MEd in Special Education with Emphasis in Autism
This program prepares personnel to effectively implement evidenced based practices for students along the full continuum of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The MU Autism Master's program prepares personnel to effectively implement evidenced based practices for students along the full continuum of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The program enables special educators to integrate all areas of curriculum to effectively assess and develop social competence benchmarks for students with ASD.
Degree Requirements
The College of Education's Special Education program delivers curriculum and practica in collaboration with the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. A minimum of 30 semester credit hours must be completed in fulfillment of degree requirements. The MEd in Autism is available on campus or online through Missouri Online. More information about the online degree program is available at the Missouri Online program page.
| Degree Prerequisite (this course can be counted toward your degree credit requirement) | ||
| SPC_ED 7300 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| Autism Courses | 21 | |
| SPC_ED 8440 | Advanced Behavior Management: Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8601 | Introduction to Autism | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8602 | Methods of Instruction for Students with Autism | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8603 | Social Competency for Students with Autism | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8604 | Autism without Co-occurring Intellectual Disability | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8605 | Young Children with Autism | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8606 | Assessment in Autism, Special Education | 3 |
| Core Requirements | 9 | |
| ESC_PS 7160 | Child and Adolescent Development in Schools | 3 |
| SPC_ED 7330 | Collaboration and Consultation in Special Education | 3 |
| SPC_ED 8350 | Research with Exceptional Children | 3 |
Admissions
Faculty selection committees review applications for admission into the various graduate programs. Factors considered in the graduate student review process include previous academic course work and performance, letters of recommendation from professors or professional supervisors and relevant professional work experiences. The letter of intent is evaluated for advising purposes and is an indication of the applicant’s motivation, professionalism and writing competencies. Interviews with faculty are often arranged as part of the admissions review process.
The Special Education graduate program cannot assure admission to all applicants who meet minimum standards specified for the degree program. Resource constraints do not permit the admission of all qualified applicants.
A committee of faculty reviews the credentials of each applicant. It is the responsibility of this committee to exercise professional judgment related to the criteria that applicants must meet in order to be considered for admission to the program.
Financial Aid from the Program
Some programs require an extra form or statement from those who wish to be considered for internal assistantships, fellowships or other funding packages. Check the program website or ask the program contact for details.
Retention
To remain in good standing in the master’s program and earn a master’s degree, each student must earn and maintain an overall grade point of 3.0 or higher in all required and elective course work each semester. If student’s GPA falls below 3.0 for any semester, they will be dropped from the degree program. If students receive a grade of “C” in any core or required course, remedial activities will be required. Students must also complete course work assigned a grade of “I” prior to the end of the following semester.
Degree Completion
Master's candidates must follow the guidelines of the Graduate School with respect to timeliness and committee formations and complete paperwork.
Satisfactory Progress
For information on general progress guidelines and the dismissal policy, see the Special Education website.