Admission Requirements:

The graduate student seeking admission to a Master of Arts in Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Special Education Department is required to:

1. Possess valid Michigan teacher certification;
2. Earned endorsement in Special Education;
3. Submit two letters of recommendation to include: one letter verifying professional competence and one letter from a faculty member or other person knowledgeable of candidate’s academic competence;
4. Achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 as an undergraduate (including “last-half GPA”) or achieve a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 but less than 3.0 and receive acceptable scores on the Graduation Record Examination (GRE) or achieve a GPA of 3.0 in 6-9 credit hours of relevant graduate level coursework (degree or non-degree) as determined by the Graduate Coordinator;
5. Have a successful personal interview, if requested, with an assigned advisor;
6. Submit a personal statement of purpose, describing why the applicant would like to pursue graduate studies in the area of autism spectrum disorders and how he/she hopes to benefit from these studies; and
7. International students must provide a score of 90 on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB).

Department Information:

Special Education - College of Education

Advisor Information:

Exit Requirements:

Exit criteria include demonstration of acceptable levels of performance in the following areas:

1. Ability to carry out suitable procedures for assessment of listening, thinking, talking, reading, spelling, writing, mathematics or other skill deficiencies;
2. Ability to specify in behavioral terms instructional objectives that are appropriate to the skill needs and entry-level characteristics of the individual student;
3. Ability to set up and maintain conditions and procedures of instruction suitable to the learning goals set for the individual student;
4. Ability to assess instructional outcomes in terms of the student’s behavior change and use this data in the formulation of an ongoing instructional plan adjusted to changed student conditions;
5. Ability to use appropriate techniques with the student to help develop the self-management skills required for constructive social participation and independent learning; and
6. Ability to function as a member of interdisciplinary teams and maintain effective liaison with parents and others working with the student.

Acceptable levels will be determined by course grades, GPA, practicum evaluations and performance in research courses.

Degree Requirements: 39 hours

The graduate student seeking a Master of Arts degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders through the Special Education Department must:

1. Successfully complete a minimum of 39 hours of approved graduate credit as outlined on an approved master’s degree program that has been planned with a program advisor;
2. Successfully complete an approved master’s degree program that has been planned with a special education graduate advisor;
3. Successfully complete a supervised practicum experience;
4. Successfully complete the degree requirements within six years of enrolling for the first class applicable to the degree program; and
5. Meet all other requirements of the Graduate School.