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 prepares graduates to teach, influence policy, and engage in applied research. 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 15 units of coursework on the interdisciplinary foundation of autism, 18 units of coursework on research and research methods, 9 units of cognate (i.e., self-selected courses across disciplines to deepen understanding of chosen topics), and 18 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. Full-time study is planned understanding, however, that part-time study will be available. 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 | ||
| First-year Seminar | ||
| IDHP 650 | HISTORICAL AND CURRENT PERSPECTIVES OF AUTISM | 3 |
| Family Collaboration | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| APPLIED FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS | ||
| FAMILY-PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION | ||
| WORKING WITH FAMILIES OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES | ||
| Autism in Children | ||
| Select one from the following: | 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: | 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: | 3 | |
| ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES IN CLINCIAL PRACTICE | ||
| ETHICAL, LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| LEADING CHANGE IN AUTISM: ADVOCACY, LAW AND EDUCATION POLICY | ||
| Research & Research Methods | ||
| General Research Methods | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| RESEARCH METHODS, DESIGN, AND ANALYSIS | ||
| ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS IN OCCUPATION BASED PRACTICE | ||
| Quantitative Methods | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| ADVANCED MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICS IN EDUCATION | ||
| DATA ANALYSIS IN OCCUPATION-BASED RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE | ||
| Qualitative Methods | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| ADVANCED QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS | ||
| QUALITATIVE METHODS | ||
| QUALITATIVE RESEARCH: OCCUPATION AND LIFE NARRATIVE | ||
| Grant Writing | ||
| PRWR 619 | GRANT AND COMMUNITY WRITING | 3 |
| Applied Research | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| APPLIED RESEARCH METHODS IN FAMILY SCIENCE | ||
| PROJECT IN FAMILY FOCUSED PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT | ||
| ACTION RESEARCH IN SPECIAL EDUCATION | ||
| APPLIED RESEARCH METHODS AND SKILLS I | ||
| Self-selected Research Course | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| GRADUATE PROJECT IN FAMILY STUDIES | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN OCCUPATIONAL SCIENCE | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS IN COUNSELING | ||
| ADVANCED EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN I | ||
| ADVANCED EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN II | ||
| MULTIVARIATE METHODS | ||
| INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION IN PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| Cognate | ||
| Select 9 units from the following: | 9 | |
| GEOGRAPHIES OF HEALTH | ||
| MANAGEMENT OF POST-ACUTE CARE SERVICES | ||
| HEALTH ADVOCACY ACROSS SERVICE SETTINGS | ||
| COMMUNICATION, BEHAVIOR, AND PARTICIPATION LINKAGES FOR PEOPLE ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM | ||
| PROGRAM DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION IN AUTISM | ||
| DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| ADVANCED MULTICULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| ADVANCED MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING | ||
| SOCIOLOGICAL INSIGHT | ||
| DEVELOPMENTAL HUMAN LEARNING: A LIFESPAN APPROACH | ||
| 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 | ||
| WRITTEN LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS | ||
| AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION | ||
| Dissertation Study (choose one based on college of study) 1 | 18 | |
IDHP 997 | DISSERTATION | |
IDIS 997 | DISSERTATION | |
IDED 997 | DISSERTATION | |
| OSC DISSERTATION | ||
| Total Units | 60 | |
- 1
These units will span the development, proposal, data collection, analysis, writing, and defense of the dissertation project. Students will register for dissertation units in their college of focus.
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.