learning management systems (LMSs), which is the generic term for internet-based instructional platforms, to deliver all or most of their didactic instruction online. Students in these programs complete the same master’s-level graduate courses and curriculum as students who enroll in traditional, on-campus programs.
Some online master’s programs in special education are designed specifically for educators who already hold a state-administered license or certification to teach in public schools. Others do not require prior licensure and offer a curriculum designed to prepare graduates to apply for a state credential in special education. While both types of programs commonly require students to complete practical experiences at a site approved by the program, programs that prepare students for state licensure include student teaching hours that must be completed in-person as part of the curriculum. For online students, some programs match students to placement sites, while others expect students to find their own placements that must then be approved by the program.
Note: Individual states administer specific licensing and certification policies for special education teachers and ASD teaching specialists who work in public schools. As credentialing requirements vary by state, students considering an online Master’s in Special Education program with an ASD specialization should review the requirements for their state of residence in order to determine the coursework and on-site training needed to apply for licensure post-graduation.
How OnlineEducation.com Identifies and Classifies Online Master’s in Special Education – ASD Programs
Through researching Master’s in Special Education programs, OnlineEducation.com identifies programs that have an ASD curriculum, are offered by accredited, non-profits schools, and offer all or most of their didactic instruction online. These programs generally confer a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Education (MEd), or Master of Science (MS) degree. Examples of program names include:
- Online MA in Special Education – Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Online MEd in Special Education – Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Online MEd in Special Education with Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Online MS in Special Education – Autism Spectrum Disorders
While most online master’s degree programs in special education do not require any campus visits, a subset of programs requires students to attend a limited number of campus-based sessions. Programs that require up to two campus visits per year are still classified as online programs on this site. However, programs that require three or more campus visits per year are considered hybrid programs and are not listed on the site. Campus visits, which are discussed in more detail below, are separate and distinct from practical experiences that students must complete in-person in order to earn their degree.
What Students Learn in Online Master’s in Special Education Programs with a Specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders
While ASD is an area of specialization within special education, ASD is also studied by psychologists and other behavioral science professionals. As a result of the cross-disciplinary nature of ASD, master’s program curricula vary by school. However, the general structure of a special education curriculum with an area of focus in ASD has three basic components: general training in special education proficiencies; specialized training in working with students diagnosed with ASD; and supervised practical experiences in ASD education settings.
Curricula for graduate programs in special education with a specialization in ASD typically cover communication, language, and social skills development for children and adolescents with autism, clinical ASD interventions such as applied behavior analysis (ABA) and sensory integration, and evidence-based autism assessment procedures. ASD master’s students also learn how to conduct research in the field in order to advance curricula and pedagogy for working with students diagnosed with ASD.
Most Master’s in Special Education programs align their general curriculum with academic training standards maintained by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), which also accredits special education master’s programs. ASD-specific training is also addressed by the CEC standards and there are several additional organizations that maintain curricular and accreditation standards for teacher training at the graduate level, including the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
Common Courses in Online Master’s in Special Education – Autism Spectrum Disorders Programs
The table below provides a representative overview of the kinds of courses typically offered as part of a Master’s in Special Education program with a focus on ASD. While course names and descriptions vary by program, the courses listed are aggregated from online programs currently offered by accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities.
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders | An introduction to ASD, including its characteristics and its impacts on children and adolescents, evidence-based strategies for promoting social development in individuals diagnosed with ASD, and the challenges associated with teaching students who have ASD. |
| Interventions and Treatments for Persons with Autism | An exploration of evidence-based interventions and treatments used with persons with autism in schools, as well as at home and in other common settings. |
| Methods for Learners with Higher-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder | A methods course covering effective practices and strategies for teaching, directing, and promoting social skills and communication development in high-functioning learners with ASD. |
| Measurement, Data Display, Interpretation, and Experimental Design | An examination of data collection techniques, visual analysis, design methodologies, and approaches to data interpretation, with a focus on experimental design and intervention assessments. |
| Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis | An introduction to the field of ABA, a treatment method that has been successful in helping those diagnosed with ASD. The course covers functional behavior assessments, behavior analytics, ethical behavior interventions, implementing behavioral change procedures, and evaluating outcomes. |
| Family and Interprofessional Collaboration in Special Education | Examines strategies for building and maintaining relationships with families of students with special needs and creating effective education programs. Students also learn how to apply federal and state regulations for special education program development. |
| Assessment and Curriculum | Standards for the assessment of autistic children, identifying developmental deficits, and working to cultivate sensory, communication, and social skills in classroom activities and play-based instruction. |
| Field-Based Experience in Autism | Students engage with ASD special education in various settings, including daycares, schools, hospitals, clinics, and residential treatment centers under professional supervision. |
| Behavior Management | Explores positive behavior reinforcement methods in teaching grounded in research-based interventions for promoting acceptable behavior in schools. |
Admissions to Online Master’s in Special Education Programs with a Specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Admissions policies and applicant requirements vary by school and by program. However, the baseline requirement for most master’s programs is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university. Additionally, online Master’s in Special Education programs may require applicants to have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75, 3.0 or higher on a four-point scale and to have completed one or more prerequisites in education and/or developmental psychology. Among the materials commonly requested by graduate school admissions boards are a short personal goals statement, two or more academic or professional references, and/or answers to one or more essay prompts. Some programs also require students to submit GRE or MAT test scores, but many programs no longer require the GRE.
It is important to note that some programs in the field are designed for teachers who have already attained licensure and thus require proof of an active teaching license, while other programs provide coursework to help students prepare for their initial teaching license or certification. Applicants should review each program’s specific admissions requirements carefully before applying to ensure they meet the criteria for admission.
Online Master’s in Special Education – Autism Spectrum Disorders Format Options
Not all online master’s programs are the same. There are several key structural differences that potential applicants should be aware of when researching programs. These include online teaching methods (synchronous vs. asynchronous instruction), enrollment options (full-time vs. part-time), and whether or not programs are fully online versus online programs that require a limited number of campus visits. Each of these factors is examined in more depth in the sections below.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction: Online programs can either deliver instruction in real-time or on-demand. Real-time instruction is known as synchronous instruction. It is typified by live, virtual lectures and class meetings that may be scheduled once or twice per week, often in the early morning or evenings, or on weekends to avoid conflicts with traditional work hours. Synchronous instruction provides a structure that is similar to attending campus-based classes, which may be preferable for some online students. Asynchronous instruction, in contrast, does not have a real-time component and thus offers greater flexibility when compared to synchronous instruction. It includes a wide range of activities, including prerecorded lectures and class modules that students can access and view on their own time, 24-7. Readings, papers, research projects, and unproctored exams are other examples of asynchronous instruction. While all online programs use asynchronous instruction, synchronous instruction is only utilized by some programs.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Enrollment: An online program’s flexibility can also be impacted by enrollment options. Most master’s programs are designed to be completed in three or four semesters, which usually equates to between one and two years. While enrolled full-time, students should expect to spend 40 hours or more per week on coursework. For students who intend to continue working while earning their degree, many programs offer flexible or pat-time enrollment options, which can reduce the workload. Students enrolled on part-time basis generally take just one or two courses per semester, which means they do not have to spend as much time each week on their studies (e.g., 15 to 20 hours per week instead of 40+ hours per week); however, they take longer to earn their degree. The typical time to completion for a part-time student in an online master’s program is two to three years. Programs that offer courses year-round or those that utilize alternative academic calendars may be structured to allow part-time students to earn their degree in two years, while full-time students can progress more quickly through the curriculum and graduate in as few as 12 months.
Campus Visits: Most online master’s programs in education are fully online; however, some included in-person, campus-based sessions that students are required to attend. The campus visits, commonly referred to as intensives, residences, or immersion sessions, may be used for orientations, networking, seminars, and other activities that benefit from having students on campus. OnlineEducation.com classifies programs with two or fewer campus-based requirements per year as online programs. Programs that require three or more campus visits per year are classified as hybrid programs and are not listed on the site. There are positives and negatives to campus-based requirements that potential applicants may want to consider. Being on campus once or twice per year can enrich the online learning experience and may not be an issue for students who live within commuting distance to their school’s campus. However, for online students who do not live near the campus of the program they are attending, campus visits require travel during which students may incur expenses in addition to a program’s base tuition costs and fees, and setting aside time to be on campus for two to five days may cause scheduling problems for some students.