Program Overview
Grow your impact as a teacher leader in special education with our Master of Education in Special Education with a concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities online. This advanced online program builds on your instructional expertise to elevate your opportunities working with teachers, administrators, and parents of exceptional learners.
Aligned with Advanced Preparation Standards authored by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), this innovative online master’s in special education infuses research, inquiry, and ethics into every class. Course outlines and resources incorporate the latest DSM, with an emphasis on evidence-based practices. Candidates will evaluate practices such as conducting assessments, collaboration, interventions, and life planning, while facilitating and improving professional development and leadership around these practices.
Our faculty of practitioners will provide you with the best in theory and practice as you prepare to facilitate quality learning experiences, an enriching environment for educators, and a supportive network for families and the community at large. While earning this degree does not lead to certification, you will graduate ready to advance in your career as a professional leader in areas of autism and developmental disabilities.
The College of Education at William Paterson University is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and is eligible for accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Learning Outcomes:
Adapted from Advanced Preparation Standards authored by the Council for Exceptional Children:
- Use valid and reliable assessment practices to minimize bias
- Use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to improve programs, supports, and services at classroom, school, community, and system levels
- Facilitate the continuous improvement of general and special education programs, supports, and services at the classroom, school, and system levels for individuals with exceptionalities
- Conduct, evaluate, and use inquiry to guide professional practice
- Provide leadership to formulate goals, set and meet high professional expectations, advocate for effective policies and evidence-based practices, and create positive and productive work environments
- Use foundational knowledge of the field and professional ethical principles to inform special education practice, engage in lifelong learning, advance the profession, and perform leadership responsibilities to promote the success of professional colleagues and individuals with exceptionalities
Also Available:
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Tuition
The William Paterson University College of Education offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition to all our online students, wherever they reside. All fees are included in the total tuition.
Tuition breakdown:
View full tuition breakdown [+]
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEd in Special Education – ASD and Developmental Disabilities online | $500 | $1,500 | $15,000 |
Calendar
William Paterson University online education programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, with 7-week courses and six start dates each year.
Now enrolling:
| Term | Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2 | 03/15/21 | 02/23/21 | 03/01/21 | 03/09/21 | 03/11/21 | 05/02/21 |
| Summer 1 | 05/17/21 | 04/27/21 | 05/03/21 | 05/11/21 | 05/13/21 | 07/04/21 |
| Summer 2 | 07/12/21 | 06/22/21 | 06/28/21 | 07/06/21 | 07/08/21 | 08/29/21 |
| Fall 1 | 09/06/21 | 08/17/21 | 08/23/21 | 08/31/21 | 09/02/21 | 10/24/21 |
| Fall 2 | 11/01/21 | 10/12/21 | 10/18/21 | 10/26/21 | 10/28/21 | 12/19/21 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your online degree from William Paterson University?
Admissions
At William Paterson University, we’ve streamlined the admission process to help you get started right away. Please read the requirements for the MEd in Special Education – ASD and Developmental Disabilities online program, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them.
The requirements include:
View all admission requirements [+]
You must meet the following requirements for admission to this MEd in Special Education – ASD and Developmental Disabilities online program:
- Submit online application and $50 application fee
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Evidence of CEAS and/or Standard instructional, educational services, or administrative certification
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
Official transcripts and other documents should be sent from the granting institutions to:
Email address: graduate@wpunj.edu
Mail address:
Office of Graduate Admissions and Enrollment ServicesWilliam Paterson University
Morrison Hall 102
300 Pompton Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
Courses
For the MEd in Special Education – ASD and Developmental Disabilities online program, you must complete 30 credit hours of core coursework. SPED 5190 is a fixed first course.
SPED 5190: Introduction to Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the characteristics and learning traits of individuals manifesting the full range of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Developmental Disabilities (DD) and the major theories of early childhood and adolescent growth and development through adulthood. ASD and DD specialists will learn the diagnostic and eligibility criteria, incidence rates, current etiology, and historical perspectives as related to the diagnosis. The course emphasizes the current legal, cultural, and educational research for effective assessment, educational intervention and remediation for individuals with ASD and DD. Advanced candidates will also explore controversial issues surrounding the diagnosis, identification, classification, and programming for individuals with ASD and DD.
SPED 6590: Communication and Social Competence for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders & Developmental Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course provides information related to communication and social skills deficits among individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and developmental disabilities (DD). The advanced candidates will learn theories behind evidence-based practice strategies and interventions to help teachers address language, communication, and social skills. The functional relationship between relationships and social competence will also be examined. Specialists will determine how to improve social and communication programs, supports, and services for individuals with ASD and DD and their families, and facilitate others’ selection and use of such supports.
SPED 6190: Interventions and Assessments for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to provide information about research based interventions and assessments for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Developmental Disabilities (DD). Research based interventions that promote progress in academic and sensory motor skills will be examined. The course will emphasize the differentiation of instruction for students with complex needs, especially students whose disabilities negatively impact their learning. Curricula and materials will be analyzed and discussed for individuals with ASD and DD.
SPED 5500: Positive Behavioral Supports for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the use of theory, research, professional literature, and evidenced-based practices to improve professional practices and create positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities as well as facilitate the selection and use of PBIS by others’
SPED 6370: Collaboration and Life Planning for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This is a collaborative learning course in which advanced candidates will focus on the adjustment to life after high school, especially in terms of the changes in levels of support and responsibilities needed for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Developmental Disabilities (DD). It will emphasize how to become a resource in building communication skills needed for collaborating with diverse families; identifying and researching community resources for persons with ASD and DD and their families; and strategies for involving the families in the referral and evaluation and development process of transition and career planning as well as the selection of transition resources and services.
SPED 6360: Applying Inclusive Principles for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the essential factors needed for developing and improving inclusive programming for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Developmental Disabilities (DD). Advanced candidates will evaluate, design, and structure school, classroom and structural supports, and accommodations and modifications to meet the needs of individuals with ASD and DD in special education and inclusive settings. The emphasis is upon further developing specialists’ skills in addressing the needs of individuals with ASD and DD in the least restrictive environments.
SPED 6700: Issues and Trends of Special Education and Technology
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course will highlight evidence-based practices for assessment and planning, relevant legislation and policy issues, and data collection and management related to assistive technologies and educational technologies. This course will provide opportunities to assess technologies for individuals with exceptionalities and how to best integrate technology into home, school, employment, and community environments. Advanced candidates will examine the ethical considerations in the field of assistive and educational technologies.
SPED 6710: Intersectional Pedagogy and Individuals with Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the study of intersectional pedagogy and its relationship to individuals with exceptionalities and their families. The course will emphasize how special education specialists can take various social, historical and political processes into consideration to best support the needs and experiences of individuals with exceptionalities. An emphasis will be made on current and/or emerging research interests as they converge and/or diverge with this emerging field.
SPED 6720: Teacher as Researcher
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The focus of this course is research and inquiry. The special education specialist will conduct, evaluate, and use inquiry to guide their own professional practice. Prerequisites: SPED5190, SPED 6590, SPED 6190, SPED 5500
SPED 6730: Teacher as Professional Leader
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This is the capstone course in which special education specialists use their foundational knowledge and ethical principles and practice standards to impact special education practice, engage in lifelong learning, and advance the profession while performing leadership responsibilities which promote the success of professional colleagues and individuals with exceptionalities. Prerequisites: SPED5190, SPED 6590, SPED 6190, SPED 5500
