Autism Behavioral Studies Major
The autism behavioral studies program at Saint Joseph's University has a strong focus in behavioral analysis, health policy and more. Many students choose to learn from experts at the University's Kinney Center of Autism Education.
Goal 1: Graduates of the Autism Behavioral Studies Program will know and understand the potential causes, symptoms and diagnostic criteria of autism spectrum disorders as well as the specific needs of individuals with autism across the lifespan and how they are treated.
Outcome 1.1: Demonstrate knowledge of the current theories on the causes of autism spectrum disorders.
Outcome 1.2: Demonstrate knowledge of the frequency, characteristics, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Outcome 1.3: Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of stereotypes, stigma, and discrimination of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Goal 2: Graduates of the Autism Behavioral Studies Program will know and understand the unique and specific behavioral needs of individuals with autism as well as both medical and behavioral approaches to autism treatment and related issues.
Outcome 2.1: Identify the behavioral needs of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders and demonstrate the current behavioral approaches to treating behavioral issues of individuals with autism using Applied Behavior Analysis and medically related therapeutic services.
Outcome 2.2: Demonstrate the ability to communicate orally and in writing in the language of the discipline and particularly on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Goal 3: Graduates of the Autism Behavioral Studies Program will understand, follow and demonstrate the ethics guidelines and professional codes of conduct for working with individuals with autism.
Outcome 3.1: Demonstrate the roles and responsibilities of behavior analysts, therapists, allied health professionals and related staff, and demonstrate understanding of ethics guidelines in working with individuals with autism.
Outcome 3.2: Graduates will act as responsible citizens, embracing personal and career objectives that honor and serve individuals with autism and their families.
Goal 4: Graduates of the Autism Behavioral Studies Program will identify and understand the difficulties that families face in coping with autism and the impact of paying for autism-related services, as well as the social and economic impact on families and on society.
Outcome 4.1: Identify the impact on parents, siblings, families, and friends of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and demonstrate how to best help these individuals cope with associated stress.
Outcome 4.2: Identify the impact of political issues, including funding and approval of services, around autism spectrum disorders.
Goal 5: Graduates of the Autism Behavioral Studies Program will demonstrate how to collect behavioral data using Applied Behavior Analysis; to measure the progress of individuals with autism; to develop behavioral plans for individuals with autism; and/or to conduct research on individuals with autism or on related treatment plans.
Outcome 5.1: Collect data on the progress of individuals with autism and develop behavioral plans; or collect data for the purpose of conducting research on a particular topic in the field of autism.
Outcome 5.2: Identify and demonstrate methods to empirically assess and evaluate the progress of individuals with autism spectrum disorders for the purpose of developing intervention plans.
Cornerstone Core Curriculum Requirements
Consist of 14 core and 2 overlay requirements. See below for additional detailed information on each of these requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Course Requirements | ||
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| World History Course Area | 3 | |
| Philosophy Requirements | ||
Either Level One or Level Two (but not both) -- must be Ethics designated. If approved, philosophy courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive overlay. Students may not double-count the same course as Philosophy Level Two and as a Mission Overlay course. | ||
| Philosophy Level One | 3 | |
| Philosophy Level Two | 3 | |
| Theology & Religious Studies Requirements | ||
If approved, Theology & Religious Studies courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive overlay. Students may not double-count the same course as CCC Theology and as a Mission Overlay course. | ||
| Theology | 3 | |
| Religious Studies | 3 | |
| Diversity & INT 151 Requirements | ||
A student's Diversity course may not count for any other CCC course area requirement or as their Mission Overlay course. If approved, Diversity courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive Overlay requirement. INT 151 may not count for any other CCC requirements. This course must be taken in the first two years | ||
| Diversity | 3 | |
| INT 151 | Inequality in American Society | 1 |
| Math & Natural Science Requirements | ||
If approved, Math & Natural Science Requirements may count toward overlay requirements. | ||
| Mathematics | 3-4 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, such Social Science Requirement may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Non-Native Language Requirement | 3-4 | |
A single Non-Native Language course may not count as an overlay course but a second language course fulfills a student's Mission Overlay requirement. | ||
| Literature Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, Literature courses may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design courses may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Overlay Requirements | ||
| Writing-Intensive | 3 | |
If approved, Writing-Intensive courses may double count as major courses, minor courses, electives, or as any CCC course area requirement except for the first-year courses (World History and Rhetoric and Composition). | ||
| Mission-Overlay | 3 | |
Mission Overlay courses may double count as major courses, minor courses, elective courses, or any of the following CCC course areas: Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design, Literature, Mathematics, Natural Science, or Social Science. | ||
| Total Hours | 47-49 | |
Recommended CCC Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Social Science | ||
| Introductory Psychology | ||
| Writing Intensive | ||
| Health Sciences Research | ||
| Mission-Overlay | ||
| Intro to Special Edu w/Field | ||
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ABA 100 | Intro Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| ABA 200 | Applied Behav Anlysis & Autism | 3 |
| ABA 201 | Skill Assess & Instr ABA&ASD | 3 |
| ABA 468 | Resources& Advocacy for Autism | 3 |
| ABA 469 | Adult/Transition Autism | 3 |
| ABA 470 | Senior Sem ABS Research | 3 |
| HSC 331 | Health Sciences Research | 3 |
| Additional PSY Course | 3 | |
| Area Studies Courses | 12 | |
| 12 credits (at least two courses must be from Special Education or Teacher Education) | ||
| Intro Health Prof Practice | ||
| Health of School Aged Children | ||
| Language and Communication | ||
| Phonetics | ||
| Philosophy of Mental Illness | ||
| Lifespan Development | ||
| Psychological Disorders | ||
| Biological Bases of Behavior | ||
| Neuropsychology | ||
| Psychology of Emotion | ||
| Child Psychological Disorders | ||
| Soc/Emo Dev/Lrn: Erly Chld | ||
| Intro to Special Edu w/Field | ||
| Inclusive Classrooms w/ Field | ||
| Emot-Beh'l Disabil w/Field | ||
| Fam School & Comm:Diverse Soc | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Free Electives
Graduation requires 120 credits. Any credits necessary to reach that number outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| Theology | 3 | |
| Non-Native Language | 3-4 | |
| Diversity | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ABA 100 | Intro Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| Mathematics | 3-4 | |
| Philosophy Level One | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSY 100 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| ABA 200 | Applied Behav Anlysis & Autism | 3 |
| ABS Area Studies course (1 of 4) | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |
| World History | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ABA 201 | Skill Assess & Instr ABA&ASD | 3 |
| Religious Studies | 3 | |
| Fine & Performing Arts, Design & Creativity | 3 | |
| INT 151 | Inequality in American Society | 1 |
| Free Electives | 3-6 | |
| Hours | 13-16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| ABA 468 | Resources& Advocacy for Autism | 3 |
| ABA 469 | Adult/Transition Autism | 3 |
| SPE 160 | Intro to Special Edu w/Field | 3 |
| PSY Course | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ABS Area Studies course (2 of 4) | 3 | |
| HSC 331 | Health Sciences Research | 3 |
| Philosophy Level Two | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| ABS Area Studies course (3 of 4) | ||
| Free Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| ABA 470 | Senior Sem ABS Research | 3 |
| ABS Area Studies course (4 of 4) | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 116-121 | |