Jubilee Hall
CHDCM@shu.edu
shu.edu/academics/m-a-applied-behavior-analysis.html
Program Code: EC_EABA_MA
The master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, is a standalone degree program training students to become practicing behavior analysts. Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the Board Certification Examination administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB®) upon completion of additional supervised experience hours (2000 hours in total) outside of the program requirements. The program is a 42-credit course sequence that is designed to be completed within two years of full-time study. The program contains 30 academic course credits, 6 fieldwork practicum credits and 6 research thesis credits. All course content is consistent with the 5th edition task list of the BACB®. Potential students must have obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in a related field of study.
Accreditation
The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program options are all designed to lead graduates towards Board Certification in Behavior Analysis (BCBA®) as per the most current Behavior Analyst Certification Board requirements. This includes completion of academic coursework, earning of 1500-2000 supervised experience hours (completed independent of the degree program), and passing of the BCBA® certification examination (independent of the degree program). Once certified, New Jersey licensure as a behavior analyst can be obtained. Students are to reference state- and/or region-specific licensure requirements to practice legally. For further information about certification, contact the Behavior Analyst Certification Board at www.BACB.com.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission, applicants are required to submit the following materials:
- Online application and application fee
- Official transcripts of their undergraduate coursework, indicating receipt of a Bachelor's degree in education, psychology, or other related field (minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0)
- Writing sample: a research-based paper in psychology or education of at least ten pages that was previously submitted as part of an undergraduate course. Other subject matter may be considered if the candidate has limited prior psychology or education work
- Letters of recommendation (2)
- Personal statement describing reason for pursuing graduate study in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Interview (upon request)
Course List
Code |
Title |
Hours |
CPSY 6700 | Basic Principles of Behavior | 3 |
CPSY 6705 | Theory and Philosophy in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
CPSY 7700 | | |
CPSY 7701 | | |
CPSY 7705 | | |
EDST 7317 | Measurement - Exp Dsgn in ABA | 3 |
EDST 7321 | Ethcl Lgl Prfsl Iss Behav Anly | 3 |
EDST 7337 | Multiculturalism-Diversity ABA | 3 |
EDST 7322 | Thesis I in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
EDST 7323 | Thesis II in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
EDST 7324 | ABA Practicum I | 3 |
EDST 7325 | ABA Practicum II | 3 |
| 27 |
| 6 |
| Analysis of Verbal Behavior: Advanced Applications | |
| Organizational Behavior Management: Principles and Practices | |
| Precision Teaching | |
| Assessment and Treatment of Severe Problem Behaviors | |
| Language and Social Skills Development in Applied Behavior Analysis | |
| Assessing and Treating Developmental Disabilities Across the Lifespan | |
| 6 |
Total Hours | 33 |
Additional Requirements
Students must successfully defend and submit a completed thesis manuscript to the library in order to graduate with an MA degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. If a student does not complete their thesis work within EDST 7322 Thesis I in Applied Behavior Analysis and EDST 7323 Thesis II in Applied Behavior Analysis, they must register for THCN 7999 Thesis Continuation - Masters, paying all accompanying fees in order to continue working on their thesis. If not completed in one additional semester, students must maintain registration in THCN 8000 Thesis Continuation - Masters, paying all accompanying fees, in order to continue working on their thesis.
Plan of Study
Requirements for the program are outlined in the "Requirements" tab of this Catalogue. This Planner tab offers a sample semester-by-semester model schedule which accounts for historical course availability. For timely completion of the program, students must routinely meet with their assigned academic adviser to carefully plan their schedule based on available courses.
Plan of Study Grid
First Year |
First Semester |
CPSY 6700 |
Basic Principles of Behavior |
3 |
EDST 7317 |
Measurement - Exp Dsgn in ABA |
3 |
CPSY 6705 |
Theory and Philosophy in Behavior Analysis |
3 |
| Hours | 9 |
Second Semester |
EDST 7321 |
Ethcl Lgl Prfsl Iss Behav Anly |
3 |
CPSY 7700 |
|
|
CPSY 7701 |
|
|
| Hours | 3 |
Third Semester |
|
3 |
|
3 |
| Hours | 6 |
Second Year |
First Semester |
EDST 7322 |
Thesis I in Applied Behavior Analysis |
3 |
EDST 7324 |
ABA Practicum I |
3 |
CPSY 7705 |
|
|
| Hours | 6 |
Second Semester |
EDST 7337 |
Multiculturalism-Diversity ABA |
3 |
EDST 7323 |
Thesis II in Applied Behavior Analysis |
3 |
EDST 7325 |
ABA Practicum II |
3 |
| Hours | 9 |
| Total Hours | 33 |