Dual Enrollment: M.A. Counseling Psychology and M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

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Chicago - Washington D.C.

Program Overview

The Chicago School’s M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis program provides students with a solid foundation in the principles of behavior analysis, equipping them with the skills to bring about socially significant behavior change through data-based decision making and program development. Using modern technologies, students will be challenged to become leaders in the field of applied behavior analysis. The M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis program incorporates the content areas and practicum requirements for eligibility to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®).

Through the M.A. in Counseling Psychology program, students will acquire progressive diagnostic, therapeutic, and consultative skills necessary to become leaders in the field of counseling psychology. The program also incorporates the 8 content areas outlined by the National Board of Certified Counselors to prepare students seeking professional counselor licensure and desiring to begin professional practice at the master’s level.

Please see further information about professional licensure and certification below.   

Program Learning Outcomes 

M.A. Counseling Psychology

Professional Practice

• Conduct assessments within the field of counseling psychology.
• Effectively engage and establish therapeutic relationships with clients and implement appropriate and evidenced-based interventions within the mental health field. 
• Knowledge of theoretical approaches, techniques, and best practices within the mental health field and ability to apply appropriate interventions based on client presentation and identified needs.

Diversity

• Demonstrate self-awareness of their own cultural identities and how they may influence their perspective, knowledge of other cultures and aspects of a client’s identity which includes but is not limited to race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexuality identity, gender expression, socioeconomic status, and physical ability as it applies to their professional work and skills to adapt treatment accordingly.

Professional Behavior

• Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior consistent with professional standards and code of ethics.

Scholarship

• Use scientific research, evidence based practice and theory to inform their practice.
• Effectively utilize consultation and demonstrate academic knowledge through oral and written presentations.

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Professional Practice

• Analyze behavior, design interventions, and evaluate interventions, by applying basic behavioral principles and assessment techniques to effect socially significant behavior change.

Diversity

• Evaluate the impact of diversity issues on individuals and society (as a whole in domestic or international settings,) and demonstrate sensitivity and competence while working with diverse populations.

Professional Behavior

• Evaluate and resolve ethical dilemmas in accordance with behavior-analytic and psychological ethical guidelines.
• Establish rapport and communicate effectively with clients, stakeholders, and other professionals.

Scholarship

• Conduct behavior-analytic research and evaluate behavior-analytic and other psychological research effectively and ethically.

Licensure (Chicago)

The M.A. Counseling Psychology program aligns with degree and coursework requirements to be eligible for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Illinois. Candidates for licensure must pass the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE). All candidates are also required to complete the application process, which may include fees and/or a background check. For further information about licensure, please visit the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

BCBA® Certification & Licensure - M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

The M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis is aligned with degree, coursework, and supervised experience requirements for eligibility to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®).  Applicants for BCBA® certification must meet additional requirements established by BACB® including application, examination, and background check.

There may be state professional licensure requirements to practice applied behavior analysis.  A state’s licensure board determines the specific requirements for candidates seeking professional licensure and those requirements are subject to change.  The following is professional licensure information as of the date of publication:

Graduation from the M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis Program in conjunction with BCBA® certification aligns with degree and certification requirements for professional licensure in Alabama, Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Mississippi, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. Graduation from the M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis Program aligns with degree requirements for professional licensure in Arizona, Massachusetts, and New York. Note that candidates for licensure may be required to meet additional state requirements such as application, examination, and background check.    

A professional license is not required to practice behavior analysis in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia. State laws on professional licensure are subject to change by their legislatures.      

It is the student’s responsibility to determine the licensure requirements for any state not listed above.  The M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis may meet some or all of the requirements of states not listed, but additional state-specific approvals or coursework and/or practicum hours may be required beyond the program’s graduation requirements.  Some state licensing requirements include the following: completion of a master’s degree, post-graduate field work, certification as a board certified behavior analyst, examination, and application for license.

Due to recent and ongoing changes in state professional licensure of applied behavior analysis practitioners, students should contact the state board directly to verify information regarding professional licensure.  To assist with this research, the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) publishes information regarding state licensure.

Licensure (Washington D.C.)

Licensure - M.A. Counseling Psychology

The M.A. Counseling Psychology program aligns with degree, coursework, and supervised experience requirements for eligibility to be a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Washington D.C. and Virginia, and to be a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Maryland. Candidates for licensure must pass the required national examination National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification or National Clinical Mental Health Counselor’s Exam) and any required state-specific counseling examination. Additional post-master’s supervised experience is required in order to qualify for licensure in each of the above jurisdictions. All candidates are also required to complete the application process, which may include fees and/or a background check. It is the student’s responsibility to determine the licensure requirements for any jurisdiction not listed above.  

For further information about licensure in Washington D.C., please visit the Department of Health.

For further information about licensure in Virginia, please visit the Virginia Board of Counseling.

For further information about license in Maryland, please visit the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

BCBA® Certification & Licensure - M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

The M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis is aligned with degree, coursework, and supervised experience requirements for eligibility to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®).  Applicants for BCBA® certification must meet additional requirements established by BACB® including application, examination, and background check.

There may be state professional licensure requirements to practice applied behavior analysis.  A state’s licensure board determines the specific requirements for candidates seeking professional licensure and those requirements are subject to change. The following is professional licensure information as of the date of publication:

Graduation from the M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis Program in conjunction with BCBA® certification aligns with degree and certification requirements for professional licensure in Alabama, Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Mississippi, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. Graduation from the M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis Program aligns with degree requirements for professional licensure in Arizona, Massachusetts, and New York. Note that candidates for licensure may be required to meet additional state requirements such as application, examination, and background check.    

A professional license is not required to practice behavior analysis in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia. State laws on professional licensure are subject to change by their legislatures.      

It is the student’s responsibility to determine the licensure requirements for any state not listed above.  The M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis may meet some or all of the requirements of states not listed, but additional state-specific approvals or coursework and/or practicum hours may be required beyond the program’s graduation requirements.  Some state licensing requirements include the following: completion of a master’s degree, post-graduate field work, certification as a board certified behavior analyst, examination, and application for license.

Due to recent and ongoing changes in state professional licensure of applied behavior analysis practitioners, students should contact the state board directly to verify information regarding professional licensure.  To assist with this research, the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) publishes information regarding state licensure.

Admission Requirements

Application to The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s M.A. Counseling Psychology / M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis program is open to any person who has earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and who meets other entrance requirements. Applicants will be evaluated on their overall ability to complete graduate work. Factors considered prior to admission include: GPA from undergraduate and any graduate schools, successful work history after completion of the baccalaureate degree, relevant experience, the required admission essay, and letters of recommendation from academic professors or professional or volunteer experience supervisors. An undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is expected for admission. Applicants must submit official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned. It is recommended that transcripts are submitted from all schools where credit was received to enhance their applications.

M.A. Counseling Psychology Progression Requirements

This program requires applicants to have successfully completed at least one (1) undergraduate course in psychology and one (1) undergraduate course in research methods with a grade earned of ‘C’ or better by the end of their first semester (second online term) of study.  Students must successfully meet this progression requirement through one of the following options:

• A grade of “C” or higher in TCS 380 Introduction to Psychology and TCS 385 Introduction to Research Methods;
• A grade of “C” or higher in a comparable course at the Chicago School; or
• A grade of “C” or higher in a comparable course at another regionally accredited institution

Applicants accepted who have not successfully completed one (1) undergraduate course in psychology and one (1) undergraduate course in research methods will be required to register for applicable TCS courses in their first ground semester or online term. All students must meet this progression requirement by the end of their first semester of study. Students who do not successfully fulfill this requirement will not be allowed to register for any future coursework in the program of study until this requirement is met. Extensions can be granted by the Program Chair or designee when extenuating circumstances prevent completion of the requirement in the specified timeframe.  Requests for an extension must be submitted in writing to the Program Chair for consideration.

Applicant Notification

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology reviews applications on a rolling basis. Once review begins, complete applications will be considered by the Admission Committee and applicants will be notified regarding the admission decision. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology does not share information or provide any feedback regarding admission decisions.

If a student is offered admission and in order to secure a place in the incoming class, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $250 will be required by the deposit deadline indicated in the offer of admission. The non-refundable deposit will be applied in full toward the student’s tuition upon enrollment.

Policies

The following policies are located under Academic Policies and Procedures : Academic Calendar, Admissions Requirements, Attendance, Satisfactory Academic Progress, Service Learning, and Transfer Credit/Course Waiver. Click the link above for detailed information.

Practicum and Internship (M.A. Counseling Psychology)

The practicum and internship placement experience serves to integrate the theoretical and practical aspects of the education of a professional counselor.  Students have the opportunity during the practicum and internship placement to synthesize their knowledge, techniques and skills learned in the classroom. These supervised field placements allow students to provide direct services to clients and demonstrate their understanding of key psychological concepts and counseling skills in a clinical setting. Students are able to apply to a wide variety of training sites that include community mental health centers, child welfare and family service agencies, substance abuse programs, primary care settings, college counseling centers, as well as private group practices. The sites available for the training experience are chosen based on their ability to provide students with the necessary direct clinical hours to meet licensure requirements, offer supervision by a credentialed mental health professional on site, and provide students with the opportunity to serve diverse populations that will offer the best possible experience to equip students for working in the counseling field. Students are required to complete a minimum of a 9-month placement experience and complete at least 700 hours with 280 direct service hours during the placement

More specific information is located in the Program Guidebook as well as the Internship Training Manual provided by the Applied Professional Practice department.

Comprehensive Examination (M.A. Counseling Psychology)

 All students are required to successfully complete the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE). The information tested by the exam covers the eight competencies outlined by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) as defined by their Standards for Preparation.  The CPCE is administered at least twice a year and is typically taken during the final year of study. Students must be in good academic standing to be eligible to take the CPCE.  Students who have not successfully passed the CPCE are not eligible for degree conferral and must retake the exam during the next scheduled administration. 

Counseling Competency Examination (M.A. Counseling Psychology)

The Counseling Competency Examination (CCE) is a program capstone and is comprised of three (3) distinct components with the purpose of demonstrating proficiency in the core competencies of the academic program. This examination illustrates that a student has acquired the clinical skills necessary to graduate from the program. The final CCE is completed during the Spring semester within the Internship and Seminar course (CC598). The student must successfully pass the CCE in order to fulfill the requirements of the course as well as the internship placement experience. Students must pass the Fall semester practice CCE in order to pass the course CC597 Practicum and Seminar. Students must pass CC597 and CC598 to be eligible for degree conferral.

More specific information is located in the Program Guidebook.

Practicum (M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis)

The M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis program requires seven credits of field-based clinical training (practicum training, see BACB.com for supervision requirements) held at approved sites. Students must complete all of their training hours required to sit for the exam in order to graduate.

Thesis or Applied Research Project (M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis)

The M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis requires students to complete a thesis (three one-credit courses - AB 560, AB 561, and AB 562) or applied project (three one-credit courses - AB 566, AB 567, and AB 568).