Teaching: Master of Arts in Education (MAE) with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Authorization

Program Outcomes

The candidate

• will be able to identify the unique characteristics of students with ASD.
• will be able to demonstrate unique knowledge of cognition and neurology and the core challenges associated with language and communication, social skills, behavior, and processing and their implications for program planning and service delivery.
• will be able to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities to become proficient in implementing evidence-based and multi-faceted methodologies and strategies necessary in teaching and engaging students with ASD from acquisition through generalization.
• teaching students with ASD will be able to demonstrate the ability to collaborate as a member of a multidisciplinary team with all service providers and effectively interact with families.

Specialized Admissions Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the requirements stipulated in the “Admissions and Registration” section of the University catalog, and must also meet the following criteria:

GPA: Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5

Recommendations: Each candidate must provide two written confidential recommendations from those who can attest to the applicant’s abilities, interests, and proven accomplishments in education.

Personal essay: A two-page personal essay describing the following is required:

• the professional organizations to which you belong,
• honors, activities and other creative accomplishments, and
• a brief autobiographical statement including future professional plans.

Interview: Student must have an interview with the relevant HSOE Admissions Committee.

Upon receipt and review of all documentation, the candidate will be considered for final admission. Final admissions decision will be made by the Program Faculty.

Applicants must also possess one of the following California education specialist credentials:

• Mild/Moderate Disabilities
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Physical and Health Impairments
• Visual Impairments

Admission to the Autism Authorization Program also requires verification of:

• Completion of Form A of the Alliant International University
• Copy of valid Preliminary or Clear Education Specialist: Mild/Moderate Disabilities credential (CCTC) or Certificate of Eligibility for the credential
• Participation in an interview with the faculty review panel inclusive of the program director and receive a favorable review / recommendation for admission.
• Recommendation for Autism Spectrum Disorders Authorization:
• 41-4 credential application form
• All credential coursework completed (B or higher/ min. GPA of 3.0 required)
• Tuition balance paid in full
• Proof of valid Level I or Level II Education Specialist Instruction Credential
• Program Completion Document

Specialized Admissions Requirements: Credit for Previous Graduate Work

Transfer of credit may be awarded on the following basis:

• A maximum of 6 semester units beyond the bachelor’s degree may be transferred from a regionally accredited institution. All such coursework must have been earned in addition to the bachelor’s degree required coursework.
• The request to accept credit to be transferred must be approved by the program director.
• Credits must have been earned within seven years prior to the request for transfer. Waivers of this requirement may be considered by program faculty on a case by case basis. All waivers must be approved by the dean.
• Extension courses or continuing education courses are not, in standard cases, acceptable for graduate transfer. However, courses completed at high levels through an accredited university or local district program may be considered by the program director and approved by the Dean of the Hufstedler School of Education for partial credit transfer.
• Coursework being considered for transfer must be equivalent to Alliant coursework for which it is being applied. Students are required to submit transcripts, catalog course descriptions and other documentation.
• All coursework must be completed successfully at credit or B levels or higher.

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

30 units are required for the Master of Arts in Education (MAE) with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Authorization.

Once admitted to the Program, applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher in all coursework. Students failing to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the end of any term will be placed on academic warning and must correct the deficiency by the following semester or be subject to academic dismissal from the program.

Degrees are posted to the official university transcript through the Registrar’s Office at Candidate request. Completion of degree program is verified by the Registrar as per the Master Plan of Study. All courses below are three units (3) unless otherwise noted.

Curriculum Plan