|
Applied
Behavior Analysis
Master
of Arts Program
A degree in the Human Services Psychology
program.
Program Description
Behavior analysis is the science of the causes of behavior. In applied behavior analysis, this science is applied to significant problems of human behavior, typically at the level of the behavior of the individual rather than of the group. The scope of applied behavior analysis is wide-ranging, including work in developmental disabilities, in behavioral medicine, in organizational settings, and in education, to mention just a few applications. Mastery of applied behavior analysis calls for competence in basic psychology, in the detailed knowledge base of behavior analysis, in statistical and measurement techniques for evaluating existing behavior and for designing treatment programs for individuals, in the design of interventions in organizations and in communities, and in the various skills essential to delivering services and maintaining their effectiveness.
Accreditation and Certification. Applied behavior analysis includes accountability in its service delivery. The UMBC M.A. Program is responsive to the increasing call for such services and fills a gap in the availability of such programs in the mid-Atlantic region. The UMBC Department of Psychology together with the Kennedy Krieger Institute's Department of Behavioral Psychology are uniquely suited to developing and maintaining such a program. The program is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis and is included in the list of programs approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board, so that students who have earned our M.A. degree and have completed their supervision requirements are qualified and well-prepared to sit for the BACB certification examination.
Application Deadlines. Applications for the Applied Behavior Analysis program are reviewed in March. Thus, the application deadline is March 1. Applications received after the deadline may be considered, but we cannot guarantee they will be reviewed in time for admission in the following fall semester.
Application requirements. The dimensions considered by the Application Committee include grades, Graduate Record Exam scores, letters of recommendation (preferably including academic as well as work-related references), work experience related to applied behavior analysis, self-statements (including the applicant's stated reasons for interest in applied behavior analysis, in response to items on the supplemental application), and other information presented by the applicant in the application or during interviews. The Advanced Psychology GRE score is not required. Where applicants cannot visit UMBC or the KKI facilities, interviews may be conducted by telephone. The decisions of the committee also take into account the applicant pool in combination with its fit to available faculty members.
Program Requirements
Students complete course work in basic and applied analysis of behavior, behavioral treatment design and data evaluation, the ethics of behavioral interventions, and practicum placement for hands-on experience with relevant behavioral procedures. In place of a master's thesis, students complete a full behavioral intervention using the skills acquired in the program.
The requirements total 36 credit hours consisting of the courses listed below. Consult the current UMBC Graduate School catalog for detailed departmental course listings as well as for tuition and fees, housing and other important information for prospective students.
Behavior Analysis courses: (5 courses; 15 credit hours)
a. PSYC 605: Learning and Cognition
b. PSYC 615: Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis: Design of Interventions
c. PSYC 616: Measurement in Applied Behavior Analysis: Observation and Assessment
d. PSYC 655: Advanced Topics in Applied Behavior Analysis
e. Elective in behavior analysis: Offerings have included Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Organizational Behavior Management, and Verbal Behavior.
Other courses (3 courses; 9 credit hours)
f. Biological bases of behavior: preferably PSYC 604, Biological Basis of Behavioral Development. Other options include PSYC 665, Behavior Pharmacology
g. Social bases of behavior: PSYC 635: Community Psychology, or PSYC 656: Applied Social Psychology, or PSYC 781: Social Development.
h. General elective (may be ABA or other)
On-site training courses at the Kennedy Krieger Institute or other approved site(4 courses; 12 credit hours)
i. Practicum (PSYC 693-694)
j. Intervention Research and Evaluation (PSYC 793-794)
The practicum gives students hands-on experience with applied behavior analysis evaluation and intervention. The intervention sequence serves as a capstone course in which students are expected to develop, write up, and carry through a full treatment program from incoming evaluation through development of intervention protocols to evaluation of outcomes. The practicum serves in the place of what might otherwise be a thesis; successful applications typically depend on known procedures rather than on treatment or applied intervention innovations, so this course provides critical preparation for subsequent applied work. Students interested in completing an intervention project that is based on original research in applied behavior analysis, and is therefore functionally similar to a master's thesis, should contact the co-directors of the ABA Program for additional information.
SAMPLE PROGRAM
The chart below shows how a student would complete the program requirements in two years by taking nine credits per semester. Students are often able to do so while employed full time at the Kennedy Krieger Institute or some other appropriate site.
YEAR 1
Fall
PSYC 605: Learning and Cognition
PSYC 615: Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis
PSYC 693: Practicum I
Spring
PSYC 616: Measurement in Applied Behavior Analysis
Biological Bases of Behavior course*
PSYC 694: Practicum II
YEAR 2
Fall
PSYC 655: Advanced Topics in Applied Behavior Analysis
Social Bases of Behavior course*
PSYC 793: Intervention I
Spring
Elective in Behavior Analysis*
General Elective*
PSYC 794: Intervention II
* The actual timing of these courses may vary in part due to availability and offering of the respective course(s). Thus, students do not need to take these courses in the exact sequence as listed in the sample program.
FACULTY
UMBC DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
John C. Borrero, Ph.D.
University of Florida, 2004
A. Charles Catania, Ph.D.
Harvard University , 1961
Lynnda M. Dahlquist, Ph.D.
Purdue University , 1981
Carlo DiClemente, Ph.D.
University of Rhode Island , 1978
Christopher Murphy, Ph.D.
SUNY at Stony Brook, 1991
Steven C. Pitts, Ph.D.
Arizona State University, 1999
Robert R. Provine, Ph.D.
Washington University, 1971
Christopher Murphy, Ph.D.
SUNY at Stony Brook, 1991
Sigurdur Oli Sigurdsson, Ph.D.
Western Michigan University , 2006
Shari Waldstein, Ph.D.
University of Pittsburgh , 1993
KENNEDY KRIEGER INSTITUTE
DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL PSYCHOLOGY :
Michael F. Cataldo, Ph.D.
University of Kansas , 1974
Stephanie Contrucci Kuhn, Ph.D.
Louisiana State University , 2004
Iser G. DeLeon, Ph.D.
University of Florida , 1997
Louis P. Hagopian, Ph.D.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1991
SungWoo Kahng, Ph.D.
University of Florida , 1999
David Kuhn, Ph.D.
Louisiana State University , 2004
Patricia F. Kurtz, Ph.D.
The Claremont Graduate School, 1991
Keith J. Slifer, Ph.D.
Florida State University , 1987
CONTACT INFORMATION
Applicants with questions about the academic and clinical aspects of the ABA MA program should begin by sending an email message to both co-directors. Potential applicants should provide some information both about their educational background (an attached unofficial copy of the applicant’s transcript can be helpful) and about the nature of their interest in a career in applied behavior analysis (including relevant work
experience). In case a discussion, rather than an email reply, seems appropriate, inquiries should also include phone contact information (numbers and best times to call).
Dr. Iser DeLeon: Program Co-Director
e-mail: deleon@kennedykrieger.org
Neurobehavioral Unit
Kennedy Krieger Institute
707 N. Broadway
Baltimore , MD 21205
Dr. Steven C. Pitts: Program Co-Director
e-mail: steve.pitts@umbc.edu
Department of Psychology
UMBC
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
For questions about application procedures or other administrative issues, send e-mail to psycdept@umbc.edu or call (410) 455-2567.
A REGION OF OPPORTUNITY
Just 15 minutes from downtown Baltimore and 30 minutes from the Washington beltway, UMBC offers easy access to the region's resources by car or by public transportation.
Students find it easy to access classes, obtain practical experience and participate in opportunities at other schools in the University System of Maryland. Nearby national research centers, libraries and museums are also a resource for scholarly activity.
http://www.umbc.edu/psychology
|
