4+1 Program in Autism Studies
The “4+1 Program in Autism Studies” allows undergraduates from the tri-campus community to complete a bachelor’s degree and the Master of Autism Studies (MAS) in five years. Because students in the 4+1 program take up to twelve credit hours of autism studies courses while they are still undergraduates, they take fewer courses in their fifth year, which provides a savings of time and money in comparison with students who complete the free-standing MAS.
Exceptional Education Track
The proposed “4+1 Program in Autism Studies: Exceptional Education Track” will make it possible for Saint Mary’s and other tri-campus students to earn the Master of Autism Studies and a BA in Elementary Education with eligibility for licenses in Elementary Education, Mild Intervention, and Intense Intervention—all in five years and for the same tuition students would pay if they did the BA and MAS separately without the Intense Intervention coursework.[1] The instructional program leading to eligibility for the Intense Intervention license consists of three graduate-level courses in education (EDUC 530, 565, and 568). Students in the “4+1 Program in Autism Studies” who have completed the Dual Licensure Program in Elementary Education with Mild Intervention during their baccalaureate phase will be able to take the graduate-level courses required for the Intense Intervention license during their fifth year in the program.
Application Process:
Current juniors meeting the requirements set forth below may apply to the Master of Autism Studies program under the 4+1 option. If admitted to the master’s program, the student will take two graduate level courses the summer between your junior and senior year in the Autism Studies program one to two while a senior allowing you to earn up to twelve credits towards your graduate degree while still an undergraduate. The application requirements are as follows:
- Completed application form
- The applicant is a current junior
- Personal statement
- Writing sample or Video interview response
- Prerequisites as detailed above for exceptional education track only
The most competitive candidates will have maintained at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in undergraduate coursework, though experience with autism (such as being autistic, working in an autism-related field, or being a caregiver) will also be taken into account.
Application Deadline: March 31