School of Professional Studies

Education : Graduate Programs

Applied Behavior Analysis

Western offers two options to pursue the applied behavior analysis coursework. You can pursue the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis or pursue the certificate (certificate requires acceptable graduate degree). All of the courses are offered online. Requirements for both options are listed below.

Graduate Coordinator

Dr. Stephanie Kuhn, Ph.D., BCBA-D 

  

 

Phone: (203) 837-3206
kuhns@wcsu.edu
 

Program Faculty

Dr. Adam Brewer, Ph.D., BCBA-D Graduate Coordinator

  

Phone: (203) 837-8510
brewera@wcsu.edu
 

Dr. Janet Burke, Ed.D., BCBA-D Graduate Coordinator

  

Phone: (203) 837-8508
burkej@wcsu.edu

 

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MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS

Program Overview and Mission

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has a requirement of thirty credits. The program is housed in the Education and Educational Psychology Department. The M.S. in ABA offers courses of study students can apply toward advanced degrees or toward careers as Board Certified Behavior Analysts.
The mission of Western Connecticut State University’s Applied Behavior Analysis program is to provide high-quality behavior analytic instruction to practitioners.  We offer courses with advanced online technology in an academic environment dedicated to education and research.

 

Learning Goals and Objectives

Students will be able to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge of the basic skills, underlying principles of applied behavior analysis.  In addition, students will demonstrate mastery of the knowledge of the application of practice-oriented skills in applied behavior analysis. The goal of the program is to provide instruction such that students are professionally competent and proficient in all areas of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® and such that students are prepared the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Certification Examination provided by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®.

 

Learning Objectives

  1. Use assistive technology to promote the skills of speaking, reading, writing and listening with individuals with developmental disabilities who require behavioral modifications.
  2. Prepare and submit a competitive grant proposal to a public or private organization.
  3. Evaluate research for utility in the practice of diagnosing and treating individuals with developmental disabilities or behavior modification needs.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge and expertise in all areas of the  BCBA 5th edition task list.

 

Admission Requirements

Applicants who wish to be admitted to the M.S. in ABA must submit the following materials to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

  1. Application for admission to the Office of Graduate Admissions and a $50 application fee. Online Application (Application deadline for fall: March 1st / for spring: November 1st)
  2. Applicants for the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
  3. One official transcript mailed to the Office of Graduate Admissions from each college or university previously attended, including all earned grades and degree
  4. Applicant’s cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) must be at least a 2.8 for admission into program.
  5. Applicant must submit professional resume/vitae.
  6. Applicant must submit response to the following essay question:

In a single, double-spaced page please tell us why you believe you are a good “fit” for Western Connecticut State University’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program. To evaluate your application, it will be helpful to have the following information such as why do you wish to pursue a career in ABA, what are your goals upon earning a degree, and what are some experiences that you feel prepare you for success in our program (e.g., relevant coursework, GPA, job, etc.)?

Transcripts can be sent to: Western Connecticut State University, 181 White Street, Danbury, CT 06810 or sent as an attachment to Graduate Admissions

 

You can also see it in the graduate catalog here:

https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/grad1920/master-of-science-in-applied-behavior-analysis/

 

Degree Requirements

  1. Board Certified Behavior Analyst Core Coursework: EPY655, EPY656, EPY657, EPY658, EPY 659 and EPY660, for a total of 22 credits (total program is 30 credits) and 330 classroom hours of graduate level instruction (see Coursework below) in the following content areas and for the number of hours specified:
    1. Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis – 45 hours,
    2. Philosophical Underpinnings of Behavior Analysis – 45 hours,
    3. Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation; Experimental Design – 60 hours,
    4. Behavior Assessment -45 hours,
    5. Behavior-Change Procedures; Selecting and Implementing Interventions -60 hours,
    6. Personnel Supervision and Management -30 hours,
    7. BACB Compliance code and Disciplinary Systems – 45 hours.
  2. Complete an additional eight credits in Applied Behavior Analysis: EPY651, EPY652, and EPY653 (total of 30 credits).
  3. Students whose work is of marginal quality, less than a B, in all M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis courses or who demonstrate personal qualities that are not conducive to the role of Board Certified Behavior Analyst will not be recommended for continuation in the program.
  4. Students are required to visit http://bacb.com regularly and keep up to date with all requirements to sit for the examination and become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Students are required to be knowledgeable about any and all licensure laws are requirements in that state in which he/she plans to practice.

 

Students who started the program prior to Fall 2019 can find degree requirements here:

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATION EXAM ELIGIBILITY

Students must complete experience that fully compliances with the BACB experience standards. This experience consists of supervised independent fieldwork (1500 hours). The fieldwork experience is completed independent of WCSU.

 

Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Courses (30 SH) – all courses are online
Cohorts are admitted in the fall semester and in the spring semester. The program follows the WCSU semester calendar. The completion of the following courses is required:

 

Entering Fall Student Course Sequence/Requirements 30 SH

SH = Semester Hours (credits)
EPY 655 Introduction to Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis 3 SH     (fall I)
EPY 658 Advanced Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis 4 SH     (fall I)
EPY 656 Behavior Assessment 4 SH     (spring)
EPY 659 Methods and Measurement in Applied Behavior Analysis 4 SH     (spring)
EPY 660 Ethics and Professional Issues 3 SH     (summer )
EPY 651 Assistive Technology for Applied Behavior Analysis 3 SH     (summer)
EPY 652 Grant Writing in Applied Behavior Analysis 2 SH     (summer)
EPY 657 Behavior Change Procedures 4 SH     (fall II)
EPY 653 Research in Applied Behavior Analysis Literature 3 SH     (fall II)

 

Entering Spring Student Course Sequence/Requirements 30 SH

SH = Semester Hours (credits)
EPY 655 Introduction to Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis 3 SH     (spring I)
EPY 658 Advanced Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis 4 SH     (spring I)
EPY 651 Assistive Technology for Applied Behavior Analysis 3 SH     (summer)
EPY 660 Ethics and Professional Issues 3 SH     (summer)
EPY 652 Grant Writing for Applied Behavior Analysis

 

 2 SH     (summer)
EPY 656 Behavior Assessment 4 SH     (fall)
EPY 656 Methods and Measurement in Applied Behavior Analysis 4 SH     (fall)
EPY 657 Behavior Change Procedures 4 SH     (spring II)
EPY 653 Capstone Project in Applied Behavior Analysis

 

 3 SH     (spring II)

 

All courses must be taken in this sequence outlined above.

Transfer credits are not accepted.

 

CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS 

This 22-credit, six-course sequence is designed for candidates who have completed an acceptable graduate degree from an accredited university. The certificate program is Verified Course Sequence (VCS) and meets the coursework requirement to be eligible for certification per the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. The candidate will be required to complete additional requirements for certification (i.e., supervised independent fieldwork, completing an acceptable graduate program from an accredited university, and receiving a passing score on the certification examination).  Admission requirements for the certificate program are identical to the admission requirements for the Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis (see above).

 

Visit http://www.bacb.com  for more information.

 

Entering Fall Student Course Sequence/Requirements        

(all courses are online)

  SH = Semester Hours (credits)
EPY 655 Introduction to Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis 3 SH       (fall I)
EPY 658 Advanced Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis 4 SH       (fall I)
EPY 656 Behavior Assessment 4 SH       (spring)
EPY 659 Methods and Measurement in Applied Behavior Analysis 4 SH       (spring)
EPY 660 Ethics and Professional Issues 3 SH       (summer)
EPY 657 Behavior Change Procedures 4 SH    (fall I)

 

Entering Spring Student Course Sequence/Requirements           (all courses are online)
EPY 655 Introduction to Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis 3 SH     (spring I)
EPY 658 Advanced Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis 4 SH     (spring I)
EPY 660 Ethics and Professional Issues 3 SH     (summer)
EPY 656 Behavior Assessment 4 SH     (fall)
EPY 656 Methods and Measurement in Applied Behavior Analysis 4 SH     (fall)
EPY 657 Behavior Change Procedures 4 SH     (spring II)

All courses must be taken in this sequence outlined above.

Transfer credits are not accepted.

 

Important Information for both programs:

Students are required to visit http://bacb.com regularly and keep up to date with all requirements to sit for the examination and become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

 

Students whose work is of marginal quality, less than a B, in all M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis courses or who demonstrate personal qualities that are not conducive to the role of Board Certified Behavior Analyst will not be recommended for continuation in the program.

 

Tuition: For more information regarding tuition costs and fees go to http://staging.www.wcsu.edu/registration/grad-tuition/

 

Academic calendar: For more information regarding the start date of classes and other important dates go to: http://staging.www.wcsu.edu/newsevents/current-academic-calendar/

Task List course content allocation:

Fifth Edition Task List Course Content Allocation Hours for BCBA (Begins Fall 2019) 

Fourth Edition Task List Course Content Allocation Hours for BCBA 

Third Edition Task List Course Content Allocation Hours for BCBA

 

 

Certification Examination Pass rates for universities:  https://www.bacb.com/university-pass-rates/