Beyond Burkhart: Creating Opportunities for Individuals with Autism

April 15, 2021

(VIDEO) Interim co-directors Jennifer Hamrick and Janice Magness create a successful return to in-person activities at the Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research.

On Monday, April 12 students in the Transition Academy stepped through the doors at the Burkhart Center for Autism Education & Research for the first time in more than a year.

These individuals are involved in daily activities and courses that teach social and vocation skills designed to empower students to gain employment both on-campus and beyond.

A behind-the-scenes look shows how Transition Academy Director Janice Magness and her team help provide skills and opportunities to young adults with Autism.

Jennifer Hamrick is also an Assistant Professor in the College of Education and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her 18 years of experience in the field of special education have been integral in the daily work conducted at The Burkhart Center.

tags: Academics, College of Education, Feature Stories, Stories, TTU Features, Videos, provost

Texas Tech University

A new era of excellence is dawning at Texas Tech University as it stands on the cusp of being one of the nation's premier research institutions.

Research and enrollment numbers are at record levels, which cement Texas Tech's commitment to attracting and retaining quality students. In fall 2020, the university achieved a goal more than a decade in the making, reaching a total student population of more than 40,000. In 2018, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education again placed Texas Tech among its top doctoral universities in the nation in the “Very High Research Activity” category. Texas Tech is one of 94 public institutions nationally and 131 overall to achieve this prestigious recognition.

Quality students need top-notch faculty. Texas Tech is home to a diverse, highly revered pool of educators who excel in teaching, research and service. The university strives to foster an environment that celebrates student accomplishment above all else. Texas Tech is large enough to provide the best in facilities and academics but prides itself on being able to focus on each student individually.

The momentum for excellence at Texas Tech has never been greater.

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College of Education

The College of Education at Texas Tech University offers a full range of programs, including 9 doctoral degrees, 10 master's degrees, two bachelor's degrees and numerous specializations which can lead to careers in public or private education as teachers, professors, administrators, counselors and diagnosticians.

Programs in the college are housed in three departments.

The Department of Curriculum & Instruction offers advanced degrees that prepare leaders, researchers, and professors with the knowledge, skills, and practical application experience needed to analyze, construct, and evaluate curricula in ways that create optimal learning conditions for all learners. Language and literacy, bilingual education and STEM education are just a few of the specializations offered by C&I.

The Department of Educational Psychology & Leadership consists of a diverse group of academic programs that equip students with a comprehensive knowledge of learning, motivation, development, and educational foundations. The disciplines of counseling and school psychology are housed within the EP&L department as are programs to prepare future college administrators, primary and secondary school and district leaders, as well as practical and academic educational psychologists.

The Department of Teacher Education focuses solely on teacher preparation, ensuring that teacher candidates are ready for the classroom on day one. The Teacher Education Department is home to TechTeach, an innovative teacher preparation program that puts teacher candidates into public school classrooms for a full year and requires that students pass teacher certification tests prior to entering the classroom. Various paths to teaching careers, including fast-track distance programs statewide and alternative certification options, are also housed in this department.

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The Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research

The Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research is a comprehensive, life span center with a three-fold mission:

Providing services and support to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families across West Texas and the surrounding area

Offering cutting-edge training to teachers, families and other professionals to provide effective and evidence-based services and support to individuals with ASD

Conducting significant, sponsored interdisciplinary research to better understand and overcome the lifelong causes and effects of ASD in ways that improve functionality and quality of life for people with ASD and their families

The Burkhart Center is part of the Texas Tech University College of Education.

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