Program Mission
To educate and form Franciscan servant leaders serving as highly skilled behavior analysts making a positive impact on those with diverse behavioral needs in our communities.
Program Purpose
The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program is designed to prepare students for employment at the master’s level in ABA or to pursue doctoral studies in the field. The program will include extensive training in skill acquisition and behavior reduction procedures and expose students to a broad range of applied and experimental areas through coursework, service learning, research, internships and other applied experiences.
Through courses in conditioning and learning, research methods, ethics, biostatistics and epidemiology, behaviorism and supervision and management, ABA master’s students will develop the skills they need to confidently perform ABA to suit client needs and serve their community. The ABA master’s degree also offers an optional internship component, which allows students to put their education into action through hands-on learning experiences.
Program Level Student Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
The M.S. in ABA curriculum is based on the scientist-practitioner model (aka, The Boulder Model) in order to produce practitioners who employ science in their clinical practice and scientists who seek to advance the understanding of behavior in important ways. This approach to graduate training has been asserted as integral to the field of ABA (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968; Normand, 2008; Reid, 1992). Based on the Behavior Analysis Certification Board’s Professional and Ethical Compliance Code (2014) it is expected that scientist-practitioners in the field receive formal training to conduct research from faculty and supervisors who have demonstrated proficiency with research. The consensus is that training, under the scientist-practitioner model, will produce improved clinical outcomes. Therefore, students enrolled in the ABA program will be expected to meet the scientist-practitioner learning outcomes:
- Critically evaluate relevant literature
- Employ the scientific method in the design and evaluation of clinical protocols
- Describe data-based clinical decisions through research methodology
- Participate in both clinical and research communities through dissemination of research
To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, the following admission requirements must be met:
- Successfully earn a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to the first day of scheduled classes in the program
- Successful completion of one (1) course focusing on Applied Behavior Analysis*
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- Curriculum vitae
- A letter of intent that clearly states intent to apply to the ABA master’s degree program, desired enrollment date, why the applicant desires to be a behavior analyst, what they can personally contribute to the profession and why they are a good fit for the University
*All coursework will be reviewed in regard to course acceptability as meeting prerequisite requirements. If the pool of qualified applicants exceeds the program’s enrollment capacity, the selection process will involve interviews conducted by ABA faculty and priority will be granted to candidates who commit to enroll in the optional internship sequence.
Probationary Admission
- Applicants who do not meet all the admission requirements may be considered for probationary admission to the ABA program under the following circumstances:
- Applicants demonstrate academic potential during an interview as evaluated by the ABA Admission Committee, which will consist of ABA faculty.
- Academic or experiential gaps (i.e., not meeting all the admission requirements) that necessitate a probationary period to ensure readiness for graduate-level coursework.
The decision to invite probationary applicants to interview will occur by June 1st. Interviews will be scheduled during the first two weeks of June for applicants who express interest in being considered for enrollment to the program under the probationary policy described above. The ABA Admissions Committee will notify the FranU Admission’s Department on each prospective probationary student’s enrollment decision by July 1st, so that they may communicate with the applicant about their status.
Probationary Admission Requirements
Students admitted on probation must complete the following to transition into full enrollment in the program:
Didactic Coursework:
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Complete designated didactic courses (i.e., APBA 5310, APBA 5320, and APBA 5330 related to the program curriculum (see Probationary Enrollment Course List below).
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Probationary students must achieve a minimum score of 80% on each area of a mock credentialing exam that corresponds to the didactic courses in ABA taken at FranU (i.e., A. Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations B. Concepts and Principles C. Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation D. Experimental Design and F. Behavioral Assessment). These areas are designed to assesses competency in content areas that correspond to the didactic courses taken at FranU (i.e., APBA 5310, APBA 5320, and APBA 5330).
- Note: This exam is required for students in APBA 5190. Students who successfully complete the probationary admission criteria can use their exam data for fulfillment of this class assignment (i.e., the student would not be required to take the mock exam a second time).
- Independent Assignment: Mock ABA Thesis Plan
- Note: It is encouraged that the probationary student brings mock thesis document to each scheduled monthly meeting with program advisor for feedback.
- Academic Support:
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Probationary students are required to meet with academic support coordinators to identify how they can help the student be successful at FranU (library, advising, writing center, and counseling).
- Evaluation and Review
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Successful Completion: Students who meet the probationary requirements will transition into the ABA program as full participants. Didactic courses will not have to be retaken. Following the completion of the probationary requirements, the student will progress through the program as a new student starting that fall (see Curriculum Following Successful Completion of Probationary Enrollment Requirements).
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Non-Completion: Students who fail to meet the requirements will not be granted full admission. Students may be given an opportunity to appeal the review for extenuating circumstances. The request for an appeal due to extenuating circumstances should be submitted via email to all members of the ABA Admission Review Committee (i.e., all ABA Faculty) and the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences within two weeks following notification of non-completion. Decisions will be made concerning the appeal within two weeks of submission (provided all parties are available to review appeal).
- Note: Students will not be granted probationary admission to the program more than once.
- Additional Provisions
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The program will consider admitting probationary students only if the incoming cohort size remains within the established enrollment capacity. If projected enrollment exceeds capacity, the program reserves the right to limit or defer probationary admissions to maintain instructional quality and resource availability.