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Autism Specialist
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Credits:
31
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Degree:
Master of Education
Program Description
Teachers in general education and special education are working with more and more students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The Autism Specialist Master of Education program answers the growing need for more understanding and better preparation for those working with students with severe disabilities. The program offers opportunities to personalize your learning and flexible study options for working professionals who want to become specialists in autism.
Who Is the Autism Specialist Degree Designed For?
This program is designed for experienced teachers and para-professionals, to enhance their working knowledge of the field. It also provides opportunities to explore new professional opportunities working with individuals with autism. This is not a licensure program and does not lead to Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) certification.
Cambridge College Autism Specialist Program Highlights
Take the next step in your education and career. The autism specialist degree at Cambridge College is a flexible, hands-on program designed to fit your busy schedule.
- Personalized learning opportunities. Specialize your course of study through an independent learning project that enhances your preparedness as a professional educator.
- Flexible class schedules. Balance education with work and family time with the help of flexible, convenient class options available evenings, weekends, and online.
- Experienced faculty. Work closely with top faculty who bring extensive research experience and expertise in autism spectrum disorders to the program.
- Exceptional value. Save on tuition at one of the most affordable four-year private nonprofit colleges in the nation.
- No GMAT required. Get started on your master’s degree—Cambridge College does not require standardized graduate school tests for admission into non-licensure programs.
In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined that approximately 1 in 59 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
Autism Specialist Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the autism specialist master’s program will have a strong understanding of autism, behavioral issues, and severe special needs. Required courses cover a broad range of topics including:
- Assistive technologies and federal laws pertaining to special education.
- Current research in childhood development.
- Behavior management, assessing and managing communication disorders, and social skills intervention.
- Teaching and curriculum development for students with autism and other disabilities.
Autism Specialist Jobs
Autism behavior specialists work in a wide range of educational settings as teachers, school therapists, student aides, and other professional roles. In addition to working directly with special needs students, autism specialists may also conduct assessments, submit recommendations, and develop individualized care or education plans.
Autism Specialist Salary
Special education teachers and teachers who work with children with autism earn an average annual salary of about $60,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational therapists earn about $80,000 per year.
Example Autism Specialist Courses
This master’s degree program features courses such as:
- Autism: History, Prevalence, Diagnosis, and Characteristics
- Laws and Regulations Pertaining to Special Education
- Teaching and Curriculum Development/Students With Severe Disabilities
Download the Autism Specialist program sheet.
Autism Specialist Scholarships and Financial Aid
You may qualify for grants, scholarships, loans, and other types of financial assistance to help pay for your autism specialist master’s degree. Learn more about applying for financial aid at Cambridge College.
Many companies also offer tuition assistance programs that can help to pay for education. Find information about getting your company to help.
Related Programs at Cambridge College
If you’re still exploring degree options, you might be interested in learning more about these Master of Education programs at Cambridge College:
Curriculum
Courses
31
Credits
Choose one 3-credit School of Education elective in addition to the required courses below:
Introduction to Graduate School
EDU 558 • 1 credit(s)
This course will assist the new student in planning and developing a graduate study program that is appropriate to the student's academic and professional needs. When a student is accepted into the program he/she should enroll immediately only in this course and work with an advisor to schedule additional courses. In addition, this course will offer opportunities for more direct advising, introduction to College protocols such as TaskStream and other opportunities for academic success.
Assistive Technology: Modifying the Curriculum for Diverse Learners
ESP 615 • 3 credit(s)
How do we as educators implement the mandated requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that calls for assistive technology to be considered in each Individualized Education Program (IEP)? Candidates examine assistive technologies and the federal laws impacting the education of students with disabilities and investigate assistive technologies addressing seating and positioning, access to the technology, augmentative and alternative communication (low-tech and high-tech). Candidates examine curriculum modifications using technology, and software that addresses these modifications and individual learning styles. The course provides a comprehensive understanding of the various augmentative and alternative communications (AAC) methodologies, including the appropriate use of aids and devices. Course assignments connect assistive technologies to classroom practice.
Autism: History, Prevalence, Diagnosis and Characteristics
ESP 610 • 3 credit(s)
This course examines current research and theoretical models that focus on typical and atypical development of children. Emphasis is on understanding the child with autism in terms of psychological, intellectual, social, and physical development. The historical problem of biological versus psychological causation of autism will be examined along with trends in autism research that continue to this day. This course will focus on autism as a neurological developmental disorder characterized by an impairment in social interaction, communication skills, and in behavior. Autism is acknowledged as a "spectrum" disorder meaning that children with autism may range from extremely low cognitively to highly intelligent with little or no language to communicate to being highly verbal. The cause(s) of autism is not known at this time, with 9 out of 10, for whom the cause is idiopathic. Autism Spectrum Disorder is the fastest growing developmental disability with 1 in 150 children now being diagnosed with autism. It is more common than Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and Childhood cancers combined.
Laws and Regulations Pertaining to Special Education
ESP 695 • 3 credit(s)
This course reviews all special education laws (IDEIA, 2004, and specific regulations such as 34 C.F.R. 300; 603 CMR 28:00) regarding the pre-referral and referral of a student, and the development of an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Additionally, the course examines the relevance of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990), the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), as well as the procedures for Special Education Appeals relating to public schools’ obligations to provide Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students with disabilities. Additional emphasis is placed on students with a diagnosis of Autism and developing IEPs for these students in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), using theories and strategies for including students in general education classrooms. Special attention is paid to legislation governing special education. Pre-practicum hours of directed field-based training required.
Theories of Typical and Atypical Human Development
ESP 689 • 3 credit(s)
This course examines current research and theoretical models that focus on typical and atypical development of children. Emphasis is on understanding children's psychological, intellectual, physical and socio-emotional development. Piaget's theory of cognitive development is examined along with recent investigations and adaptations. Theories of the role of context (physical, social and cultural impacts on development) are compared. The impact of developmental theories on the education of children with disabilities is examined. Formulation of a developmentally appropriate Individual educational Plan is required. Pre-practicum hours required.
Assessment and Appraisal Process -ASD
ESP 621 • 3 credit(s)
Effective instruction is difficult to implement in the absence of effective assessment and appraisal data. The goal of this course is to introduce candidates to several educational and functional assessments that are frequently used to establish skill strengths and deficits in children with autism spectrum disorders and diagnoses with similar characteristics. Such tools as the Psycho-educational Profile, 3rd edition (PEP-111), Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills Revised (ABLLS-R), and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, classroom edition, will be reviewed and interpreted. Along with an emphasis on these assessments, this course will stress considerations of student specific goals including variables such as, needs in the home setting, activities of daily living, vocational training, and an independent and self determined adult life.
Behavior Management- ASD
ESP 625 • 3 credit(s)
Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and diagnoses with similar characteristics frequently manifest challenging behaviors that inhibit learning and access to many life long opportunities. This course will introduce students to the functional behavior assessment (FBA) process and intervention through the use of positive behavior intervention and support (PBIS). The dynamic intervention formats utilize the scientifically supported techniques of PBIS across a three tier level of need that includes school wide support, secondary support for at – risk students, and individual interventions. Individual interventions will be developed utilizing the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA). The course will emphasize the use of least restrictive, non-aversive, researched supported techniques that take into account a whole child perspective, intervention for teaching functional equivalent skill deficits, increasing appropriate behavior, and decreasing challenging behaviors.
Communication Disorders - ASD
ESP 616 • 3 credit(s)
Communication-based disabilities are a diagnosing criteria of Autism spectrum disorders, diagnoses with similar characteristics, and are commonly seen in severe levels of developmental delay. Not only do communication difficulties greatly impact life-long educational, social, and vocational opportunities, they are closely associated with the presence of challenging behaviors such as aggression and self-injury. Following a review of typical and atypical language development, physiological, environmental, and psychological theories of language development will be presented. This course will examine criterion-based and peer-normed communication assessments, effective language-based teaching strategies for children with severe disabilities, and alternative communication forms such as picture exchange communication system, sign language, and other non-vocal communication systems. In addition, students will be introduced to the following: Provision of family-centered services; impact of culture on work with individuals with disabilities and their families; and recommended practices/framework for assessment and facilitation of communication for individuals with ASD.
Social and Psychological Perspectives in Autism Spectrum Disorders
ESP 630 • 3 credit(s)
Social deficits are one of the defining characteristics of autism, including Asperger’s syndrome, and most are almost always associated with other autism spectrum disorders and similar diagnoses. This course will introduce candidates to social skills intervention through a whole family approach focusing on both students with deficits associated with global delay as well as higher functioning students who demonstrate deficits primarily or exclusively in the area of social skills. This class will take into account the needs of not only the student, but also the siblings, parents, separated parents, extended family relationships, household economic needs, and culturally specific variables that make up the landscape of the dynamic American family.
Teaching and Curriculum Development/Students with Severe Disabilities
ESP 635 • 3 credit(s)
This course will emphasize diagnosis, assessment and best educational practices in teaching persons who are diagnosed with severe intellectual disabilities, multi handicaps and autism. A focus on legal provisions, regulations and program standards in unbiased assessment as well as work on specialized terminology used in assessment of this special population will be noted. A special focus on the Massachusetts Alternate Assessment preparation will be developed. Adaptive behavior scales will be discussed. Students will be apprised of the specialized policies regarding students with extensive disabilities concerning referral and placement procedures.
Core Faculty
(617) 873-0212sandra.bridwell@cambridgecollege.edu
(617) 873-0849james.horn@cambridgecollege.edu
Senior Instructor
(617) 873-0279Peter.Ash@go.cambridgecollege.edu
(617) 873-0770William.Hoyt@go.cambridgecollege.edu
(617) 873-0347Patricia.Johnson@cambridgecollege.edu
Pages
Admissions
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Admission Test:
No standardized graduate school tests required for admission into non-licensure programs.
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Admissions Office:
1-800-829-4723
- Application Form:
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Application Fee:
$50 ($100 for international students; $100 for EdD)
Health Requirements for Massachusetts Students
The Massachusetts Health Department and Cambridge College require the following of students in Massachusetts:
Immunizations – All students in Massachusetts are required to get certain immunizations before you can register for your first term. See form
Health Insurance – In Massachusetts, undergraduate students taking nine or more credits/term and graduate students taking six or more credits/term must enroll in the College’s health insurance plan. Students who have insurance with comparable coverage may request a waiver. See information and enroll or waive.
School Requirements
See Admissions Requirements for School of Education
International Students
International students need to provide supplemental documentation:
- Official demonstration of English language proficiency
- Supplemental documentation for issuance of I-20
- International transcripts, evaluated by an accepted evaluation service
Transfer Credit
Graduate program applicants, please complete the transfer credit request form if you wish to have prior course work evaluated for transfer. Learn more.
Undergraduate program applicants, once you are accepted, your official transcripts are evaluated for transfer credit.
Tuition
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Credits:
31
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Cost per credit hour:
$609
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Application Fee:
$50 ($100 for international students; $100 for EdD)
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Health Insurance Fee:
$3,962 - Required for Massachusetts students only. See waiver details on Tuition & Fees page.
Note: Rates are as of July 2022, and are subject to change without notice. Rates apply to all students, unless otherwise noted.
Financial Aid
Cambridge College offers financial aid to students in our degree programs who are enrolled at least half time. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits each term. Graduate and doctoral students must be enrolled in at least 4 credits each term. Learn more
Grants, Scholarships and Loans
Cambridge College welcomes the opportunity to support your efforts to pay for college. Federal, state and local resources in the form of grants, scholarships, loans and work-study, including Cambridge College Scholarships, are available to help defray the cost of tuition. Learn more
Getting Your Company to Help
Many companies have tuition assistance programs, designed to help their employees with their professional development. Learn more
Take the Next Step Toward Your Autism Specialist Degree
Take the Next Step Toward Your Autism Specialist Degree
