Applied Behavior Analysis (Master of Science)

Application Deadlines

Students are accepted in fall semesters only. For priority consideration, submit all of the following application materials before April 1; the final deadline is July 15.

Application Deadlines

Date	Event
April 1	Fall Admission
July 15	Final Deadline

Applications completed after July 1 will be considered for admission in the fall semester of the following year.

Application Materials Required for the MS with a Major in Applied Behavior Analysis 

Applicants for the MS with a major in Applied Behavior Analysis must submit all of the following documentation to Graduate Admissions to be considered for admission:

Graduate Admissions
Jacksonville State University
700 Pelham Road North
Jacksonville, Alabama 36265-1602

1. Completed JSU Graduate Application for Admission.
2. Non-refundable $35.00 application processing fee.
3. Official transcripts from the baccalaureate degree awarding institution and all transcripts from institutions where post-baccalaureate work has been completed. To be considered for admission, applicants must hold a degree from an institutionally accredited institution or its foreign equivalent. (Students who have previously attended JSU do not need to request a transcript from the university.)
4. Official scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) taken within five (5) years immediately preceding enrollment.
5. Three (3) Graduate Reference Forms completed by individuals who can provide qualitative assessment of the applicant’s potential for success in graduate coursework. Reference forms will be submitted electronically. Instructions for submission will be sent through email to the applicant upon submission of the online graduate application.
6. A curriculum vitae including education, employment, and other applicable experience/skills (e.g., practicum/research experience, presentations, publications).
7. Letter of intent describing reasons for pursuing a master’s degree with a major in Applied Behavior Analysis at JSU.
8. International student applicants must see the International Student Applicants section of this catalog for other application and enrollment requirements.

Admission Requirements for the MS with a Major in Applied Behavior Analysis 

Admission to the MS in Applied Behavior Analysis program is determined on a selective basis after careful review of all application materials. Applicants may be required to interview with the Psychology Graduate Committee so that additional information can be gathered before a final admission decision is made. Meeting the minimum standards for consideration for admission does not guarantee admission to the program, and the Psychology Graduate Committee reserves the right to make exceptions to admission requirements.

Unconditional Admission

• Unconditional admission is determined by the Psychology Graduate Committee. Applicants with at least a 3.5 undergraduate GPA, GRE score of 300, and undergraduate coursework in applied behavior analysis or experience working under a Board Certified Behavior Analyst will be given priority.

Conditional Admission

• Any applicant failing to meet the requirements for unconditional admission may be conditionally admitted with the recommendation of the Psychology Graduate Committee.
• Applicants are only admitted by this option if there are spaces available in the program.
• Applicants who are granted conditional admission must achieve a GPA of at least 3.25 in the first semester of graduate hours attempted or obtain approval from the Psychology Graduate Committee to continue in the program.

Degree Progression Requirements for the MS with a Major in Applied Behavior Analysis 

The following degree progression requirements apply to all students accepted into the MS in Applied Behavior Analysis program:

• Adhere to the standards of conduct specified in the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 or obtain approval from the Psychology Graduate Committee. (At least an overall 3.0 GPA is required on all coursework attempted for the master’s degree to remain in Graduate Studies. Transfer credit cannot be used to raise the GPA to the required 3.0.)
• Successfully complete a mid-program review with members of the Psychology Curriculum Committee, including an academic assessment, following completion of the program’s core courses.
• Enroll continuously until the degree is complete (may be exceptions in special circumstances).

Minimum Requirements for the MS with a Major in Applied Behavior Analysis 

The Psychology Graduate Committee will evaluate each student’s undergraduate coursework and experience to determine which foundation courses are required in addition to graduate coursework. Although grades achieved in undergraduate foundation courses will not be included in the computation of the graduate GPA, students must earn a grade of B or better in each foundation course if taken after completion of their bachelor’s degree.

Non-Thesis Option

A minimum of 39 graduate semester hours of psychology courses, plus additional foundation courses for students without adequate undergraduate preparation; successful completion of a comprehensive examination; and a minimum of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale in all graduate coursework are required. The 39 graduate semester hours of psychology courses for the non-thesis option must include the following courses:

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Eight Core Courses
PSY 508	Personnel Supervision and Management	3
PSY 511	Conceptual Foundations of Behavior Analysis	3
PSY 521	Functional Assessment	3
PSY 528	Applied Behavior Analysis I	3
PSY 529	Applied Behavior Analysis II	3
PSY 530	Single-Subject Research Methods	3
PSY 534	Experimental Analysis of Behavior	3
PSY 538	Ethics and Professional Development	3
Electives
Select nine hours of electives in psychology 1		9
Practicum Courses 2		6
PSY 580	Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I
PSY 581	Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II
Total Hours		39

 39 Graduate Semester Hours Required for this Degree

1

Nine hours are electives in psychology chosen from psychology graduate courses, which must meet the following requirements: Students must complete PSY 504 Graduate Behavior Analysis Lab (1) as an additional one credit elective and earn a grade of B or better if they have not taken PSY 221 Behavior Analysis Lab (1) or an equivalent laboratory course at the undergraduate level. If students have already received credit for this course at the undergraduate level, they may not enroll and receive graduate credit in it. Completion of Psychology graduate courses numbered 570-595 (except 580 and 581) will only count towards the elective requirement for students completing the non-thesis option if approved in advance by the Graduate Program Coordinator and Department Head.

2

As part of their practicum courses, students must complete a thesis equivalent as required by the ABAI Accreditation Board. The purpose of the thesis equivalent is to develop competence in defining a research problem, designing a method to address the problem, and conducting and reporting an investigation that carries out the method to conclusion.

Thesis Option

A minimum of 39 graduate semester hours of psychology courses, plus additional foundation courses for students without adequate undergraduate preparation; successful completion of a thesis and oral defense; and a minimum grade point average of 3.25 on a 4.00 scale in all graduate coursework is required. The 39 graduate semester hours of psychology courses for the thesis option must include the following courses:

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Eight Core Courses
PSY 508	Personnel Supervision and Management	3
PSY 511	Conceptual Foundations of Behavior Analysis	3
PSY 521	Functional Assessment	3
PSY 528	Applied Behavior Analysis I	3
PSY 529	Applied Behavior Analysis II	3
PSY 530	Single-Subject Research Methods	3
PSY 534	Experimental Analysis of Behavior	3
PSY 538	Ethics and Professional Development	3
Electives
Select nine hours of electives in psychology 1		9
PSY 599	Thesis (I and II)	6
Total Hours		39

 39 Graduate Semester Hours Required for this Degree

1

Nine hours are electives in psychology chosen from psychology graduate courses, which must meet the following requirements: Students must complete PSY 504 Graduate Behavior Analysis Lab (1) as an additional one credit elective and earn a grade of B or better if they have not taken PSY 221 Behavior Analysis Lab (1) or an equivalent laboratory course at the undergraduate level. If students have already received credit for this course at the undergraduate level, they may not enroll and receive graduate credit in it. Completion of Psychology graduate courses numbered 570-595 will only count towards the elective requirement for students completing the thesis option if approved in advance by the Graduate Program Coordinator and Department Head.

Thesis students should contact the Graduate School to receive an orientation to the thesis process prior to enrolling in the first three semester hours of thesis, 599. This orientation can be completed either in person or via email. The purpose of the orientation is to provide the thesis student with information concerning required forms, due dates, and to answer any questions concerning thesis options and/or procedure. For further information concerning this orientation, please contact Ashlee Hanvey, ahanvey@jsu.edu, 321 Angle Hall, (256) 782-5348. See Thesis Options and Procedures in this catalog for more information.

Graduation and Comprehensive Examination

All students are required to complete a comprehensive examination and an oral defense. All students must apply for graduation by the given deadline of the semester in which they plan to graduate. Please see the Graduation and Comprehensive Exam section of this catalog for more information.

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Fall		9-10
PSY 508	Personnel Supervision and Management
PSY 528	Applied Behavior Analysis I
PSY 504	Graduate Behavior Analysis Lab 1
Elective
Spring		9
PSY 529	Applied Behavior Analysis II
PSY 530	Single-Subject Research Methods
PSY 534	Experimental Analysis of Behavior
Summer		3
PSY 538	Ethics and Professional Development
Fall		9
PSY 511	Conceptual Foundations of Behavior Analysis
PSY 521	Functional Assessment
PSY 580 (Non-Thesis Option) or PSY 599 (Thesis Option)
Spring		9
PSY 581 (Non-Thesis Option) or PSY 599 (Thesis Option)
Elective
Elective
Total Hours		39-40

1

Required if PSY 221 Behavior Analysis Lab (1) or equivalent not previously completed

Please Note: All students must apply for graduation by the given deadline of the semester in which they plan to graduate.

39 Graduate Semester Hours Required for the Thesis & Non-Thesis Options