Program Description and Policy Information

Students are encouraged to read and understand the Student Handbook (2023/24), as well as familiarize themselves with the ASU Graduate College Policy Manual.

For more information on this program please visit: 

• Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Website

• ASU Degree Search Tool

ASU students and faculty are expected to act with integrity in their educational pursuits - discover what academic integrity is and why it is important. See the Policy and Code of Conduct page for more detail on academic integrity and other university policies.

Important: This program does not lead to teacher certification. For information on education programs that lead to teacher certification, visit the MLFTC Graduate Program webpage and look for a masters program with teacher certification listed.

Required Courses

The Master of Arts in Autism Spectrum Disorders requires completion of 30 credit hours. In collaboration with academic and faculty advisors, students develop a program of study that combines required courses along with 3 graduate-level electives selected from the ASD Elective Course List.

Courses in this program are rigorous and accelerated with online and offline activities, including some team projects and meetings; each course may require you to allocate up to 15-20 hours per week. Many of the courses include a required live, synchronous discussion component in which you arrange required meeting times with your team members throughout the duration of the course, each meeting lasting about one hour. The courses are not self-paced; all readings, assignments, meetings, and activities must be completed during the scheduled dates.

To determine the sequence in which you should take the courses in the program, click the dropdown that corresponds to the year when you started the program. The specific course sequence will also include the term (fall, spring or summer) and the session (A or B).

Practicum

In the required practicum, students apply theoretical and practical information presented throughout their coursework in the Autism Spectrum Disorders concentration in a real-world setting. The practicum provides the ASU student with experiences and support for applying new skills as they continue to grow and evolve as qualified professionals. Students complete a minimum of 45 direct contact hours during the semester of approved activities under the supervision of an onsite supervisor and the guidance of an ASU instructor.

Students arrange their own placements so they can best meet their personal and professional goals. ASU students are expected to complete practicum requirements in a geographic area appropriate for their needs. Students in the ASD concentration work with their onsite supervisor to design, deliver and evaluate practices while working with an individual or individuals with ASD. As part of the associated coursework, students submit a list of anticipated activities and other assignments to the ASU instructor for review and feedback.

An onsite supervisor assists the ASU student in determining appropriate activities and the sequence for those activities, while an ASU instructor provides guidance and feedback on the activities through electronic means. 

Culminating Experience

The culminating experience course is taken as the final course in the program. Students will select to complete either the Capstone or the Applied Project as a culminating experience for the program, based on professional and personal interest and need. Passing the Culminating Experience course with a grade of B or higher in your last semester is required for graduation. Students must be making satisfactory academic progress to be eligible to register for the culminating experience course.

• iPOS Tip: The culminating experience is referred to as the 'degree requirement' on the Plan of Study (iPOS). You must know which culminating experience you wish to pursue prior to starting the iPOS.