Autism Studies (MA)
Leading the way in autism education.
At Mary Baldwin University, we believe that quality education should be accessible to all students. That’s why we offer a master of arts degree in Autism Studies. With this program, you’ll gain the necessary skills and confidence to support the educational and behavioral needs of school-aged individuals with autism.
- Time to Completion
- 18-24 Months
- Format
- Online
- Degree(s)
- Master of Arts, Comprehensive Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Next steps
Why Pursue Autism Studies at Mary Baldwin?
Our comprehensive Autism Studies master’s program will prepare you for effective and ethical work alongside students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Through inquiry-based courses, you’ll learn about the neurological, communicative, and sensory experiences of children with ASD. You’ll also study practical strategies for nurturing K-12 students with ASD, such as behavioral interventions and instructional practice. The MA in Autism Studies is a 30-credit hour program.
Mary Baldwin offers many other benefits for those pursuing a master’s in Autism Studies:
- Convenient: Take online courses in the comfort of your own home
- Valuable: Earn your ASD certificate, endorsed by the Virginia Autism Council, while pursuing your master’s
- Affordable: Current Virginia public or private school employees receive the Educator’s Choice Discount
- Practical: Opportunities for on-the-job fieldwork
- Personalized: Receive one-on-one advising from experienced faculty
Earn your degree online
We know how busy you are with responsibilities at work and home. Our fully online program gives you the flexibility to learn on your own time and in your own way. (Teachers: The practicum can even be completed in your own classroom!)
Next steps
“I have always wanted to help people in a hands-on way and contribute to a field that benefits the greater good.”
Tatiana Bryant ’17, MEd ’19, BCBA, LBAField Supervisor for Outpatient Behavior Therapy
Courses and Curriculum
Our program elevates your educational principles with a focus on compassion, quality of life, and best practices when working alongside students with autism. Whether you’re looking to advance in your career field or make a bigger difference in your current classroom, Mary Baldwin’s master’s in Autism Studies is made for you.
Sample core and elective courses include:
This course provides an overview of autism and related developmental disabilities across the lifespan. The course will cover assessment, diagnostic criteria and identification, characteristics, collaboration with families, an overview of educational impact and trends, transition needs and issues, controversial topics related to etiology and treatment, and an overview of national and state resources.
This course provides students with an overview of typical language acquisition and development as compared with students with ASD. The course emphasizes the visual aspects of language learning as well as the notion of “communication as behavior” and addresses the role of assistive and augmentative communication technologies to support individuals on the spectrum. Additionally, this course introduces students to the common sensory integration issues often associated with autism. The course provides classroom strategies for supporting individualized sensory and communication needs of children who have ASD, including an introduction to applied behavioral analysis techniques used for language development and collaboration with families and related service providers, as well as focusing on the importance of teaching skill-generalization across multiple settings and situations.
This course provides students with an overview of typical social and behavioral development as compared with students with ASD. The course emphasizes the role of functional behavior assessments and applied behavioral techniques as related to addressing challenging or inappropriate behaviors that may be exhibited by persons with ASD. Additionally, the course addresses social skill deficits that persons with autism may have and provides instructional strategies and techniques to address these issues in the classroom using methods that are purposeful and individualized, including the role of peers. This course will focus on collaboration with families and related service providers, as well as the importance of teaching skill-generalization across multiple settings and situations.
Cost & Financial Aid
A great education is worth it. Here’s how Mary Baldwin helps you pay for it: generous financial aid packages, a broad range of scholarships, and we accept the maximum number of transfer credits for previous coursework or relevant work and life experiences.