Applied Behavior Analysis, MS

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Program Director:
Griffin Rooker, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA
222 Archbishop Borders Hall
Mount St. Mary’s University
(301) 447-5143
Email: g.w.rooker@msmary.edu

The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis is for individuals seeking to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. The goal of the program is to provide rigorous, high-quality education and training in an environment that is welcoming and provides students with the best opportunity to meet their goals.

Candidates must complete 36 credit hours of coursework, including 3 fieldwork credits and a capstone research project. Courses are offered in mostly eight-week subterms and one fifteen-week subterm.

Required Courses (36 Credits)

MSABA 600 - Principles and Concepts of Behavior Analysis Credits: (3)
MSABA 601 - Research Design, Measurement and Data Analysis Credits: (3)
MSABA 602 - Ethical and Professional Conduct Credits: (3)
MSABA 603 - Behavior Assessment Credits: (3)
MSABA 604 - Behavior Theory and Philosophy Credits: (3)
MSABA 605 - Behavioral Intervention Credits: (3)
MSABA 606 - Introduction to Organizational Behavior Management & Supervision Credits: (3)
MSABA 607 - Community Intervention Credits: (3)
MSABA 609 - Required Fieldwork Credits: (3)
MSABA 610 - Capstone Credits: (3)
Choose One of the Following in consultation with MSABA director:
MSABA 608 - Quantitative Methods Credits: (3)
MSABA 611 - Capstone 2 Credits: (3)

Required Electives (3 Credits)

Select three of the following, in consultation with the MSABA Director:

MSABA 612 - Collaboration in Professional Settings Credits: (1)
MSABA 613 - Mindfulness and Contemplative Practices Credits: (1)
MSABA 614 - Advocacy in Professional Settings Credits: (1)
MSABA 615 - Pedagogy of Virtual Practice Credits: (1)
MSABA 616 - Utilizing Technology to Support Job-Embedded Coaching Credits: (1)
MSABA 617 - Technology for Assessment and Data Management Credits: (1)

Optional Coursework

MSABA 618 - Optional Fieldwork 1 Credits: (1-3)
MSABA 619 - Optional Fieldwork 2 Credits: (1-3)
MSABA 620 - Optional Fieldwork 3 Credits: (1-3)
MSABA 621 - Optional Fieldwork 4 Credits: (1-3)
MSABA 622 - Optional Fieldwork 5 Credits: (1-3)
MSABA 698 - Independent Study Credits: (1-3)

Program Information

Degree Requirements

In order to earn the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis degree, students must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA, complete at least 36 credit hours of graduate-level coursework including a 3-credit required fieldwork, have successfully presented a research thesis, and have passed a mock version of the BCBA exam.

Program Completion Capstone

MSABA students are required to complete a graduate research capstone. MSABA 605 and 611 support capstone development and completion.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the program will follow the university standards for admission to graduate study. Prospective students must have earned the following to be considered for admission (graduate degree GPAs will be considered along with the undergraduate GPA):

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution.
Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Additional requirements for applicable to international students are found here.

Tuition and Fees:

See Tuition and Fees

Transferring Credit from Other Programs

Students transferring credit from a 4th edition VCS program or who have received explicit instruction in behavior analysis in a graduate program may be eligible for course transfers. All transfer work is approved by the Program Director. Transfer evaluations must be finalized before the student begins his/her coursework.

Academic Sessions

Sessions are offered on a year-round basis.

Fall Semester: Fall I Session and Fall II Session
Spring Semester: Spring I Session and Spring II Session
Summer Semester: Summer I Session and Summer II Session

Fall and spring sessions are each 8 weeks. Summer sessions are 5 weeks each.