Student Learning Outcomes- The graduate with a Master of Science degree in Psychology - Behavior Analysis and Therapy will use the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to:
- Demonstrate the ability to use and evaluate outcomes using single-subject research designs.
- Demonstrate skills in the evaluation of psychological science and practice using single subject research designs.
- Describe ethical and legal issues encountered by behavior analysts in research, educational, and practice settings.
- Describe strategies for managing ethical dilemmas encountered by behavior analysts.
- Describe and explain how biological and contextual events influence the acquisition, generalization and maintenance of behavior.
- Evaluate the reliability and validity of indirect and direct assessment methods and measures.
- Describe the purpose of behavioral assessment, functional assessment and functional analysis of behavior.
- Interpret the results of functional assessment and functional analysis of behavior.
- Develop interventions, behavior support and treatment plans based on the results of functional assessment and functional analysis of behavior.
- Demonstrate technically precise and correct written and overt communication skills related to a science of behavior.
- Create works, products, or outcomes that illustrate technological abilities.
This program is designed to prepare students for employment that utilizes acquired psychological knowledge and skills as well as provide a basis for further graduate study. Students who pursue the Master of Science in Psychology - Behavior Analysis and Therapy are prepared to work in applied settings as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and as a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA). To meet the educational requirements for the BCBA exam, two applied practica are required under the supervision of a BCBA. Students with the MS in Psychology - Behavior Analysis and Therapy may also further their education at the doctoral level.
Admission to the Program
Option 1. The student must be fully admitted to Graduate Studies and have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in at least 12 hours of undergraduate psychology courses, of which 3 hours must be in Learning/behavior analysis, and completed at an accredited institution. The applicant must also submit three letters of recommendation; a formal goal statement; and an official score report from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing sections. Preference will be given to applicants with applied experience, basic or applied research experience in learning/behavior analysis and/or recipients of professional training certificates, e.g. Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT).
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Option 2. The student must be fully admitted to Graduate Studies. In addition, the applicant must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in 12 or more credit hours of graduate Psychology courses and completed at an accredited institution. The applicant must also submit three letters of recommendation; a formal goal statement; and an official score report from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing sections. Preference will be given to applicants with applied experience, basic or applied research experience in learning/behavior analysis and/or recipients of professional training certificates, e.g. Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT).
Selection will be based on the applicant’s GPA, GRE scores, consistency of the goal statement with program goals, and letters of recommendation indicating high potential for graduate work in behavior analysis. There is no minimum score required on the GRE, though a combined score of 297 on the Verbal + Quantitative sections is preferred.
Admission is for fall semesters only. Completed applications will be considered on a space available basis until one week before the first day of classes for the fall semesters. No more than 12 graduate hours taken as a non-degree student (i.e., one not officially admitted to the psychology graduate program) may be applied to the M.S.-BAT program. The chair of the department must approve these graduate hours. All courses must also meet the time limits established by the Graduate Studies office. Upon acceptance into the program, the student will be assigned a departmental graduate adviser and will be able to apply for federal financial aid.
Students should be aware that all MS-BAT courses have prerequisites. These prerequisites must be met before enrolling in the courses. In some situations, a prerequisite may be waived with the consent of the course instructor. Each student must pass a writing proficiency exam prior to filing a program of study. A score of 3.5 or higher on the Analytical Writing section of the GRE satisfies the writing proficiency exam requirement. A minimum grade of B is required for all courses in the program.
Students pursuing the Master of Science in Psychology-BAT have the option of a thesis or a research project.
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