Department of Special Education, Professional Counseling, and Disability Studies

M.Ed. Special Education

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities

William Paterson University invites applications for adjunct faculty within the College of Education, Department of Special Education, Professional Counseling, and Disability Studies.

Application review is ongoing and continuous.  Applicants will not be automatically contacted.  Instead, applicants will be contacted if and when there is an immediate need or on an exploratory basis. Applications are valid for a two-year period, at which point they will be deleted from the system.  Please feel free to reapply after two years with updated information. 

This is a William Paterson University online program, which is delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals seeking an M.Ed. Special Education. The program features convenient multiple start dates each year.

Courses in this program generally taught by adjunct faculty include:

• SPED 5190: Introduction to Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities
• SPED 6590: Communication and Social Competence for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities
• SPED 6190: Interventions and Assessments for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities
• SPED 5500: Positive Behavioral Supports for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities
• SPED 6370: Collaboration and Life Planning for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities
• SPED 6360: Applying Inclusive Principles for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities
• SPED 6700: Issues and Trends of Special Education and Technology
• SPED 6710: Intersectional Pedagogy and Individuals with Disabilities
• SPED 6730: Teacher as Professional Leader
• SPED 6720: Teacher as Researcher

Program Overview:

The Masters of Education in Special Education in Advanced Programming in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Developmental Disabilities (DD) is an advanced 30 credit special education program focusing on current research and inquiry.

This program promotes the relationship between ASD and DD and it emphasizes how to facilitate and improve professional development and special education leadership in schools, districts, and the field overall. Upon completion, teachers and other school professionals will obtain a master’s degree which is aligned to the Council for Exceptional Children’s advanced professional standards.

For more information about the program, please see https://online.wpunj.edu/programs/med-autism-spectrum-disorder-development-disabilities.aspx

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Using the course outline as a guide, develop relevant syllabi in order to deploy course content, objectives, and methods of student assessment for up to six (6) credits per semester in an graduate course (see course listings above)
• Participate actively in the online discussions: sharing experiences and perspectives; probing students with questions that require critical thinking skills; highlighting key learning points; answering student questions.
• Administer evaluations of student performance based on course deliverables and course rubrics. All course grades will be posted on the Blackboard Grade Center in a timely manner.
• Contribute to student success by providing consistent and effective support and guidance through role modeling and mentoring
• Use WPU email, Blackboard, and other WPU specific technology (Starfish / Banner / Chalk and Wire) for a variety of teaching, assessment,  and administrative applications

Required Qualifications:

• Earned Master’s degree and relevant professional experience with individuals on the autism spectrum and / or individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
• Earned degrees should be in Special Education or a relevant field (Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Public Policy)
• State certification as a Special Education Teacher or member of a Child Study Team
• Five or more years experience working in a professional setting (school, agency, community program)  serving individuals on the autism spectrum and / or individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities

Preferred Qualifications:

• One or more years teaching in higher education
• Experience teaching online

Personal Attributes and Traits:

• Thrives in a collegial, cooperative environment
• Dedicated to excellence and achieving positive outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment
• Capacity to fulfill professional responsibilities with a strong sense of moral duty and obligation to the work at hand

Interested candidates should:

• Complete an online application
• Submit a curriculum vitae/resume and cover letter

Application review is ongoing and continuous.  Applicants will not be automatically contacted.  Instead, applicants will be contacted if and when there is an immediate need or on an exploratory basis. Applications are valid for a two-year period, at which point they will be deleted from the system.  Please feel free to reapply after two years with updated information. 

General questions related to this application process should be directed to talent@wpunj.edu

About William Paterson:

William Paterson University is the third most diverse public university in New Jersey. As a longstanding member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), we have been designated by the US Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. William Paterson University is also proud to be designated as a NASA MSI (Minority Serving Institution). The University offers more than 250 undergraduate and graduate academic programs that range from liberal arts and sciences to pre- professional and professional programs; it enrolls nearly 10,000 students from across the country and from over 40 nations. The University is situated on a beautiful, 370-acre suburban campus in Wayne, New Jersey, just twenty miles west of New York City.