ASU West has responded to a critical demand for educators capable of serving the needs of children through age five who have disabilities or developmental vulnerabilities. The need for qualified individuals is increasing with the population growth in the Valley and across the state. The ASU West program s curriculum addresses topics including typical and atypical development, family and culture, assessment and planning, and intervention strategies.
Students complete a variety of field-based assignments.
I ve been waiting several years for a program like this to be available, says Chris Mahler, Maricopa County program coordinator for the Arizona Early Intervention Program, who is pursuing the new ASU West degree. My educational background is in elementary education, and this master s degree will give me a broader base of knowledge and skills specific to the area in which I m now working. The program s schedule is designed to meet the needs of working professionals, with evening classes offered in seven-week blocks. Students are able to complete the degree in two years by completing two courses each semester while attending class only one evening each week.