MA Applied Behavior Analysis

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Dallas - Washington DC

Program Overview

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the ethical evaluation, design, and implementation of environmental changes to produce socially significant improvements in behavior. The MA Applied Behavior Analysis is a practitioner-oriented degree that includes an Association of Behavior Analysts International (ABAI) Verified Course Sequence (VCS) and practicum to help become  a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®).

The program prepares students for a rewarding career in the rapidly growing field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Graduates serve many different populations including children, adults, and seniors and may work in organizations, residential, school, and community-based settings. Individuals served may have no diagnoses (e.g., school children in a general education class or teachers seeking to be more effective) or may have diagnoses such as autism, developmental disabilities, or mental illness. The MA Applied Behavior Analysis program develops students into professionals who can support individuals and organizations as well as select, implement, and manage effective systems to improve outcomes across a variety of settings.

The program requires 34 credit hours, which include 28 core credit hours and 6 credit hours in practicum. Practicum courses are designed to meet the fieldwork requirements of the BACB®.

Program Philosophy

The program provides training to students related to all four domains of Behavior Analysis (i.e., Theory & Philosophy, Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Service Delivery). Further, the programs and curricula are designed to infuse the scientist-practitioner model across these domains and teach students to be consumers of new research findings, as well as evaluators of their own interventions and programs using empirical methods.

The program’s mission is to provide students with the scientific, analytical, and conceptual tools they need to provide effective, ethical, and practical behavior-analytic interventions to the diverse populations that they serve. The program emphasizes not only knowledge of the assessment and intervention techniques, but sound understanding of the basic concepts and principles of behavior analysis, so that students will have the conceptual and scientific underpinnings necessary to understand why interventions work, how to measure their effects, and to make appropriate program modifications when they do not. Because ABA is based on a rapidly developing and evolving behavioral technology grounded in research, the knowledge base is constantly changing. It is the program’s mission to remain at the forefront of the development of this field.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program students will be able to: 

 Professional Practice

• Understand behavior-analytic terminology, conduct behavioral assessments, design evidence-based interventions, and evaluate intervention effectiveness, by applying conceptually sound behavioral principles to socially meaningful behavior.

Diversity

• Evaluate cultural, societal, and social influences on assessment and intervention strategies used in behavior-analytic practices.

Professional Behavior

• Adhere to standards of practice in behavior-analytic codes of conduct and recognize potential violations to avoid ethical conflicts and dilemmas.
• Use effective written and verbal communication techniques to promote engagement, collaboration, and supportive interactions among professionals, parents, and consumers.

Scholarship

•  Be informed consumers of effective assessment and intervention by demonstrating an understanding of the attitudes, assumptions and practices that underlie scholarly inquiry in behavior-analytic research.

Licensure

For information on where The Chicago School meets, does not meet, or has not determined if the program meets licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit: https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/admissions/licensure-disclosures/.

Admission Requirements

For information on where The Chicago School is currently authorized, licensed, registered, exempt or not subject to approval, please visit https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/why-us/state-authorization/

Application to The Chicago School’s MS 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 judged on their overall ability to do graduate work.  

Factors and materials to be considered for admission will include: 

• Completed application and $50 application fee  
• Generally, an undergraduate GPA 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. 
• Official Transcripts  

• Students 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. 

Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit additional documentation: 

• Resume or CV 
• Three letters of recommendation 
• Essay answering the following questions: 
• Please answer the following question within three double spaced typed pages (approximately 500-750 words). Essay must specifically address the program/specialization for which the applicant is applying.  

Psychology is a vast discipline with many career options. In an essay format, please describe:  

• Why you chose this particular program/specialization. Cite specific experiences and examples. 
• Why it is important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes cultural awareness, competence, and understanding of diversity. 
• Your professional career goals as they relate to this specialization. 
• Why you believe this program will assist you in reaching these goals. 

Applicant Notification

The Chicago School 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 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. 

Articulation Agreements

The Chicago School has also established agreements between the MA Applied Behavior Analysis program and the programs listed below to allow qualified students to receive transfer credit for courses taken in other The Chicago School programs that can be counted toward degree completion requirements for either program.Click on the link of the program that interests you for details.

MS Applied Behavior Analysis and MA Applied Behavior Analysis   

Ethical Guidelines

Students are expected to learn and to follow the ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association and the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® during and after their work at The Chicago School. A class in ethics is required, and student adherence to ethical codes is evaluated both formally and informally.

Training

The program requires six credits of field-based clinical training (practicum training, see BACB.com for supervision requirements) held at approved sites.  Students registered in this program incur a one-time $195 Experiential Learning Technology Fee.

Degree Completion Requirements:

• Successful completion of 28 credit hours of core coursework
• Successful completion of 6 credit hours of practicum