USF Master’s Degree Program
in Applied Behavior Analysis Returns this Fall

In response to the increasing demand for practitioners in applied behavior analysis, the University of South Florida will reinstate its master's degree program and admit the first cohort of students in the fall of 2006. The Applied Behavior Analysis Master's Program is designed to meet the growing needs in Florida and nationally for practitioners who can work effectively in a variety of fields including education, developmental disabilities, child protective services, mental health, residential supports and rehabilitation and other agencies working with individuals who require intensive behavioral services and/or consultation.

This interdisciplinary program will provide coursework across three colleges at USF - the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, and the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute. It links existing courses, as well as new courses, to create a comprehensive, cohesive degree program, and is designed to prepare students to become nationally certified behavior analysts by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB).

"Students successfully completing the program will be qualified to sit for the BACB exam," said Interim Program Director Stacie Neff. "This is a great opportunity," added Neff, "as there are so few master's programs offered in Florida, especially in this area."

To successfully complete the program, students are required to show proficiency in courses that constitute a core curriculum, demonstrate content areas through supervised practicum experiences, and complete a thesis. A student's practicum placement will be determined by assessing the student's interests and placing those students in corresponding available sites. Currently, sites that have agreed to offer placements include 2 agencies who provide services to children with autism, an agency who provides services to children and adults with challenging behaviors, a private provider in Pasco County, a residential treatment center for adult sex offenders, the USF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, Florida's Positive Behavior Support Project at USF, and the USF Behavior Analysis Services Program which provides services to children in foster care. Additional information on program requirements is available online at http://aba.grad.usf.edu/.

Students are admitted in fall semesters only, and must apply by May 15th. For additional information, visit the website or contact the program representative at abausf@fmhi.usf.edu.