Rate My Professor Bonnie Kraemer

Bonnie R. Kraemer, Ph.D., BCBA-D, serves as Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Special Education at San Diego State University College of Education, a position she assumed in January 2025 following her 20 years on the faculty since 2005. She holds a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of California, Riverside, an M.A. in Special Education from Chapman University, and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of New Mexico from 1999 to 2002. Kraemer coordinates the preliminary credential program in extensive support needs, teaches in the Master's program emphasizing autism, and directs the applied behavior analysis certificate program. Her research specializes in severe intellectual disabilities and autism, with emphasis on families, instruction, transition, quality of life, and applied behavior analysis. She has served as Project Director or Co-Director on multiple Office of Special Education Programs personnel preparation grants preparing teachers in autism and secondary transition, including a $1.25 million grant for cross-training special educators and school psychologists in behavior and mental health. As Site Co-Principal Investigator for the multi-site Institute of Education Sciences-funded Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism (CSESA), she contributed to the largest national study of evidence-based practices for over 500 high school and transition-age youth with autism spectrum disorder, their families, and school teams.

Kraemer's scholarly impact is evidenced by her Google Scholar profile with nearly 2,000 citations. Key publications include "Transition for young adults with severe mental retardation: School preparation, parent expectations, and family involvement" (Mental Retardation, 2001), "Quality of life for young adults with mental retardation during transition" (Mental Retardation, 2003), "Transition satisfaction and family well being among parents of young adults with severe intellectual disability" (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 2009), and "Educational interventions for children and youth with autism: A 40-year perspective" (Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2021). She has secured over $25 million in federal grants, including Co-Principal Investigator roles on Project EXPRESS ($3.8 million, IES, 2021-2026) evaluating executive function and social skills interventions, and High School SUCCESS ($800,925, NIMH, 2017-2021). Awards include the 2025 Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Faculty Contributions, Most Influential Faculty Awards (2010, 2014, 2016), and appointment as Doctoral Faculty (2010). Kraemer chaired the College of Education Policy Council, served on the University Senate for 10 years, and acted as interim department chair in 2024.