M.A. IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS

The Master's program in ABA was designed to prepare students for employment within the fields where there are growing demands for competent professionals with expertise in applied behavior analysis: namely, developmental services, special education, and mental health. Students are required to show proficiency in coursework and to complete a research thesis. The curriculum for this program focuses on (a) the principles and procedures of basic and applied behavior analysis practice and research and (b) the application of behavior analysis and behavioral support in complex environments (i.e., home, school, work, other community settings, and institutional settings) (c) conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of advanced topics in behavior analysis (d) development and completion of independent research in behavior analysis.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.3
  • Bachelor's Degree or higher, preferably in a related field such as psychology, education, or special education
  • Official undergraduate/graduate transcripts
  • Satisfactory scores on the general Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) (Students who already have a Master's degree are exempt from this requirement)
  • Two letters of recommendation for graduate study
  • Writing sample: a research-based paper in psychology or education of at least ten pages that was previously submitted as part of an undergraduate or graduate course. Other subject matter may be considered if the candidate has had limited prior psychology or education work.
  • Personal statement of several pages in length describing reason for pursuing graduate study in ABA at Caldwell College
  • Personal Interview

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS – 45 CREDITS

Required Courses (33 credits –all 11 courses listed below)

  • PS 510 Survey of Research Methods and Statistics
  • PS 537 Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PS 526 Behavior Analysis and Learning
  • PS 534 Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PS 553 Assessing Autism Interventions
  • PS 556 Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PS 561 Ethics and Professionalism in ABA
  • PS 572 Language and Social Skills for Individuals with Autism
  • PS 573 Scientific Writing for Behavior Analysts
  • PS 650 Thesis in Applied Behavior Analysis I
  • PS 651 Thesis in Applied Behavior Analysis II

Elective Courses (12 credits -any 4 courses listed below)

  • PS 615 Functional Behavior Assessment
  • PS 616 Assessment & Program Development for Individuals with Autism Part I
  • PS 620 Stimulus Control
  • PS 625 Motivational Systems and Reinforcement
  • PS 626 Assessment & Program Development for Individuals with Autism Part II
  • PS 630 Choice & Preference
  • PS 635 Concept Formation
  • PS 640 Self-Management
  • PS 645 Developmental Disabilities
  • PS 646 Analysis of Verbal Behavior
  • PS 655 Philosophy of Behaviorism
  • PS 521 Cognitive Psychology
  • PS 600 Behavior Analysis of Child Development
  • PS 601 Behavioral Applications to Childhood Disorders
  • PS 603 Older Learners with Autism
  • PS 604 Advanced Language and Social Skills for Individuals with Autism
  • PS 648 Standardized Testing for Developmental Disabilities

TRANSFER OF GRADUATE CREDIT

Caldwell College will accept the transfer of a maximum of twelve credits of graduate work in Psychology, Education or a closely related field, provided that the credits were completed within five years of the student's registration at Caldwell College. Official transcripts of previous graduate work as well as the catalog description of each course must be submitted for review at the time of application. Approval of transfer credit is based on course content and grade earned in the course. Each transfer request will be reviewed by the Program Coordinator.

STATEMENT OF OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT

As the capstone requirement for the Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis, students must complete the courses Research Thesis I and II (PS 650 & PS 651). In these classes, students will first complete a comprehensive survey of the research literature in a particular area within applied behavior analysis. They will then design and conduct an original empirical research thesis using the principles of ABA and an appropriate single-case research design. When completed, the research study will then be written up in the style of the American Psychological Association (APA). Following the write-up, the thesis will involve an oral defense/presentation to a committee of faculty members. The goal of the completed thesis is to generate a scholarly work that will be of professional presentation and/or publication quality.