Master of Education in Special Education with a Concentration in Developmental Disorders Including Autism online
Become a stronger advocate for students with autism and developmental exceptionalities. Build specialized skills that help you create more inclusive learning experiences and support meaningful growth across every stage of development.
Program Overview
Support more learners with your master’s in special education – autism
The MEd in Special Education – Developmental Disorders Including Autism from WP Online guides you through an exploration of evidence-based interventions, social communication strategies, assistive and augmentative communication (AAC), behavior supports, and inclusive instructional practices. Designed for educators and professionals who already work with disabled students, this online master's in special education emphasizes real-world application over theory alone. Job-embedded assignments and culminating projects—connected directly to your own classroom, school, or organization—strengthen your ability to advocate for students, collaborate with families and multidisciplinary teams, and evaluate your practice through a culturally sustaining, reflective lens. This advanced, non-certification program is built for already-certified educators looking to deepen their expertise, advance their careers, and prepare for future doctoral study.
As a graduate of this online education master’s program, you will be able to:
- Design and implement evidence-based instructional and behavioral supports for autistic students and students with developmental disabilities
- Assess and address social, communication, and behavioral needs, including AAC and other communication strategies
- Use data-driven assessment to develop, monitor, and refine individualized education and intervention plans
- Apply positive, function-based behavior supports that improve learning and behavior outcomes
- Design inclusive, developmentally appropriate learning environments using Universal Design for Learning, centering neurodiversity and self-advocacy
- Integrate assistive and instructional technologies to support communication, learning, and independence
- Advance culturally and linguistically sustaining, equity-driven practice across programs and services
- Collaborate with families, educators, and service providers to support student development and transition planning
- Interpret and apply special education law and policy (e.g., IDEA), and use research and reflective practice to evaluate programs and improve teaching effectiveness
- Demonstrate ethical leadership and advocacy that improve educational and life outcomes for individuals with ASD and DD
- Design and implement evidence-based instructional and behavioral supports for autistic students and students with developmental disabilities
- Assess and address social, communication, and behavioral needs, including AAC and other communication strategies
- Use data-driven assessment to develop, monitor, and refine individualized education and intervention plans
- Apply positive, function-based behavior supports that improve learning and behavior outcomes
- Design inclusive, developmentally appropriate learning environments using Universal Design for Learning, centering neurodiversity and self-advocacy
- Integrate assistive and instructional technologies to support communication, learning, and independence
- Advance culturally and linguistically sustaining, equity-driven practice across programs and services
- Collaborate with families, educators, and service providers to support student development and transition planning
- Interpret and apply special education law and policy (e.g., IDEA), and use research and reflective practice to evaluate programs and improve teaching effectiveness
- Demonstrate ethical leadership and advocacy that improve educational and life outcomes for individuals with ASD and DD
Career opportunities:
- Special Education Teacher Leader
- Autism/Developmental Disabilities Specialist
- Behavior Intervention Specialist
- Inclusion Specialist
- Instructional Coach
- Assistive Technology/AAC Specialist
- Developmental Disabilities Program Coordinator
- Special Education Teacher Leader
- Autism/Developmental Disabilities Specialist
- Behavior Intervention Specialist
- Inclusion Specialist
- Instructional Coach
- Assistive Technology/AAC Specialist
- Developmental Disabilities Program Coordinator
WP Online offers a diverse range of education programs. Explore all of our online education programs.
William Paterson University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The educator preparation programs at William Paterson University have been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through June 30, 2032. Full accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and have demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.
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Tuition
Invest in your future with an MEd in Special Education – Autism
Online education programs from William Paterson University offer affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition. All fees are included in the total tuition.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEd in Special Education – Developmental Disorders Including Autism | $625 | $1,875 | $13,125 |
Tuition breakdown
Calendar
Find a start date that works with your schedule
William Paterson University online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
Now enrolling:
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Class End Date | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring I | 1/25/27 | 1/3/27 | 1/7/27 | 1/15/27 | 1/20/27 | 3/14/27 | 7 weeks |
| Spring II | 3/22/27 | 2/28/27 | 3/3/27 | 3/12/27 | 3/17/27 | 5/9/27 | 7 weeks |
Now enrolling:
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Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
Ready to expand your impact? Apply to the special education program online.
The requirements include:
- CEAS or standard teaching license in any level or content area
- Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Minimum of one year of teaching experience
You must meet the following requirements for admission to this MEd in Special Education online program:
- Submit online application and $50 application fee
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- CEAS or standard teaching license
Official transcripts and other documents should be sent from the granting institutions to:
Email address: [email protected]
Mail address:
Office of Graduate Admissions and Enrollment Services
William Paterson University
Morrison Hall 102
300 Pompton Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
Acceptance into a graduate program is contingent upon your academic record, continued good standing, and demonstrated readiness for graduate-level study.
Courses
Discover what you’ll learn in this online master’s degree in special education – autism program
For the MEd in Special Education – Autism online program, you must complete 12 Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD) credits hours, six common core credit hours, and 15 specialization credit hours for a total of 33 credit hours.
