Maria P. Mello

Associate Professor
PhD, Special Education, Vanderbilt UniversityMEd, Special Education, Vanderbilt UniversityBA, Psychology , Swarthmore College

Teaching Interests

Practicum and Field Experience in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis, Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports, Foundations of Special Education

Research Interests

Transition to Adulthood, Inclusive Post-secondary Education, Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports, Family Advocacy, Special Education Teacher Education, Global Perspectives in Special Education, Quantitative research, Mixed Methods research

Courses Taught

EDU
3000
INDEPENDENT STUDY: LITERACY
EDU
3287
EDUCTNAL RESRCH & DATA ANAL II
EDU
9702
PRACT SP ED CHILDHOOD
EDU
9705
PRACTICUM SP ED ADOLSCENT
EDU
9711
ED ACCOM NEEDS IND W EXC K-12
EDU
9719
PRINCIPLES OF ABA AND PBS
EDU
9743
SP ED C&L DIV CHLD & FAM B-2
EDU
9745
PRACT IN SPED (150 HRS)

Select Publications

Journal Articles

Goldman, S. E., and Mello, M. P. (2025). Understanding the Perceptions of School Engagement of Parents of Students With Autism. Remedial and Special Education. vol. 46, pp. 163-175.

Mello, M. P., Burke, M. M., Taylor, J. L., Urbano, R., and Hodapp, R. M. (2021). Characteristics of Students With Disabilities Who Do and Do Not Receive Transition Services. The Journal of Special Education. vol. 54, pp. 251-259.

Mello, M. P., Goldman, S. E., Urbano, R. C., and Hodapp, R. M. (2016). Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Comparing Rural and Non-Rural Communities. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities. vol. 51, pp. 355-365.

Burke, M. M., Mello, M. P., and Goldman, S. E. (2016). Examining the Feasibility of a Special Education Advocacy Training Program. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. vol. 28, pp. 539-556.

Griffin, M. M., Mello, M. P., Glover, C. A., Carter, E. W., and Hodapp, R. M. (2016). Supporting Students With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Postsecondary Education: The Motivations and Experiences of Peer Mentors. Inclusion. vol. 4, pp. 75-88.