Applied Behavior Analysis (CPSY)
Offered through the Department of Community Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy
in the School of Health and Human Services
B210 Education Building
Phone: 320.308.2160
Fax: 320.308.3216
Department E-mail:ccp@stcloudstate.edu
Department Web site: www.stcloudstate.edu/ccp
Department Chairperson: Dr. Manijeh Daneshpour
Department Secretary: Ms. Sandi Radzak
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Eric Rudrud
BACB Coordinator: Dr. Eric Rudrud
Graduate Faculty: Edrisinha, Rapp, Rudrud, Schulze, Weatherly
This program is offered on-campus and is also available for 100 % completion on-line.
One on-campus visit for thesis defense or comprehensive examination is required.
Accreditation Specific to the Program
- This program is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International
- Coursework is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board
Program Overview
This master of science program is designed for those students who desire advanced academic and professional training in behavior analysis. Students may specialize by taking electives in areas such as: autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, behavior therapy, functional analysis, or the experimental analysis of behavior.
Employers
Graduates are prepared to find employment in a variety of agencies, private practice, or consulting. Job settings may include: behavior therapist in clinical settings, behavior support specialists in educational settings, behavioral medicine, intensive behavior therapy programs for children with autism, residential and vocational programs serving persons with developmental disabilities and persons with mental illness, and behavior analyst III/supervisor at Minnesota regional treatment centers.
Graduates may also elect to pursue doctoral training in fields such as experimental or applied analysis of behavior, professional scientific psychology, educational psychology, and school psychology.
Admission Requirements Specific to the Program
- The GRE is required.
- The GRE is waived for individuals with a post-baccalaureate degree from a domestic or international accredited institution.
- Candidate selection is based on a combination of several factors including, but not limited to, grade point average (GPA), Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, letters of recommendation, relevant academic and work experience, fit between student goals and program offerings, research skills, writing skills as evidenced in the statement of intent, and the relevance of the undergraduate degree.
- In order to be considered for admission, a candidate must meet or exceed one or more of the following criteria:
- 2.75 GPA
- 152 (new scale) or 480 (old scale) on the verbal section of the GRE
- 144 (new scale) or 520 (old scale) on the quantitative section of the GRE
- The scores noted above constitute the minimum criteria for consideration. The strongest candidates will meet or exceed all of these requirements.
- The selection committee prefers recommendations by board certified behavior analysts and faculty from whom a candidate has taken courses.
- The committee also accepts recommendations from a candidate’s immediate supervisor provided he or she is able to attest to the candidate’s aptitude for graduate training. While the strength of a candidate’s clinical skills will be of interest over time, clinical skills alone are not necessarily tied to one’s ability to successfully complete graduate school.
- Relevant work experience involves the development and implementation of behavior analytically based interventions.
- Relevant academic experience includes credit and non-credit instruction in the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis. Non-credit courses, workshops, and conferences also reflect well on an application but are not given the same weight as credit courses.
Wait list Information
- Competition for limited places in the ABA program requires the necessity of a wait list. Click here for details.
Admission Deadline Specific to the Program
- M.S. in ABA : February 1 for fall semester start date.
- BACB Courses : Ongoing registration for fall, spring and summer semesters. See department web site.
Length of Program — Measured by Semesters
- Part-time student on campus: seven semesters taking six credits per semester.
- Full-time student on campus: four semesters taking nine to twelve credits per semester.
- Distance student: seven semesters taking six credits per semester.
- Students must apply and be accepted as either a distance student or an on-campus student.
- All students must complete a 750 clock-hour internship.
Graduate Assistantship Overview
- Generally graduate assistantship positions for on-campus students are available both fall and spring semesters.
- Graduate assistants assist faculty members with research projects and teaching activities.
Degrees and Plans Offered
- Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis: Plan A (Thesis) 45 credits
- Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis: Plan B (Written Comprehensive Examination) 46 credits
- Course sequence for BACB (CPSY 630, 641,634, 530, and one additional course from 3 choices)
Master of Science — Applied Behavior Analysis
Plan A, 45 credits; Plan B, 46 credits
Research courses
Plan A, 9 credit minimum; Plan B, 3 credit minimum
- CPSY 641. Single Case Design, 3 credits
- CPSY 699. Thesis (Plan A only), 6 credits
Major courses
Plan A or B, 24 credit minimum
- CPSY 597. Practicum in Behavior Analysis, 3 credits
- CPSY 541. Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 3 credits
- CPSY 630. Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis, 3 credits
- CPSY 633. Behavioral Applications I, 3 credits
- CPSY 634. Behavioral Assessment, 3 credits
- CPSY 635. Behavior Applications II, 3 credits
- CPSY 636. Ethics in Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis, 3 credits
- CPSY 643. Social Bases of Behavior, 3 credits
Plan B, 4 credit minimum
- CPSY 639. Comprehensive Exam Prep, 3 credits
- CPSY 640. Comprehensive Exam, 1 credit
Internship course
Plan A or B, 9 credit minimum
- CPSY 697. Supervised Internship in Behavior Analysis, 9 credits
Electives
Plan A, 3 credit minimum; Plan B, 6 credit minimum
- CEEP 678. Introduction to Graduate Statistics, 3 credits
- CPSY 637. Functional Analysis, 3 credits
- CPSY 638. Autism, 3 credits
- CPSY 530. Seminar, 3 credits
Internship/practicum experience
All students are required to complete a 750-hour clinical internship in an applied setting agreed upon by the student and the faculty advisor. Internship activities are under the direction of a faculty supervisor and an on-site supervisor. On-site supervision will be provided by a Licensed Psychologist (or equivalent) and or a BCBA certified behavior analyst or equivalent.
Online eligibility
Students wishing to enroll in the online ABA program without having to attend on the St. Cloud campus can take courses from almost anywhere in the world. Students from other countries can pursue online programs while in their home country or while in the U.S. on a different visa type other than F-1 and J-1. F-1 and J-1 visa students in the United States are not eligible to enroll in online academic programs at SCSU due to the requirements set by the Department of Homeland Security.
For Admission inquires for the BCBA courses or online masters program, contact:
April Rapp, MS, BCBA
Student Services Coordinator-Behavior Analysis Distance Learning
Center for Continuing Studies
alrapp@stcloudstate.edu
320.308.3873
BACB Graduate Coursework Options
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (Master’s degree required)
- CPSY 630 Advanced Behavior Analysis
- CPSY 641 Single Case Design
- CPSY 634 Behavioral Assessment
- CPSY 633 Behavioral Applications I
- CPSY 635 Behavioral Applications II
- CPSY 636 Ethics in Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis
