Detroit Public Schools Community District and Michigan State University have launched a partnership to help district teachers build specialized skills for supporting students with autism.
Eligible full-time, certified district teachers can pursue MSU's fully online master's degree in special education with an autism spectrum disorder endorsement. The district will provide tuition support.
The coursework covers academic and behavioral needs, communication, family collaboration and practical strategies for helping students take part in learning. Clinical projects and supervised practice can take place in teachers' own schools.
The district reports that the number of its students identified with autism rose from 1,035 in the 2019-20 school year to 1,957 in 2026-27. The announcement does not specify a start date or how many teachers will join the program.
