WCSU Graduate Catalog 2023-2024

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (Online Degree)

Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online Degree)

Stephanie Kuhn, BCBA-D Graduate Coordinator, WH318B
Phone: (203) 837-3206
kuhns@wcsu.edu
Therese Richardson, Dept. Secretary, WH 321
Phone: (203) 837-8510
Fax: (203) 837-8413      
richardsont@wcsu.edu

 

Faculty: A. Brewer, A. Giannakakos-Ferman, S. Kuhn.

 

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 Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis 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 ABA 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.

Program 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®.

1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and principles that underlie the science of behavior analysis and to application of those concepts and principles to the practice of the profession.

2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the process and procedures for implementing functional behavioral assessment procedures as well as the application of applied behavior analysis-based intervention procedures. 

3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of research design and procedures in applied behavior analysis. 

Disclaimer: State laws related to licensure of behavior analysts vary and can change over time. The ABA program at WCSU currently meets with education requirements for licensure in CT and most other states. However, licensure requirements vary by state and it is the responsibility of the applicant to be knowledgeable about licensure requirements in the state in which he or she may plan to apply for licensure. Please note that the ABA program at WCSU does not currently meet the education requirements for NY State.

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: June 1st / for spring: November 1st; after deadlines, applications are accepted on a rolling basis as space permits)

 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

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:
    A. Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis – 45 hours,
    B. Philosophical Underpinnings of Behavior Analysis – 45 hours,
    C. Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation; Experimental Design – 60 hours,
    D. Behavior Assessment -45 hours,
    E. Behavior-Change Procedures; Selecting and Implementing Interventions -60 hours,
    F. Personnel Supervision and Management -30 hours,
    G. 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). Students must pass a comprehensive examination in EPY 653 to pass the course and complete the program.
  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. Students must receive a “B” grade or better for the course to count towards graduation. Course grades of a “B-” or less must be repeated. EPY 653 requires the successful completion of all other ABA courses in sequence. 
  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.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR EXAM ELIGIBILITY

Students must complete experience that fully compliances with the BACB experience standards. This experience consists of supervised independent fieldwork (1500/2000 hours). The fieldwork experience is done independent of WCSU (i.e., required for certification but not for the completion of the degree at WCSU). The coursework, fieldwork experience and other requirements specified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board is required for eligibility to take the BCBA examination. http://bacb.com

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (30 SH)  (All courses are 100% online.)

Completion of the following:

Entering Fall Student Course Sequence / Requirements (30SH) Cohort Sequence
EPY 655  Introduction to Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis 3 SH Fall 2023
EPY 658  Advanced Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis 4 SH Fall 2023
EPY 656  Behavior Assessment 4 SH Spring 2024
EPY 659  Methods and Measurement in Applied Behavior Analysis 4 SH Spring 2024
EPY 660  Ethics and Professional Issues 3 SH Summer I 2024
EPY 651  Assistive Technology for Applied Behavior Analysis 3 SH Summer II 2024
EPY 652  Grant Writing in Applied Behavior Analysis 2 SH Summer III 2024
EPY 657  Behavior Change Procedures 4 SH Fall 2024
EPY 653  Capstone in Applied Behavior Analysis  3 SH Fall2024
Entering Spring Student Course Sequence / Requirements (30SH) Cohort Sequence
EPY 655 Introduction to Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis 3 SH Spring 2024
EPY 658 Advanced Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis 4 SH Spring 2024
EPY 651 Assistive Technology for Applied Behavior Analysis 3 SH Summer I 2024
EPY 660 Ethics and Professional Issues 3 SH Summer II 2024
EPY 652 Grant Writing in Applied Behavior Analysis 2 SH Summer III 2024
EPY 656 Behavior Assessment 4 SH Fall 2024
EPY 659 Methods and Measurement in Applied Behavior Analysis 4 SH Fall 2024
EPY 653 Capstone in Applied Behavior Analysis  3 SH Spring 2025
EPY 657 Behavior Change Procedures 4 SH Spring 2025

 

All courses must be taken in this sequence outlined above. Due to the program sequence, 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.

Additional 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 https://www.wcsu.edu/cashiers/tuition/

Academic calendar: For more information regarding the start date of classes and other important dates go to: https://www.wcsu.edu/calendars/

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:  https://www.bacb.com/university-pass-rates/