A master’s in autism can help deepen your understanding of autism spectrum disorder and expand your skills in education and support. It may also open pathways to roles in teaching, advocacy or specialized care, depending on your goals and experience.
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Approved and verified accurate by the Dean of the College of Education on July 21, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
If you’re already working as a licensed special education teacher, then earning a master’s in autism may enable you to teach education classes at the postsecondary level at community colleges that may not require a doctoral degree. If you would like to continue working as a special education teacher in K-12 education, then earning a master's in autism can allow you to examine advanced competencies in the field with an eye toward becoming an even more effective educator.
Careers in the autism field can allow you to make a difference in the lives of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). You can empower autistic children to overcome challenges and work toward becoming productive members of society or collegiate students after their secondary education.
Before enrolling in any degree program, it's important to reflect carefully on your career goals. Where do you see yourself down the road, and what would you like the opportunity to do? As you consider your future, you may wish to learn more about the need for educators in the autism field and the various types of careers in autism-related work.
In the U.S., autism has been diagnosed in about one in 36 children, according to the National Autism Association. Autism, a bio-neurological developmental difference, affects every child differently. Some display differences in communication, while others engage in social and play activities differently than a neurotypical child might.2
Although every child with ASD is unique in their own way, they can all benefit from early and ongoing intervention, which can help them thrive, overcome challenges and, often, grow up to become well-functioning members of society. They may be assisted by a diverse team of professionals, which might include case managers, psychiatrists, special education teachers and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). If you’re passionate about empowering autistic kids, you might consider pursuing one of the following careers in the autism field.
Having a child diagnosed with autism is challenging, and it presents a significant learning curve. Parents and other caregivers must not only learn more about the diagnosis and what it means for their child but also figure out how to obtain needed services and how to best support their child at home and in other environments.
A case manager fulfills a vital support role for families. They meet with children and their caregivers, develop an understanding of their needs and help connect them to the resources and services they need. Case managers are advocates for their clients who work to improve quality of life and arrange for early intervention services. In short, case managers help families navigate the healthcare and social services system.
A program coordinator’s job duties could vary widely, depending on their employer. For example, a program coordinator might develop, implement and evaluate various community-based activities designed to support kids, teens or adults with autism spectrum disorders. The program coordinator might also supervise the participants, ensuring their safety and well-being and troubleshooting any problems that may arise.
Alternatively, these types of careers in autism might focus on developing, implementing and evaluating educational activities for school children with autism. They might coordinate with parents, children, teachers, behavior analysts and behavior technicians. They might assist with the creation of behavior intervention plans, participate in meetings with parents and evaluate the progress of the children.
Kids with developmental differences benefit from personalized education that meets their unique needs. Special education teachers fulfill this need, working one-on-one with students and providing instruction in small groups. Special education teachers are charged with creating learning materials and developing lessons that enable students to overcome learning difficulties, such as those related to communication, sensory input or social cues.
Special education teachers are also responsible for developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in collaboration with other professionals and the child’s parents. Each child in special education receives an IEP, which is highly personalized. It’s a dynamic document, meaning that it’s periodically reviewed and updated as the child achieves their goals or their needs change. An IEP specifies:
Special education teachers are responsible for ensuring that each child’s IEP meets their needs. They’re also responsible for implementing it.
A speech-language pathologist, also known as a speech therapist, can help autistic individuals work on overcoming a wide range of problems. These include:
In addition, speech therapists work with family members or other caregivers to help them learn how to support the child at home. They may provide guidance on positive reinforcement, encouraging communication skills and providing opportunities for play activities and skill development.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there is a projected employment of 529,700 special education teachers by the year 2033. From 2023 through 2033, the BLS expects there will be about 35,900 openings for special education teachers during each year of that time period. This encompasses all special ed teachers working in preschool as well as K-12 education.1
States are required by federal law to maintain financial support for special education services, including services for children with ASD.1 This ensures that all children receive access to a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) so that they can live up to their true potential and work toward fulfilling their dreams.
If you earned a bachelor’s degree in education and already have a teaching license as a special education teacher, there are a few reasons why you might decide to continue your education with a Master’s in Autism Spectrum Disorders. You might decide to return to school with the goal of becoming more effective at working with children with autism.
A Master of Arts in Autism Spectrum Disorders may empower you to work with autistic kids with greater confidence as you examine topics such as:
A bachelor’s degree in education that leads to special education licensure will typically examine a wide range of developmental and learning disorders, including ASD. However, it will not focus exclusively on ASD. If many of the kids in your classes have autism, then it can make sense to earn a degree that focuses entirely on these disorders.
Grand Canyon University offers a wide assortment of teaching degrees at the baccalaureate and graduate level, enabling future teachers to get started working toward their career and current teachers to enjoy continuing professional education opportunities. Our academically rich degree programs are rooted in the Christian worldview, emphasizing professional ethics and servant leadership.
Apply today to enroll in the Master of Arts in Autism Spectrum Disorders, a non-licensure degree program, which is available online or in-person evening classes. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor about our degree programs and the admission process.
