Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis Program Outcomes

Applied Behavior Analysis program graduates will be able to:

Effectively communicate client information and needs verbally as well as through written reports.
Communicate and collaborate with a team to meet client needs and goals.
Utilize current research when developing plans for clients.
Interpret and implement the Code of Ethics set forth by the Behavioral Analysis Coordinating Board.
Demonstrate appropriate leadership skills in the practice setting.
Conduct descriptive and systematic behavioral assessments, including functional analyses, and provide behavior analytic interpretations of the results.
Administer and supervise behavior analytic interventions, including educational programs for a variety of students with and without disabilities.
Analyze the effectiveness of educational and behavioral programs.

Program Options

There are three options available at CMU for training in the field of ABA.

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis degree allows students to major in ABA.
The minor in ABA allows students seeking another degree type (e.g., psychology, education, criminology, business) to gain training in the field of ABA.
Our courses are a part of the Verified Course Sequence (VCS) which is overseen by ABAI and may also be taken individually.

Course Information

The ABA program at CMU is entirely online. Course requirements include online access to lectures, assignments, student forums, and tests. Students are not required to log in at specific times for forums, lectures or tests, however, there are weekly due dates for all work that must be met. In addition, if students do not attend the weekly online meetings they must plan for at least 3 live “check-in” sessions per course with their instructor. It should be noted that the ABA courses are very challenging and require active participation on a regular basis.

Requirements for Admission

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the University.
Minimum GPA of 2.75 overall; An associate of arts degree in Psychology, Education, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language Pathology or closely related field from a regionally accredited institution OR a student may have completed 60 hours, including having met the 42 hour block, and have requisite coursework in Psychology, Education or a closely related field, and may be considered for admission.
Students must have completed PY101, General Psychology prior to admission.
Official transcripts from all regionally and nationally accredited colleges and universities attended; and
Non-native speakers of English must present evidence of proficiency in the English language by scoring a 550 or higher on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 213 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL or 77 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL.
A student may be admitted to the institution as a pre-program degree-seeking student until completion of pre-requisite courses is completed.

Curriculum Requirements

A cumulative 2.5 GPA must be maintained and a grade of "C" or above must be attained in all Applied Behavior Analysis courses. Any student wishing to sit for certification must not have any grade lower than a "C" in those courses required for certification.
The program should be completed within five (5) years of enrollment.

Graduation Requirements

Satisfactory completion of the liberal arts and/or general education coursework as well as all courses in the major;
Satisfactory completion of at least 120 credit hours;
Satisfactory completion of at least 15 credit hours of upper-division coursework in the major;
Satisfactory completion of at least 30 credit hours of upper-division coursework;
Satisfaction of the 30-hour residency requirement;
Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on coursework earned at CMU;
Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on all upper-division major coursework;
Payment of all tuition and fees; and
Recommendation of the faculty.

Pass-rate data are not published for sequences with fewer than six first-time candidates in a single year or for sequences within their first four years of operation.

The verified course sequence meets the requirement for coursework alone. Students must also seek experience hours and supervision independently and in addition to this program. For more information including specific experience and supervision requirements please view www.bacb.com