The doctoral concentration in Autism Intervention focuses on the preparation of personnel to assume leadership roles in research, education, and training. In addition to the required course work, all doctoral students will have opportunities to accomplish a number of professional competencies including submitting a grant application, submitting a manuscript for publication consideration, course instruction, and presenting at professional conventions. The requirements are designed to increase the capacity of graduates to provide effective leadership in the area of autism programming and policy development and to conduct valid, empirical intervention-based research that will bridge existing research-to-practice gaps and improve outcomes for students with autism spectrum disorders and their families.
A Master's Degree in Special Education or a closely related field is required for application to the doctoral program. Candidates with master's degrees in other fields will be required to take up to five additional courses in Special Education, with advisor's approval.
Applying to a graduate program at UNT is a two-step process.
The doctoral program in special education requires a minimum of 63 hours of course work and research experience in one of the following two concentrations:
- Developmental Disabilities and Autism Concentration
- Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders
A master’s degree with a major in special education or a closely related field is required for application to the PhD. Candidates with master’s degrees in other fields will be required to take up to five additional courses in special education, with advisor’s approval.
The following requirements are for students who enter the program with a related master’s degree.
Educational psychology PhD core, 6 hours
And one of the following
Educational Research core, 15 hours
Special Education core, 21 hours
One of the following concentrations, 9 hours
Developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders
Learning disability and behavior disorders concentration
Supervised research/practice, 3 hours
Dissertation, 9 hours minimum