Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science, M.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

A. Michele Williams, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Director

Mission Statement

The mission of the Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science master’s program is to prepare individuals to take the certification exam that is administered by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board®. A secondary mission is to produce graduates who are skilled not only in behavior analysis but also in the science of clinical psychology. By the completion of their training, students should show a mastery of application and research skills that will permit them to assess whether an intervention is empirically supported. Students will be able to demonstrate, with the assistance of a faculty mentor, the capacity to design and evaluate behavioral interventions or research consistent with a scientific approach to clinical psychology. The program will prepare students for either master’s level professional practice in applied behavior analysis or for doctoral level work in behavior analysis, clinical psychology, or any other Ph.D. program with a clinical science emphasis.

The master’s program in Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science at Rollins College follows a junior-colleague model to ensure high-quality mentoring of students. Upon entering the program, students work collaboratively with all of the faculty in every aspect of professional development, including: professional networking, practicum site selection, designing and conducting research, presenting and publishing research, and goal setting with regards to further graduate study or job placement. For the thesis/capstone process in the final year, students are matched with one primary adviser according to research interests.

Curriculum

The Master of Arts degree with an applied behavior analysis and clinical science concentration is a 62 credit hour program. The program is designed to be completed in either two or three years and includes 750 hours of supervised practica and a thesis or capstone project requirement.

Students must satisfy credit hour requirements in each of the following areas in order to graduate. Area requirements were developed in accordance with the Association for Behavior Analysts International (ABAI) accreditation criteria and Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB®) guidelines. The curriculum also includes broad training in clinical science.

Area 6: Supervised Practical Research and Training (10 credit hours)

BACS 661 - Professional Development I Credit(s): 2 (credit/no credit)
BACS 662 - Professional Development II Credit(s): 2 (credit/no credit)
BACS 671 - Practicum I Credit(s): 2 (250 hours of supervised experience)
BACS 672 - Practicum II Credit(s): 2 (250 hours of supervised experience)
BACS 673 - Practicum III Credit(s): 2 (250 hours of supervised experience)

Area 7: Master’s Thesis or Capstone Equivalent (4 credit hours)

BACS 681 - Thesis or Capstone I Credit(s): 2
BACS 682 - Thesis or Capstone II Credit(s): 2

Program of Study

Students begin the program as a group in the fall term each year and proceed through the course sequence together on either the two-year or three-year track. The cohort feature allows for the development of a community of learners who come together and support one another in pursuit of their academic goals. Courses are offered on weekdays in the evenings. Unless an exemption is granted by the program director, courses must be taken in the sequence below.

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® has approved the following course sequence and practicum as meeting the coursework and experience requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Examination®. Applicants will have to meet additional requirements to qualify.