Autism Spectrum Disorders

The reported incidence of autism has increased from one in 5,000 in the 1970s to one in 150 in 2008, but speech-language pathologists, special educators, and general educators are typically not well-versed in the speech, language, and educational needs of people with autism.

In response, Elms College, in partnership with the River Street Autism Program at Coltsville in Hartford, Connecticut, has created one of the first master of science degree programs in autism spectrum disorders in the nation, and the only one in New England.

We offer master's degrees and certificates of advanced graduate study with and without practica. The programs with practica provide hands-on experience working with children with autism. We teach applied behavior analysis, which evidence shows to be effective in treating people with autism.

You may choose to continue to work toward becoming a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) by completeing a total of 1,500 hours of practica and sitting for an examination. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc., has approved Elms College's five-course sequence as meeting the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst examination.

Master of Science in Autism Spectrum Disorders (M.S. in ASD)

With Required Practicum: Minimum 36 credits
Without Required Practicum: Minimum 30 credits

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® has approved this five-course sequence as meeting the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® Examination.

ASD 602 Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits)
ASD 603 Assessment and Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders I (3 credits)
ASD 604 Assessment and Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders II (3 credits)
ASD 605 Positive Approaches to Behavioral Interventions in ASD (3 credits)
ASD 610 Research and Experimental Design (3 credits)

Required Coursework:

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

ASD 602 Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits)
ASD 603 Assessment and Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders I (3 credits)
ASD 604 Assessment and Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders II (3 credits)
ASD 605 Positive Approaches to Behavioral Interventions in ASD (3 credits)
ASD 610 Research and Experimental Design (3 credits)
ASD 670 Use of Pragmatic Language for Social Communication (2 credits)
ASD 672 Social Communication in the Preschool/Primary Environment (1 credit)
ASD 675 Classroom Applications (3 credits)

Education

EDU 519 Students with Special Needs (3 credits)
EDU 620 Development and Learning (3 credits)

ASD Practica

For the 36-credit master's degree, three practica are required.
For the 30-credit master's degree, these practica are electives, which may be taken
on a space-available basis.

ASD 676 Practicum I (3 credits)
ASD 677 Practicum II (3 credits) OR ASD 678 Practicum II (Off-site option) (3 credits)
ASD 679 Practicum III (3 credits) OR or ASD 680 Practicum III (Off-site option) (3 credits)

Electives:

Communication Sciences and Disorders

CSD 602 Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Assistive Technologies (3 credits)
CSD 603 Diagnostics and Implementation in A.A.C. (3 credits)
CSD 614 Counseling Methods in CSD (3 credits)
CSD 623 No Child Left Behind and IDEA (2 credits)
CSD 629 The Individualized Education Program: Strategies for Development and Implementation (2 credits)
CSD 643 Sensory Integration (1 credit)
CSD 645 Sensory Integration Intervention Techniques (2 credits)

Education

EDU 516 Introduction to Technology in Education (3 credits)
EDU 543 Models of Inclusion (3 credits)
EDU 716 Advanced Technology for Educators (3 credits)

Psychology

PSY 508 Cognitive Psychology (3 credits)

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Autism Spectrum Disorders (C.A.G.S. in ASD)

With Required Practicum: Minimum 36 credits
Without Required Practicum: Minimum 30 credits

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® has approved this five-course sequence as meeting the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® Examination.

ASD 702 Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits)
ASD 703 Assessment and Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders I (3 credits)
ASD 704 Assessment and Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders II (3 credits)
ASD 705 Positive Approaches to Behavioral Interventions in ASD (3 credits)
ASD 710 Research and Experimental Design (3 credits)

Required Coursework:

Autism Spectrum Disorders

ASD 702 Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits)
ASD 703 Assessment and Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders I (3 credits)
ASD 704 Assessment and Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders II (3 credits)
ASD 705 Positive Approaches to Behavioral Interventions in ASD (3 credits)
ASD 770 Use of Pragmatic Language for Social Communication (2 credits)
ASD 772 Social Communication in the Preschool/Primary Environment (1 credit)
ASD 775 Classroom Applications (3 credits)

Education

EDU 519 Students with Special Needs (3 credits)
EDU 620 Development and Learning (3 credits)

Practica (required only for 36-credit C.A.G.S. program)

ASD 776 Practicum I (3 credits)
ASD 777 Practicum II OR ASD 778 Practicum II (Off-site option) (3 credits)
ASD 779 Practicum III OR ASD 780 Practicum III (Off-site option) (3 credits)

Electives:

ASD 710 Research and Experimental Design (3 credits)

ASD Practica: May be taken as electives on a space-available basis

ASD 776 Practicum I (elective for 30-credit C.A.G.S.; required for 36-credit C.A.G.S.) (3 credits)
ASD 777 Practicum II (3 credits) OR ASD 778 Practicum II (Off-site option) (3 credits)
ASD 779 Practicum III (3 credits)

Communication Sciences and Disorders

CSD 614 Counseling Methods in CSD (3 credits)
CSD 702 Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Assistive Technologies (3 credits)
CSD 703 Diagnostics and Implementation in A.A.C. (3 credits)
CSD 723 No Child Left Behind and IDEA (2 credits)
CSD 729 The Individualized Education Program: Strategies for Development and Implementation (2 credits)
CSD 743 Sensory Integration (1 credit)
CSD 745 Sensory Integration Intervention Techniques (2 credit)

Education

EDU 516 Introduction to Technology in Education (3 credits)
EDU 543 Models of Inclusion (3 credits)
EDU 716 Advanced Technology for Educators (3 credits)

Psychology

PSY 508 Cognitive Psychology (3 credits)