Special Education with an Emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders (MA)

This program is for individuals who hold a valid Minnesota teaching license and who wish to expand their teaching skills and knowledge of the characteristics and interventions used with students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. It is designed to prepare highly effective professional, decision-making, and reflective educators who are proficient in foundational knowledge; referral, evaluation, planning, and programming; instructional design, teaching, and ongoing evaluation; collaboration and communication; standards of effective practice; and core special education skills including instructional strategies, social/emotional health, social competence, cultural competence, classroom management, and academic competence. 

Supplemental Course
Content and Methods of K-6 Literacy I 1 (3)
Content and Methods of K-6 Literacy II 1 (3)
Program Courses
SPED 580Ethical Issues for Professional Educators of Exceptional Learners3
SPED 581Instructional Strategies: Mild/Moderate Disabilities3
SPED 583Collaborative Teaching in Inclusive Settings3
SPED 582Teaching Students with Linguistic Differences or Difficulties3
SPED 573Fundamentals: Autism Spectrum Disorders3
SPED 574Communication and Social Skills Training3
SPED 596Behavior Management3
SPED 575Interventions: Autism Spectrum Disorders3
SPED 586Learners with Disabilities: Educational Assessment3
SPED 593Applied Experience in Autism Spectrum Disorders3
ED 521Educational Research and Applications3
ED 590Conducting Research and Completing the Capstone3
Total Credits36
1

ED 548 Content Methods of K-6 Literacy I and ED 558 Content and Methods of K-6 Literacy II  (6 credits) are required unless candidates can verify equivalent coursework addressing comprehensive scientifically-based reading instruction, including reading foundations and assessment

Plan of Study Grid
First YearCredits
First Semester  
SPED 580 Ethical Issues for Professional Educators of Exceptional Learners 3
SPED 581 Instructional Strategies: Mild/Moderate Disabilities 3
Second Semester  
SPED 583 Collaborative Teaching in Inclusive Settings 3
SPED 582 Teaching Students with Linguistic Differences or Difficulties 3
Third Semester  
SPED 573 Fundamentals: Autism Spectrum Disorders 3
SPED 574 Communication and Social Skills Training 3
 Credits18
Second Year
First Semester  
SPED 596 Behavior Management 3
SPED 575 Interventions: Autism Spectrum Disorders 3
Second Semester  
SPED 586 Learners with Disabilities: Educational Assessment 3
SPED 593 Applied Experience in Autism Spectrum Disorders 3-6
Third Semester  
ED 521 Educational Research and Applications 3
ED 590 Conducting Research and Completing the Capstone 3
 Credits18-21
 Total Credits36-39
Plan of Study Grid
First YearCredits
First Semester  
SPED 580 Ethical Issues for Professional Educators of Exceptional Learners 3
SPED 581 Instructional Strategies: Mild/Moderate Disabilities 3
Second Semester  
SPED 583 Collaborative Teaching in Inclusive Settings 3
SPED 582 Teaching Students with Linguistic Differences or Difficulties 3
Third Semester  
SPED 573 Fundamentals: Autism Spectrum Disorders 3
SPED 574 Communication and Social Skills Training 3
 Credits18
Second Year
First Semester  
SPED 596 Behavior Management 3
SPED 575 Interventions: Autism Spectrum Disorders 3
Second Semester  
SPED 586 Learners with Disabilities: Educational Assessment 3
SPED 593 Applied Experience in Autism Spectrum Disorders 3-6
 Credits12-15
 Total Credits30-33