Project Details
Applied Behavior Analysis Master's Program
Description
The master’s degree program in applied behavior analysis (ABA) is designed to meet growing needs in Florida and nationally for practitioners who can work effectively in the fields of developmental disabilities, education, child protective services, rehabilitation, mental health, and business and technology. ABA provides an approach for developing, implementing, and evaluating practical strategies to produce changes in socially significant behaviors of individuals in the context of community settings. Three important features characterize the scientific basis upon which ABA is built: a) it focuses upon objectively measurable behavior of an individual or system; b) it studies environmental influences upon the targeted behaviors; and c) it places a premium upon single-subject research designs to analyze the effects of different environmental variables.
The 46 credit-hour master’s degree program in ABA is housed in the Department of Child and Family Studies in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences. It provides coursework, research opportunities, and supervised practical experiences in a variety of area within applied behavior analysis. Students are required to show proficiency in courses that constitute a core curriculum, demonstrate content areas through supervised practicum experiences, and complete a data-based thesis. In addition students are encouraged to work on research projects beyond their thesis with faculty mentors. The master’s degree program was designed to prepare students to become researchers and practitioners. As such, it provides the training needed to meet the standards to be Board Certified Behavior Analysts. It will assist in their preparation for employment in many fields where there are growing demands for competent professionals with expertise in applied behavior analysis.
Practicum
The USF Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum follows the experience guidelines of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (www.BACB.com), which requires 1,000 total hours of practicum experience. Students work 10-25 hours per week at their practicum site under the direct supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Practicum placements are available at a broad array of sites throughout the greater Tampa Bay area.
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