Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Applied Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is intended to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge in applied behavioral psychology while also providing general understanding of how psychology relates to ABA practice.
Applied behavior analysis is the application of the science of motivation and learning to describe, explain, predict, and change individual behavior. ABA is used in educational settings, organizational settings (e.g., job training, performance assessment, task analysis and training), behavior change related to health outcomes (e.g., compliance with medication, addictions, feeding problems, exercise, etc.) and most often in interventions with individuals with autism spectrum disorders or other developmental disabilities.
Mission Statement
The Master of Arts in Applied Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) prepares students to excel in professional careers as scientist-practitioners. By challenging students to use a scientific lens when creating and evaluating clinical interventions, and to use an applied lens when designing research, this program will ensure that students are prepared to achieve success in behavior analytic employment, or to pursue further education upon completion of the program.
National Certification in Behavior Analysis
The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) has verified Rider University’s ABA core course sequence as providing the content hours under the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BCBA) 5th Edition Task List and meeting the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Examination®. Applicants will have to meet additional requirements to qualify.
Admission Status
Upon completion of the steps in the application procedure, the applicant will be assigned to one of the following classifications once admitted:
Graduate Standing
- The student is qualified to undertake graduate study and must apply for matriculated status when eligible;
Conditional Standing
- The student either has not satisfied all of the admission requirements or has not completed all of the undergraduate preparatory requirements or both and may be permitted to engage in studies during a probationary period;
Special Standing
- The student does not plan to matriculate in a Rider graduate degree.
Transfer of Credits
Upon acceptance to the Master of Arts in Applied Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis program, students may request transfer of up to nine semester hours of graduate credits completed at an accredited institution. These credits must have been earned within six years of the date of credit transfer approval. All transfer credits must be approved by the Applied Psychology Steering Committee. Courses accepted for transfer must be similar to required or elective courses that are approved for the respective program, and a grade of at least “B” must have been earned in each of these courses.
Academic Standing
A minimum grade of "B" is required to obtain credit toward graduation. A grade of "B-" or lower will not count toward graduation credits. A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained to remain in good academic standing. Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on Conditional Standing.
Course Repeat Policy
Students may not repeat any graduate course for credit that they have already taken, except a course in which they have received a grade lower than “B” or one from which they withdrew. Any exceptions must be approved by the department chair.
Dismissal
Rider University reserves the right to dismiss any student when, in the judgment of the faculty or the officers of Rider, such action seems advisable. Any of the following situations will result in the automatic dismissal of a student working toward a graduate degree or certification program in Applied Psychology:
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Receiving two grades of “B-” or lower in two graduate courses;
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Not attaining a grade point average of 3.0 after taking 12 or more graduate credits at Rider University;
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Failure to complete the program within the required 6 years.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate, students must have completed all the requirements for the degree within 6 years of enrolling in the program, have a GPA of 3.00 or higher, and have submitted the degree application for graduation form to the Dean's office.
Graduation with Distinction
Students who graduate with an overall grade point average of 3.85 or higher are designated as graduating with distinction. This term appears on the student's official transcript, below the student's name in the commencement program, and on the diploma.
Degree Offered
- M.A. in Applied Psychology
Contact
Elaine Scorpio, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chairperson
Department of Psychology
School of Humanities and Social Studies
Hennessy Science and Technology Center 319D
609-896-5343
escorpio@rider.edu
Program Website: M.A. in Applied Psychology
Associated Department: Department of Psychology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum Requirements | ||
| PSY 510 | Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| PSY 511 | Principles of Learning | 3 |
| PSY 513 | Functional Assessment | 3 |
| PSY 514 | Single Subject Research Design and Analysis | 3 |
| PSY 516 | Ethics for Behavior Analysts | 3 |
| PSY 519 | Models of ABA Instruction | 3 |
| PSY 520 | Interventions for Challenging Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 521 | Supervision and Management in ABA | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select four of the following courses: | 12 | |
| Introduction to Applied Psychology Skills | ||
| Organizational Behavior Management | ||
| Recent Research in ABA | ||
| Interventions for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities | ||
| Interventions for Autism | ||
| Language Assessment and Intervention | ||
| Social Skills Assessment & Intervention | ||
| Behavior Analytic Approaches to Health and Physical Activity | ||
| Behavioral Appro to Addiction | ||
| Developmental Psychopathology | ||
| Selected Topics in Applied Psychology 1 | ||
| Independent Research and Study | ||
| Thesis (optional - replaces 2 electives) 2 | ||
| ABA Thesis I | ||
| ABA Thesis II | ||
| ABA Thesis III | ||
| Optional Course (3 additional credits) 3 | ||
| Practicum in ABA | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
Topics change each semester. Students may take up to 12 credits in Special Topics courses.
- 2
Students opting to complete a thesis will take a minimum of 37 credits.
- 3
Students opting to complete a practicum will take an additional 3 to 6 credits.
Accelerated Masters Overview
The Accelerated option for the Masters in Applied Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis concentration is designed for students who wish to combine undergraduate study in psychology leading to a Bachelor’s of Arts degree with graduate study leading to a Masters of Arts in Applied Psychology.
The admission process for this program ensures that only capable students are enrolled. Freshman students are encouraged to seek advice about the program from their advisor and the program coordinator. The following courses must be completed if the student intends to apply to the program:
- PSY 212 Intro to Applied Behavior Analysis
- PSY 299 Field Placement in Applied Behavior Analysis. This course is intended to assist the student in determining if the program is a good match for them.
During the first semester of the junior year, the student will formally apply to the Applied Psychology program through the Graduate Admissions Office. The process involves the following:
- A completed application form for admission to the Applied Psychology program, accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee;
- Receipt of official transcripts from every college or university attended (including Rider University);
- Two letters of reference from professors or supervisors of relevant work or internship experience;
- A statement of objectives prepared by the student that presents the student’s reasons for wanting to enter the Applied Psychology program;
- An interview with faculty from the Applied Psychology program; and
- Completion of required 200 level courses.
Students accepted into the Applied Psychology program at the end of their junior year will complete one graduate level elective course during each semester of their senior year.
Additional Applied Behavior Analysis courses are offered at the undergraduate level. While not required, it is recommended that students accepted into the Applied Psychology program as an accelerated student take the following:
- PSY 339 Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis
- PSY 388 Learning and the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
- PSY 389 Professional Issues in ABA
Students will be awarded the BA degree when they complete the requirements for that degree in psychology. The MA will be awarded upon completion of the Applied Psychology graduate program requirements.
Academic Plans of Study
The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Students may follow a different plan to ensure a timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from his or her academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.
Fall Cohort
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| PSY 510 | Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| PSY 595 | Selected Topics in Applied Psychology | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PSY 511 | Principles of Learning | 3 |
| PSY 514 | Single Subject Research Design and Analysis | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| PSY 516 | Ethics for Behavior Analysts | 3 |
| PSY 522 | Recent Research in ABA | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| PSY 519 | Models of ABA Instruction | 3 |
| PSY 520 | Interventions for Challenging Behavior | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PSY 518 | Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
| PSY 513 | Functional Assessment | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| PSY 550 | Behavior Analytic Approaches to Health and Physical Activity | 3 |
| PSY 521 | Supervision and Management in ABA | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours for Graduation | 36 | |
PSY 510 Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis 3 Credits
This course will provide an introduction to applied behavior analysis. Students will learn the history and defining features of the field. Due to the scientific nature of applied behavior analysis, students will also learn characteristics and processes associated with the scientific method. Furthermore, foundational concepts will be defined, along with relevant behavior change procedures.
PSY 511 Principles of Learning 3 Credits
This course will provide students with more in depth understanding of the philosophical assumptions, characteristics and basic principles of behavior analysis. Students will have the opportunity to review concepts learned during Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis. This course will also provide and introduction to the basic research in behavior analysis. Students will become more fluent in definitions, characteristics, principles, processes, and concepts of behavior analysis.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 510.
PSY 513 Functional Assessment 3 Credits
This course is designed to provide knowledge and skills of methodologies to conduct a thorough behavioral assessment, interpret the assessment data, and identify goals for treatment. Topics will include direct observation/data collection methods, data analysis, functional assessment, stimulus preference and reinforcer assessments, and ethical and professional issues. The second half of the course will deal specifically with functional analysis including the history of and variations to the methodology. The relationship between assessment techniques and the development of the least-restrictive but most effective behavioral intervention will also be discussed.
PSY 514 Single Subject Research Design and Analysis 3 Credits
Students will be introduced to the basic evaluative methods used in behavior analysis including various models of single subject design such as multiple baselines, reversal designs, and alternating treatment models. Students will design analyses, collect data, graphically display their data, and provide an analysis of findings. Students will read original behavior analytic research articles and practice analysis of findings.
PSY 516 Ethics for Behavior Analysts 3 Credits
This course will familiarize the student with ethical issues and responsibilities of behavior analysts working in applied settings. Informed consent, due process, protection of confidentiality, and selection of least intrusive, least restrictive behavior change procedures will be presented and discussed within the context of case method. Ethical decision making processes will be emphasized, and the relationship between ethics and law will be explored.
PSY 518 Organizational Behavior Management 3 Credits
This course will provide an overview of research and practice in the field of Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), also referred to as Performance Management in organizational settings. Performance Management is a behaviorally-based area of specialization within the broad field of Industrial-Organizational Psychology. The concepts and techniques used in Performance Management originated from the field of behavior analysis.
PSY 519 Models of ABA Instruction 3 Credits
This course provides students with a general knowledge of the different procedures used to teach new skills and new behaviors in the field of applied behavior analysis. Areas covered will include the assessment of relative strengths and deficits, use of discrete-trial and naturalistic teaching procedures, use of reinforcement procedures to strengthen behaviors, use of motivating operations and discriminative stimuli, use prompting and prompt-fading procedures to transfer stimulus control, use of shaping procedures to teach new behavior, use of task analysis and chaining procedures to teach new behaviors, use of precision teaching and fluency-based instruction, and use of personalized systems of instruction. Additionally, various components of the aforementioned areas will be integrated and culminate in two modules: one designed to teach communicative behavior and the other to perform discrimination training.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 510.
PSY 520 Interventions for Challenging Behavior 3 Credits
Students will review principles of behavior in the context of application to functional assessment and treatment of socially significant problem behavior. Topics including extinction, functional communication training, differential reinforcement, choice, environmental manipulations, and punishment will be covered. Students will move through the process of developing function-based interventions and writing behavior plans.
PSY 521 Supervision and Management in ABA 3 Credits
This course provides students with skills needed to provide supervision and management in the field of applied behavior analysis. Students will apply the basic principles of behavior analysis to supervision and management of their staff and trainees. Areas covered include establishing performance expectations, selecting supervision goals based on assessment of current skills, how to train personnel to competence, performance monitoring and feedback, functional assessment and function-based strategies of personnel behavior, and how to evaluate the effects of supervision. Additional areas of discussion will include professional behavior, leadership, ethics, and professional development.
PSY 522 Recent Research in ABA 3 Credits
This course provides an overview of recent behavior analytic research. Topics will vary semester to semester to capture changes in the field as they occur. Students will have the opportunity to practice reviewing, discussing, and interpreting research methodology, results, and potential areas for future research.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 510.
PSY 550 Behavior Analytic Approaches to Health and Physical Activity 3 Credits
The application of behavior analytic methods, practices, and principles has been demonstrated through research and clinical applications to be effective at changing health and fitness behavior. This course will provide an overview of research and practice in applying behavior analytic principles to changing health behavior and physical activity. Behavior change across various populations will be covered including both adults and children with and without disabilities. Discussion will focus on both functional assessment as well as interventions effective at changing health and physical activity including self-management, self-monitoring, goal setting, contingency management, etc. Students will spend the semester implementing self-management projects for their own health and/or fitness behavior.
PSY 551 Behavioral Appro to Addiction 3 Credits
Evidence from laboratory and clinical settings suggests that addiction can be conceptualized and effectively treated through the application of principles of conditioning. This course provides an overview of behavior analytic research in understanding and intervening on addictive behavior. Behavioral technologies for change regarding substance-related and behavioral addiction will be covered.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate students in Applied Psychology.
PSY 595 Selected Topics in Applied Psychology 3 Credits
Students will actively engage in an in-depth inquiry into a special topic area concerning applied psychology. Though the topics will change, students will be required to read and discuss current literature as well as considering the application of tools of the discipline to research questions of their own.
PSY 690 Independent Research and Study 1-4 Credits
Provides students with an opportunity to design and carry out original research in an area of their choice. Students designate a faculty supervisor and work closely with him/her during the semester. Permission of Instructor.
PSY 700 ABA Thesis I 1 Credits
The expectation of the thesis experience is for students to generate a scholarly work of professional presentation and/or publication quality. Students will first complete a comprehensive survey of the research literature in a particular area within applied behavior analysis. They will then design and conduct an original empirical research thesis using the principles of ABA and an appropriate single-case research design. Students will write up their study in American Psychological Association (APA) style. The student will present an oral defense to a committee of faculty members.
PSY 701 ABA Thesis II 3 Credits
The expectation of the thesis experience is for students to generate a scholarly work of professional presentation and/or publication quality. Students will first complete a comprehensive survey of the research literature in a particular area within applied behavior analysis. They will then design and conduct an original empirical research thesis using the principles of ABA and an appropriate single-case research design. Students will write up their study in American Psychological Association (APA) style. The student will present an oral defense to a committee of faculty members.
PSY 702 ABA Thesis III 3 Credits
The expectation of the thesis experience is for students to generate a scholarly work of professional presentation and/or publication quality. Students will first complete a comprehensive survey of the research literature in a particular area within applied behavior analysis. They will then design and conduct an original empirical research thesis using the principles of ABA and an appropriate single-case research design. Students will write up their study in American Psychological Association (APA) style. The student will present an oral defense to a committee of faculty members.
PSY 720 Practicum in ABA 3 Credits
The Master in Applied Psychology - Applied Behavior Analysis (MAP-ABA) program’s practicum offers students supervision from Rider’s MAP-ABA faculty and a variety of high quality in-vivo experiences, under the direct supervision of a Rider-Approved Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), during which students apply the skills acquired in coursework.