Does Nova Southeastern University offer graduate courses in autism?
N.S.U. began offering the first of four graduate level courses in the Fall of 2003 through a joint program between the Mailman Segal Center for Human Development and the Abraham S. Fischler School of Education. Each of these four courses is offered for three credits. The four courses are:
EP 650 Nature of Autism: Characteristics and Assessment
EP 655 Nature of Autism: Intervention Methods, Strategies, and Application
EP 660: Behavioral Assessment and Intervention for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
EP 665 Language, Communication Development & Augmentative Communication in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Do you have to take all four courses?
Each course stands alone, but it is required that EP 650 be taken first and EP 650 and 655 are required before taking EP 660 and EP 665.
Are there prerequisites for the courses?
It is preferred that students have a course in child or human development, child psychology, or survey of exceptionalities before taking any of the autism courses.
How do I register for the courses?
Registration occurs through the Graduate Teacher Education Program (GTEP) of the Abraham S. Fischler School of Education (FSEHS). Applicants who are not currently degree students at NSU may submit an unofficial transcript showing the award of their undergraduate degree, a $50 nonrefundable application fee, and the application. It currently takes approximately 20 working days for the application to be processed. Information about admissions can be found at http://www.schoolofed.nova.edu/gtep/info/admissions.html
Are the courses offered live or through video conferencing, or only in an on-line format?
The courses are offered in an online format. Classes run on a typical semester time-frame and have assignments due at specific due dates throughout the semester. This arrangement helps to keep the students on-track with the curriculum. Classes typically meet weekly or bi-weekly online through Elive or Live Classroom. These technologies allow the participants and the instructors to converse via microphone, share PowerPoint presentations and whiteboards. These classes are typically 1 hour to 90 minutes and supplement required material that can be completed independently by the student online. If a need exists and there are enough students to form a cluster, then there is the potential to offer the course through distance learning or in person at one of NSU’s sites.
May I take the course as a non-degree seeking student?
The courses may be taken for credit by non-degree seekers. They may be used for teacher re-certification.
I am already an NSU student. Can I take one of these courses?
The courses may be taken as electives for students currently enrolled in a master’s or education specialist program at FSEHS.
Do the four courses meet the requirements for the Florida Department of Education or the Nevada Department of Education endorsement in autism?
The State of Florida has passed an endorsement in autism, which can be added to an ESE teacher certificate. We are currently in the process of getting them approved as meeting the Florida and the Nevada requirements.
Do the four courses have to be taken in order?
It is preferable that the four courses be taken in the order numbered, because they each build upon the information covered in the preceding courses. It is required that EP 650 be taken first and EP 650 and 655 are required before taking EP 660 and EP 665.
Can undergraduate students register for the graduate courses in autism?
At the present time, undergraduate students may not enroll for these four graduate courses in autism.
Are there any plans to offer a master’s degree in autism?
A master’s degree in autism, for individuals who are already certified teachers or engaged in a related field and don’t desire teacher certification, is under discussion. However, it is not available at the present time.
Can the autism course series be combined with NSU applied behavior analysis program offered through the Counseling Studies Institute?
At this time, these courses cannot be combined to create a degree. The ABA program is offered and meets the criteria of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. However, the autism courses have not been reviewed for this criteria. Students could enroll to take both series of courses, however.
Is there a doctoral program in autism?
A minor in autism has been developed through the Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) program at Abraham S. Fischler School of Education. More information on the doctoral courses can be found in the separate FAQs for the doctoral minor in autism.
How do I apply to the doctoral program?
You can get application information about the Ed.D. program at http://www.schoolofed.nova.edu/doctoral/program.htm. More information is available through the attached FAQs for the doctoral program.
Doctoral Programs
Is there a doctoral specialization in autism at NSU?
Yes, the first course in this program was offered in the fall semester, 2005. Students can get an Ed.D. through Abraham S. Fischler School of Education with a minor in autism through a program offered in collaboration with the Mailman Segal Center.
What is required for the autism minor?
Students must enroll and be accepted in the doctoral program at Fischler. In addition to the Ed.D. curriculum, students are expected to take 15 hours of autism coursework (5 courses). Students may complete their applied dissertation in autism as well. For more information about admission and degree requirements for the Ed.D. program, please refer to http://www.schoolofed.nova.edu/doctoral/index.htm.
What courses are part of the autism minor?
EDD 8801 Seminar in Behavior-Communication Connection for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
EDD 8802 Seminar in the Nature of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
EDD 8803 Advanced Topics in the Assessment of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
EDD 8804 Advanced Topics in Interventions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
EDD 8805 Seminar in Professional Issues in Leading Programs for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
EDD 8806 Special Topics Across the Lifespan for Individuals with Autism
Can students take these courses without completing the specialization?
Students enrolled in other doctoral programs can take these courses as electives for their educational doctoral program. Students wishing to pursue the autism courses alone can apply to the doctoral program for the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAG). The application process and admissions requirements are the same for entry to the CAG as for the Ed.D. program. Students would then complete 18 to 24 credits in the minor or concentration of their choice rather than taking the full doctoral program.
If I take the specialization, can I do my dissertation in autism?
Students are encouraged to complete their applied dissertation in the field of autism and doctoral advisors are available through Fischler and through MSC to assist in this endeavor.
Do you have to take all the doctoral courses?
Students may take 1 or 2 courses as electives in other doctoral programs (e.g., Speech and Language). However, students wishing to receive a minor in autism will need to complete 5 doctoral autism courses. Students who are interested in taking 1 class in autism are encouraged to take the EDD 8802: Seminar in the Nature of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders course as an entry level course.
Are there prerequisites for the courses?
It is preferred that students take the courses in order beginning with 8802 and circling back to 8801. Students outside the field of autism as a minor are encouraged to take EDD 8802. We are considering making 8802 a prerequisite for all the other courses.
Do the courses have to be taken in order?
It is preferable that the courses be taken in the order listed above starting with 8802 and circling back to 8801, because they each build upon the information covered in the preceding courses. Depending upon the knowledge and background of the student, a different sequence may be taken. It is recommended that EDD 8802 should be taken first.
Are the courses offered live or through video conferencing, or only in an online format?
The courses are offered in an online format. Classes run on a typical semester time-frame and have assignments due at specific due dates throughout the semester. This arrangement helps to keep the students on-track with the curriculum. Classes typically meet weekly or bi-weekly online through Elive or Live Classroom. These technologies allow the participants and the instructors to converse via microphone, share PowerPoint presentations and whiteboards. These classes are typically 1 hour to 90 minutes and supplement required material that can be completed independently by the student online. If a need exists and there are enough students to form a cluster, then there is the potential to offer the course through distance learning or in person at one of NSU’s sites.
Do the four courses meet the requirements for the Florida Department of Education endorsement in autism?
The State of Florida has passed an endorsement in autism, which can be added to an ESE teacher certificate. These courses have individually been approved to meet the requirements of the autism endorsement. Students should check with their professor about additional forms to document the field experience within the courses.
Can I combine the minor in autism for the Ed.D. degree with NSU’s ABA program?
Beginning in Fall, 2009, MSI and FSEHS will begin to offer a minor in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This series will consist of the 5 courses required to meet the academic requirements of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB; www.bacb.com) for the BCBA certification. Students can combine the minor in autism with the minor in ABA as part of the special education concentration, or can take either or both in a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS).
Contact Information
For information on our Applied Behavior Analysis and our Autism Graduate programs, please:
