College Adds Masters in Therapy Proven Effective in Treating Autism

Only a handful of colleges and universities in the United States offer master's degrees in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), a treatment for autism identified by the United States Centers for Disease Control as being effective in the education and treatment of individuals with autism, and The Sage Colleges (http://www.sage.edu/)' Sage Graduate School is now among them.

The Sage Graduate School's Master of Science in ABA and Autism (http://www.sage.edu/academics/education/programs/aba_autism/) has been approved by the New York State Board of Regents and is the only one in the U.S. that offers the program online, which means professionals working from Albany, NY to Seattle, WA, and from Osceola, FL, to Navajo reservations in Utah are eligible to complete their Master's Degree in ABA and Autism without having to relocate.

ABA is a branch of psychology rooted in the study of human behavior and is a therapeutic approach that has been shown to improve the language skills, behaviors and socialization of those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. One focus of the program will be the procedures and strategies for dealing with language development, abnormal behavioral patterns and socialization issues. The second major focus involves a deep understanding of autism, its cause and strategies for assessment.

The incidence of autism among children has been dramatically increasing over the past several years. Currently, 1 in 155 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The program will be delivered via distance learning, utilizing online delivery of classes, as well as clinical supervision delivered by geographically close adjunct supervisors or alternative supervision (e.g., webcam observation). The application of skills will be evaluated in clinical settings where Sage students will be working with persons with autism and other autism spectrum disorders. Those who complete Sage's master's program in ABA and Autism are eligible to take the national examination to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

"Classes" begin in the fall of 2008. For more information, go to www.sage.edu. Click on New! ABA/Autism Degree under "what's new."

About The Sage Colleges

The Sage Colleges is an independent comprehensive university with two four-year undergraduate colleges: Russell Sage College for women in Troy, N.Y and the coeducational Sage College of Albany. Through SCA's Sage After Work program, working adults with prior college credit can complete the bachelor's degree in a flexible schedule and format. The coeducational Sage Graduate School offers master's and doctoral degrees on both campuses.

Contact:

Sheila Carmody

Director of Media Relations

The Sage Colleges

45 Ferry Street

Troy, NY 12180

carmos @ sage.edu

Office - (518) 244-4593

Cell - (518) 366-6148

www.sage.edu

College Adds Masters in Therapy Proven Effective in Treating Autism