Graduate Assistantships
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Submit your application to become a Kinney Center Graduate Assistant
If you are pursuing a master’s degree at Saint Joseph’s University in an autism related field, consider building your resume with an immersive graduate assistantship at the Kinney Center. As a graduate assistant you will help maintain and grow our quality autism programming, as well as mentor and advise Kinney SCHOLARS. In return for your service, Kinney will provide financial support towards your Saint Joseph's University master’s degree and hourly pay. Graduate assistants are required to work 20 hours per week, and can choose to receive supervision hours from our team of Behavior Analysts, Clinical Counselors, and Social Workers.
Day Services GA
Are you a quick thinker with the ability to multitask, problem solve, think on your feet, and manage behavioral concerns of our adult learners within the Kinney Center? If so, the Day Services Graduate Assistantship is for you. The average amount of time within our Day Services is 20 paid and 15 supervision hours weekly totaling 35 hours per week. The hours of operation within this program are Monday-Friday, 9-4PM. We have a number of participants in the program with varying abilities, interests, communication styles, and community outings (i.e. activities and employment) making no two days within the Kinney Center alike. In addition, all Day Services clients participate in community outings that a GA escorts them to in a variety of locations surrounding the Philadelphia area. We are currently looking for innovative leaders to enhance programming and take adult services to new heights.
Youth Programs and Camp Kinney GA
Our Youth and Camp Kinney Program at Kinney is a unique opportunity to serve as a leader for undergraduate SCHOLARS. This position’s focus is on social skills development, problem solving and crisis management, while building daily living skills throughout the lifespan. The goal is to collaborate by way of consultation with the caregivers in order to assist in meeting their goals in order to integrate the participants into our additional Kinney Center program options. We hope to expand this program to a broader set of participants with varying developmental levels in order to assist learners and their families during a very difficult time of transition. If seeking BACB supervision, this position is a total of 35 hours (20 paid, and 15 supervision hours). Please note that the active program hours are Wednesday evenings 4:30-8:30PM. This position also has additional responsibility within our day services within Kinney as we work together to support individuals through the continuum of care.
Employment and Assessment GA
Are you interested in being trained to support clients as a job coach within the community? Do you have a skills set to assist clients in reaching their employment goals? If so, we are looking for a dynamic community leader that can strive to meet the needs of our clients outside of the walls of the Kinney Center. Additionally, what would a program be without continuous assessment and evaluation? This position will be the lead assessor with organization and facilitation of the evaluation process of our clients and programming. Results of these assessments will not only assist in the enhancement of services, it will allow the center to expand on research and external funding across programs.
Transitional/Adult Skills and SCHOLAR Focus GA
Transitioning from adolescence to adulthood can be a scary time for anyone. The Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support is currently looking for an innovative mind to build partnerships and relationships with school districts and community partners. The adult skills class runs Tuesday evenings from 4:30-8:30PM. The outline of the program is to provide cooking, transitional, and life skills to assist participants with increasing daily living skills. In addition, this Graduate Assistant will be working within our Bridge to possibilities program as well as assisting in SCHOLAR training while assisting learners with the tools they need to prepare for life within external environments.
ASPIRE
The Kinney Center ASPIRE Graduate Assistant will be responsible for assisting with the ASPIRE Program, a support program for college students with Autism Spectrum Disorder at Saint Joseph's University. The ASPIRE Graduate Assistants will support weekly skills classes related to college success and career readiness, oversee the peer mentoring program, and provide supervision to undergraduate students serving as peer mentors. The ASPIRE Graduate Assistants may also support other ASPIRE/College Autism Support programs when needed. Desired candidates will be enrolled in Clinical Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or Education, but individuals from any program are encouraged to apply.
Vocational and Transitional GA
Do you have a passion for our younger learners and individuals preparing for transitional activities? If so, the Transitional Day and Vocational skills Graduate Assistantship is for you. The age group of participants ranges from 15-22 years of age. Program responsibilities include assisting the Associate Director with transitional day services programming, goal setting, data tracking, as well as information sessions for our newest Kinney Center participants. This position is a total of 35 hours (20 paid with 15 supervision hours). The active program hours are during the day as well as Tuesday evenings from 4:30-8:30PM. The PAES lab and Vocational skills GA also plays a huge part in building relationships with our transitional families in order to assist them with the tools they need during both semesters as well as during Camp Kinney.
Caregiver Support and Community Partners GA
Do you have an interest in consultation, empowerment, programming and training? If so, the Caregiver Support and Community Partners Graduate Assistantship is for you! Working weekdays and some select weekends, the caregiver support program is one of our newest programs here at Kinney. The Caregiver Support program runs Wednesday from 4:30-8:30PM. Please note on Select Saturdays, you have the option of flexing your schedule during the week to have additional time for a work/life student balance. The other portion of the position will have a significant role in the enhancement of our community partners. These partnerships allow us to constantly evolve and grow our programming. Come and be a part of something special here at the Kinney Center.
The extensive amount of hands-on experience prepared me for the BCBA exam and provided many options post-graduation."
![Libby Wagand]()
Libby Wigand
M.S., BCBA
Pursue Graduate Studies
Continue your education at Saint Joseph’s University by pursing a master’s level degree in behavior analysis, special education, clinical counseling, social work, occupational therapy, and more. The Kinney Center offers supervision for graduate students working toward their BCBA certification as well as supervision for clinical counseling and social work practicum/internship, as well as fieldwork for OT and PT.