Teaching Individuals with Autism: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for educators seeking specialized expertise, this program equips professionals to create and deliver tailored educational experiences for individuals across the autism spectrum. It emphasizes evidence-based strategies, legal frameworks, and collaborative practices essential for fostering academic, social, and behavioral growth in diverse learning environments.
- Autism Spectrum Identification and Assessment: Develops skills in recognizing early indicators and diagnostic features of autism through behavioral observation, standardized screening tools, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Development: Focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating customized learning plans aligned with student needs, goals, and legal requirements.
- Instructional Strategies for Neurodiverse Learners: Explores specialized teaching methods, including visual supports, structured teaching, and technology-assisted learning, to enhance engagement and comprehension.
- Behavioral Intervention and Support Systems: Covers proactive and responsive approaches to managing challenging behaviors using principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and positive behavior supports.
- Collaborative and Family-Centered Practices: Emphasizes communication and partnership with families, caregivers, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure consistent support across settings.
- Special Education Law and Policy: Provides in-depth understanding of federal and state regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), to ensure equitable access and compliance in educational delivery.
Teaching Individuals with Autism Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Teaching Individuals with Autism Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Teaching Individuals with Autism degrees, including Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Special Education Teachers, Secondary School and Special Education Teachers, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 384,750 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School 25-2058 | $69,590 | $47,930 - $106,050 | 162,780 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other 25-2059 | $67,430 | $43,220 - $109,360 | 39,350 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School 25-2057 | $64,880 | $48,070 - $102,730 | 95,330 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool 25-2051 | $62,190 | $38,740 - $132,530 | 28,200 | N/A |
Teaching Individuals with Autism Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,096 in Mississippi to $98,568 in New York—a 101% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, California, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 384,750 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Teaching Individuals with Autism by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 73 institutions offering Teaching Individuals with Autism programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Teaching Individuals with Autism is found at Ball State University (BSU) (337 graduates), Grand Canyon University (GCU) (147 graduates), Liberty University (34 graduates), Appalachian State University (App State) (29 graduates), and University of Kansas (KU) (27 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,002 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
337 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Master's
|
147 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| Liberty University |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
34 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Postbac Cert.
|
29 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
27 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
21 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Cambridge College |
Master's
|
20 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | cambridgecollege.edu |
| Felician University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
19 | Lodi, New Jersey | Private | felician.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
19 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
15 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| George Mason University |
Postbac Cert.
|
15 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| Mary Baldwin University (MBU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Staunton, Virginia | Private | marybaldwin.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
14 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| Concordia University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
14 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | csp.edu |
| Northeastern State University (NSU) |
Master's
|
13 | Tahlequah, Oklahoma | Public | nsuok.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
12 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Universidad Adventista de las Antillas (UAA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
12 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Private | uaa.edu |
| Endicott College |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
10 | Beverly, Massachusetts | Private | endicott.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Other Award
|
10 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Holy Family University |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | holyfamily.edu |
| William & Mary (W&M) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Williamsburg, Virginia | Public | wm.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | cvtc.edu |
| Madonna University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
8 | Livonia, Michigan | Private | madonna.edu |
| Lindenwood University |
Master's
|
8 | Saint Charles, Missouri | Private | lindenwood.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
8 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| Arcadia University |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Glenside, Pennsylvania | Private | arcadia.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
7 | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout |
Other Award
|
7 | Menomonie, Wisconsin | Public | uwstout.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | California, Pennsylvania | Public | pennwest.edu |
| California State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Spring Arbor University (SAU) |
Master's
|
5 | Spring Arbor, Michigan | Private | arbor.edu |
| Crowder College |
Other Award
|
5 | Neosho, Missouri | Public | crowder.edu |
| Miami University |
Other Award
|
5 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Gurabo) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
5 | Gurabo, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| Hamline University |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | hamline.edu |
| Kent State University |
Post-Master's
|
4 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| University of Memphis (UofM) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | memphis.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Mercedita, Puerto Rico | Private | ponce.inter.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Master's
|
3 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| Brenau University |
Master's
|
3 | Gainesville, Georgia | Private | brenau.edu |
| Trinity Christian College |
Master's
|
3 | Palos Heights, Illinois | Private | trnty.edu |
| Morningside University |
Master's
|
3 | Sioux City, Iowa | Private | morningside.edu |
| Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) |
Master's
|
3 | Morristown, New Jersey | Private | steu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Mercyhurst University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
3 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | mercyhurst.edu |
| California State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Los Angeles, California | Public | calstatela.edu |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Denver, Colorado | Public | msudenver.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| Assumption University |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | assumption.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
2 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stthomas.edu |
| NHTI-Concord's Community College (NHTI) |
Other Award
|
2 | Concord, New Hampshire | Public | nhti.edu |
| Davis & Elkins College (D&E) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Elkins, West Virginia | Private | dewv.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | San German, Puerto Rico | Private | sg.inter.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | metro.inter.edu |
| University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) |
Master's
|
2 | Irvine, California | Public | umassglobal.edu |
| Bridgewater State University (BSU) |
Residency
|
1 | Bridgewater, Massachusetts | Public | bridgew.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| Carlow University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | carlow.edu |
| Drexel University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| La Salle University |
Master's
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | lasalle.edu |
| Saint Joseph's University (SJU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | sju.edu |
| Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Public | wctc.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Teaching Individuals with Autism programs
How much can I earn with a Teaching Individuals with Autism degree?
Salaries for Teaching Individuals with Autism graduates vary by role and location. Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $72,090 annually, while Special Education Teachers, Secondary School earn around $69,590. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $98,568 compared to $49,096 in Mississippi. Approximately 384,750 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Teaching Individuals with Autism programs?
Currently 73 accredited institutions offer Teaching Individuals with Autism degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Ball State University (BSU) (337 graduates), Grand Canyon University (GCU) (147 graduates), and Liberty University (34 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Teaching Individuals with Autism growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 373 in 2010 to a peak of 1,037 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,002 in 2023-24. This represents a 169% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Teaching Individuals with Autism degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Special Education Teachers, Secondary School, and Special Education Teachers, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 384,750 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Education Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Education field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Health Education Teacher Preparation
A program that prepares individuals to teach health education programs at various educational levels.
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach vocational home economics programs at various educational levels.
Technology and Industrial Arts Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach technology education/industrial arts programs at various educational levels.
Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations
A program that prepares individuals to teach vocational sales and marketing operations/marketing and distributive education programs at various educational levels.
Mathematics Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach mathematics programs at various educational levels.
Music Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach music and music appreciation programs at various educational levels.