Externships are completed as a part of graduate-level students’ educational degree program in communication disorders and typically run concurrently with academic semesters lasting approximately 16 weeks. The primary goal is to afford students with advanced insight into the area of Autism Spectrum Disorders and the close interplay between all areas of communication disorders. During the externship experience, students are expected to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to work with a range of ages, diversity, and related disorders within our clinical setting.

Individuals working toward their post-doctoral hours for licensure receive training in the diagnosis of autism, treatment services with children and adults presenting with autism, comorbid mental health diagnoses, and related disorders. Training on the ADOS-2 is the major focus of the fellowship year. This includes training at the clinical and research reliability level on the ADOS-2 and participation in the annual statewide ADOS-2 calibration meeting for all Missouri Autism Center sites. Fellows will have an opportunity to receive training in Motivational Interviewing, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, RUBI Parent Training, ACT Therapy, and other models of intervention for use with parents and families of children with autism during their fellowship training year as training interests are identified by the fellow. Those with interests in research are encouraged to develop a line of study while completing the fellowship. 

Students completing internship hours through the Department of Psychology are encouraged to discuss opportunities available to them at the University Autism Center. Previous students have participated in diagnostic interviews, learned to score diagnostic screening tools, and observed various therapy sessions.

Students working toward their master’s degree in applied behavioral analysis are provided training opportunities in behavior intervention children and young adults. All students begin their training as an Implementer and are given access to online training as a Registered Behavior Technician. Students work under the supervision of licensed behavioral analysts. 

Students working toward their master’s degree in mental health counseling receive training in conducting intake interviews, group counseling, and individual counseling with individuals diagnosed with autism and a range of comorbid mental health diagnoses. Students work under the supervision of licensed psychologists and licensed professional counselors.

Students across disciplines of study are encouraged to call to discuss internship opportunities at the University Autism Center. Examples of internships completed at the UAC include marketing, psychology, applied behavior analysis, and communication disorders. We are open to discussing additional opportunities that would enhance our clients' experiences while meeting the educational goals of students at Southeast Missouri State University.