Autism Studies Ph.D.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
https://www.towson.edu/chp/departments/autism-studies-doctorate/
Program Director: Dr. Kaitlyn Wilson
Phone: 410-704-5375
Email: kwilson@towson.edu
The Autism Studies Ph.D. program is a research doctorate that prepares graduates to engage in applied research, teach and train others, and influence policy. The program is designed to strengthen graduates’ research skills while deepening their knowledge and perspectives on autism. This four-year, full-time program draws upon interdisciplinary experts across TU, including practitioners, educators, and researchers who work with autism-related issues in their fields. Students in the Ph.D. program in Autism Studies will have the opportunity to become proficient in various research methodologies and apply these to pressing questions and topics within their own disciplines and across disciplines. They will collaborate with expert faculty, as well as external partners, as they deepen their research acumen and investigate significant issues related to autism and neurodiversity.
The doctoral degree requires the completion of at least 60 units beyond a master’s degree, with 16 units of course work on the interdisciplinary foundation of autism, 18 units of course work on research and research methods, 9 units of cognate (i.e., self-selected courses across disciplines to deepen understanding of chosen topics), and 17 units of dissertation study.
Admission Requirements
Application deadlines and a full listing of materials required for admission can be found on the website.
Degree Requirements
This Ph.D. program is a 60-unit hybrid program following completion of a master’s degree in a related field of study. This is a full-time program; however, competitive part-time applicants will be considered under rare circumstances. Required courses will be divided into four major areas of study: Interdisciplinary Foundations of Autism (Core), Research and Research Methods, Cognate, and Dissertation Study.
In addition to their course of study, students will obtain teaching and leadership experience in autism studies; this may be completed as a graduate assistantship, during the cognate courses, or through an individualized opportunity that reflects the experience of the student.
Substitutions to courses in the Core, Research & Research methods, and Cognate categories may be made in line with the research focus of the student with permission from the advisor and program director.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Interdisciplinary Foundations of Autism | ||
| IDHP 650 | HISTORICAL AND CURRENT PERSPECTIVES OF AUTISM | 3 |
| IDHP 795 | AUTISM STUDIES DOCTORAL FOUNDATIONS SEMINAR | 1 |
| Family Collaboration | ||
| Select one from the following (or other courses with approval): | 3 | |
| APPLIED FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS | ||
| FAMILY-PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION | ||
| WORKING WITH FAMILIES OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES | ||
| Autism in Children | ||
| Select one from the following (or other courses with approval): | 3 | |
| CONTEMPORARY ISSUES FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM | ||
| EDUCATING STUDENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS | ||
| Autism in Teens and Adults | ||
| Select one from the following (or other course with approval): | 3 | |
| CONTEMPORARY ISSUES FOR ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM | ||
| TRANSITION FOR STUDENTS WITH ASD ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | ||
| Laws, Policy, Ethics, and Advocacy | ||
| Select one from the following (or other course with approval): | 3 | |
| ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES IN CLINCIAL PRACTICE | ||
| LEADING CHANGE IN AUTISM: ADVOCACY, LAW AND EDUCATION POLICY | ||
| Research & Research Methods | ||
| General Research Methods | ||
| Select one from the following (or other course with approval): | 3 | |
| RESEARCH METHODS, DESIGN, AND ANALYSIS | ||
| ADVANCED EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN I | ||
| ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS AND DATA ANALYSIS IN OCCUPATION BASED PRACTICE | ||
| Quantitative Methods | ||
| Select one from the following (or other course with approval): | 3 | |
| ADVANCED MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICS IN EDUCATION | ||
| ADVANCED EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN II | ||
| Qualitative Methods | ||
| Select one from the following (or other course with approval): | 3 | |
| ADVANCED QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS | ||
| QUALITATIVE METHODS | ||
| QUALITATIVE RESEARCH: OCCUPATION AND LIFE NARRATIVE | ||
| Grant Writing | ||
| PRWR 619 | GRANT AND COMMUNITY WRITING | 3 |
| Applied Research | ||
| IDHP 792 | INDEPENDENT STUDY IN THE FIELD OF AUTISM | 3 |
| Self-selected Research Course | ||
| Select one from the following (or other courses with approval): | 3 | |
| GRADUATE PROJECT IN FAMILY SCIENCE | ||
| ADVANCED EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN I | ||
| ADVANCED EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN II | ||
| MULTIVARIATE METHODS | ||
| INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION IN PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| MIXED METHODS DESIGN AND ANALYSIS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS RESEARCH | ||
| Cognate | ||
| Select 9 units from the following (or other courses with approval): | 9 | |
| MATTERS OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND EMPOWERMENT IN LEARNING COMMUNITIES | ||
| ADULT LEARNING THEORIES | ||
| CONCEPTS AND ISSUES IN EDUCATION | ||
| GEOGRAPHIES OF HEALTH | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY | ||
| MANAGEMENT OF POST-ACUTE CARE SERVICES | ||
| HEALTH ADVOCACY ACROSS SERVICE SETTINGS | ||
| TRANSITIONS: HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT | ||
| COMMUNICATION, BEHAVIOR, AND PARTICIPATION LINKAGES FOR PEOPLE ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM | ||
| PROGRAM DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION IN AUTISM | ||
| ADVANCED MULTICULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| MULTICULTURAL ISSUES IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| FUNCTIONAL BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT | ||
| TRAUMA AND PTSD | ||
| EXCEPTIONAL CHILD: ADVANCED ISSUES | ||
| ACADEMIC AND CLINICAL EDUCATION | ||
| PARTICIPATION AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE IN THEIR CONTEXT | ||
| FORMAL AND INFORMAL ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES FOR STUDENTS WITH ASD | ||
| SOCIAL THINKING AND CONNECTEDNESS FOR STUDENTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM | ||
| LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS FROM BIRTH THROUGH PRESCHOOL | ||
| LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN | ||
| AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS & SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY | ||
| AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION | ||
| Dissertation Study 1 | 17 | |
| AUTISM STUDIES DISSERTATION | ||
| Total Units | 60 | |
- 1
These units will span the development, proposal, data collection, analysis, writing, and defense of the dissertation project.
The educational objectives for the Autism Studies Ph.D. program are congruent with the mission and vision of Towson University to develop doctoral-level programs that prepare graduates for workforce requirements and that are responsive to an ever-evolving external environment. The specific educational objectives of the program are to prepare graduates who will:
- Develop substantive core research-based knowledge in the field of autism and a related discipline (e.g., education, occupational therapy, sociology).
- Apply interdisciplinary research-based perspectives and practices to promote collaboration and innovation in the field of autism research and practice.
- Master methodologies required to evaluate and conduct independent research.
- Design and conduct original research in the field of autism.
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate research findings and autism knowledge more generally to professionals and laypeople.