New UM Special Education degree aims to help children with autism and other disorders

OXFORD – Amid a growing demand for applied behavior analysis practitioners and teachers in Mississippi, the University of Mississippi School of Education is launching a new master’s degree program to help fill the need.

“Development of the new program is critical for the children of Mississippi,” said David Rock, UM education dean.

“This program will allow UM to prepare highly qualified professionals to meet the needs of children with autism and plan treatment and early intervention at a young age. There simply are not enough licensed board-certified behavior analysts in our state to meet the need.”

The new program will help get qualified professionals into schools quickly, said Denise A. Soares, associate professor of special education and the program’s coordinator.

“There is an ever-growing need for board-certified behavior analysts in Mississippi,” Soares said. “Our program is unique because it is in the education department. We are focused on teachers and behavior specialists who can learn the skills and implement the practices in classrooms.”

Kayla Crook, a board-certified behavior analyst with five years’ experience in clinical, school and supervisory settings, is the program faculty. Crook received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in behavior analysis therapy from Southern Illinois University and her doctorate in special education with an emphasis in applied behavior analysis from the University of Georgia.

“I am beyond excited and proud to begin this program here at Ole Miss,” Crook said. “I am looking forward to bringing ABA (applied behavior analysis) and behavioral principles to not only our teachers here in Mississippi, but also teach