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 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. 

Interdisciplinary Foundations of Autism
First-year Seminar
IDHP 650HISTORICAL AND CURRENT PERSPECTIVES OF AUTISM3
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 619GRANT AND COMMUNITY WRITING3
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) 118
IDHP 997
DISSERTATION
IDIS 997
DISSERTATION
IDED 997
DISSERTATION
OSC DISSERTATION
Total Units60
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:

  1. Develop substantive core research-based knowledge in the field of autism and a related discipline (e.g., education, occupational therapy, sociology).
  2. Apply interdisciplinary research-based perspectives and practices to promote collaboration and innovation in the field of autism research and practice.
  3. Master methodologies required to evaluate and conduct independent research.
  4. Design and conduct original research in the field of autism.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate research findings and autism knowledge more generally to professionals and laypeople.