Graduate Students
Information for prospective students:
MA in Special Education with Certification in Autism
EdD in Special Education with focus in Autism
Our special education online graduate program is rated among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Reports.
For students interested in pursuing a PhD, please contact Dr. Laci Watkins
In partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, PhD students have the opportunity to participate in UAB's Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) training program, which provides high quality clinical leadership training to graduate students from all relevant disciplines that provide services to children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. This comprehensive interdisciplinary training ultimately promotes the well being of children with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities and their families in Alabama, the Southeast, and the Nation.
MA in Special Education with Certification in Autism
EdD in Special Education with focus in Autism
Our special education online graduate program is rated among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Reports.
For students interested in pursuing a PhD, please contact Dr. Laci Watkins
In partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, PhD students have the opportunity to participate in UAB's Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) training program, which provides high quality clinical leadership training to graduate students from all relevant disciplines that provide services to children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. This comprehensive interdisciplinary training ultimately promotes the well being of children with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities and their families in Alabama, the Southeast, and the Nation.
Current Doctoral Students
Megan Fedewa is a third-year PhD candidate in Special Education with a focus in autism and a LEND trainee. She holds an MA in collaborative special education from The University of Alabama and a BFA from Reinhardt University. Megan is currently the special education teacher at Play Pals, an inclusive preschool program at UA that is a collaboration between the Departments of Special Education and Communicative Disorders. Megan’s research interests include supporting social skills, specifically play development, of children with autism. Her work focuses on Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) and including typically developing peers in interventions to support social communication and play. The goal of her research is to implement evidence-based interventions that support teachers’ and children’s further success in inclusive environments.
Allie Marques is a third-year PhD candidate in Special Education. She holds a BS, MEd, and EdS in special education from the University of West Alabama. Allie was a special education teacher for four years and a special education coordinator for one year. She has experience working in inclusive, resource, and self-contained settings. Her research foci include crisis prevention and de-escalation and strategies to support students with autism and developmental disabilities with challenging behavior in inclusive settings.
Morgan Winston is a first-year doctoral student in Special Education with a focus in autism. She holds a BS in psychology from the University of Central Arkansas and an MA in special education from Henderson State University. Morgan is in her 6th year as a positive behavior support teacher and works in classrooms that integrate education and mental health services. Her research interests are the inclusion of students with autism in general education settings, special education training within general education teacher preparation programs, behavioral interventions in inclusive classrooms, and professional development for teachers toward the successful inclusion of students with autism.
