The Pennsylvania State University © 2004
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
KIMBERLY A. SCHRECK, Coordinator
Penn State Harrisburg
777 West Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6048
kas24@psu.edu
www.hbg.psu.edu
Degree Conferred: M.A.
The Graduate Faculty
Richard M. Foxx, Ph.D. (Southern Illinois) Professor of Psychology
Helen Hendy, Ph.D. (California Riverside) Associate Professor of Psychology
Kimberly A. Schreck, Ph.D. (Ohio State) Associate Professor of Psychology
Keith Williams, Ph.D. (Maryland, Baltimore County) Associate Professor
of Pediatrics
The program, offered at Penn State Harrisburg, helps master's level graduates
prepare to function in community settings as applied behavior analysts, and
to provide the academic training necessary for graduates to apply for national
board certification in behavior analysis. The overall model emphasizes the core
areas of the discipline including the scientific basis of behavior analysis,
as well as how biological, social, and individual differences affect human behavior.
Training will emphasize the development of both assessment and intervention
skills.
The program helps prepare graduates to work in hospitals, medical schools, mental health centers, health maintenance organizations, a wide variety of educational settings, forensic settings, research facilities, and in center- and home-based programs for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.
The program is intended for both part- and full-time students. Courses will be scheduled for fall and spring semesters. Admission is in the fall and spring semesters only.
Admission Requirements
Students will be admitted on a competitive basis and must submit the following:
The applicant must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited academic institution, with at least 18 credits in education, psychology, or related disciplines with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or above in the last 60 credits. Scores from the Graduate Record Examinations are required in the verbal, quantitative, and analytic portions. A personal interview may be required.
A TOEFL score of 550 points on the paper test, a score of 213 on the computer-based test or 80 points on the Internet-based test with a minimum of 23 points on the speaking portion is required for admission.
Transfer Credits
Subject to the limitations given below, a maximum of 10 credits of high-quality graduate work done at an accredited institution may be applied toward the requirements for the master's degree. Transferred academic work must have been completed within five years prior to the date of the first degree registration at the Graduate School of Penn State, must be of at least B quality (grades of B- are not transferable), and must appear on an official graduate transcript of an accredited university. Pass-fail grades are not transferable to an advanced degree program unless the "Pass" can be substantiated by the former institution as having at least B quality.
Degree Requirements
Requirements for the M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis include 27 credits in
required course work, including the master's project paper, supervised internship
experience, and 6 elective credits for a total of 33 credits.
Core Courses (to
be offered annually) are required for all students in the program.
ABA 500 Experimental Analysis of Behavior (3)
ABA 522 Single Subject Research (3)
ABA 533 Applied Analysis of Behavior (3)
ABA 588 Ethics and Legal issues in ABA (3)
ABA 594A Research Project (3)
ABA 595 Internship (9)
PSYCH 473 Behavior Modification (3)
Elective Courses (6 credits)
ABA 555 Behavioral Interventions in Autism (3)
ABA 566 Behavioral Pediatrics (3)
ABA 577 Behavioral Assessment & Treatment (3)
ABA 597 Special Topics (1-3)
PSYC 592 Current Topics (3)
PSYCH 443 Treatment and Education in Developmental Disabilities (3)
PSYCH 476 Child Behavior Disorders (3)
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 599 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.
APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) course list
PSYCHOLOGY (PSYCH) course list
The Pennsylvania State University © 2004
The University reserves the right to change the requirements and regulations listed here and to determine whether a student has satisfactorily met its requirements for admission or graduation, and to reject any applicant for any reason the University determines to be material to the applicant's qualifications to pursue higher education. Nothing in this material should be considered a guarantee that completion of a program and graduation from the University will result in employment.
This electronic Graduate Bulletin is a version of the official bulletin of The Pennsylvania State University. It is suggested that users refer to this electronic bulletin when seeking the latest information about the University's academic programs and courses. Printed versions of the Bulletin are also official copies of the programs, courses, and policies in effect at the time of printing.
DATE LAST REVIEWED BY PUBLICATIONS: 11/21/06
Blue Sheet Item #: 35-07-426
Review Date: 6/12/07
UCA Revision #1: 11/8/06