Psychology – Combined B.S. / M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis
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Qualified current Caldwell University undergraduate psychology majors may take advantage of the opportunity to pursue their M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis in an accelerated manner through the Combined B.S./M.A. program. It is designed to facilitate the ongoing academic accomplishments of students who have established a record of excellence in psychology at the undergraduate level. Acceptance into the program will allow up to 12 psychology credits to be “double-counted” toward both the B.S. in Psychology and M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis. The student pays undergraduate tuition for graduate courses taken prior to completing the bachelor’s degree, which is awarded upon completion of the bachelor’s requirements.
Note that the 12 double-counted credits will be designated as “applicable to the graduate degree” only after the student receives the bachelor’s degree and matriculates into the master’s program, which designation will be canceled if the student withdraws from graduate study before completing the master’s program. In that case, Caldwell University will count the credits only towards the student’s undergraduate degree. Note also that grades below B in required graduate-level courses will necessitate that the student retake that course; grades below B in an elective graduate-level course will necessitate that the student either retake the course or take another graduate-level course in substitution. Students will only be permitted to take one graduate course per semester while still an undergraduate (under special circumstances, with permission a student may take two).
Students may apply in the semester prior to the semester during which they intend to begin the combined degree program.
- Completion of at least 60 undergraduate credits with a minimum 3.5 GPA (this minimum must also be maintained for the remainder of the undergraduate degree completion)
- Completion of at least 12 undergraduate psychology credits including PS 101 (General Psychology) 50 and PS 207 (General Psychology I and II)
- Two letters of recommendation from undergraduate faculty in psychology
- Personal Interview (applicants who qualify for an interview will be contacted by the ABA Department).
- Completed online Graduate Application for Admission to the MA in ABA program.
- GRE/MAT will be waived for students who matriculate through the combined degree program
Curriculum Substitutions
Taking this graduate course: | Substitutes for this undergraduate course: |
---|---|
ABA 537 Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis | ABA/PS 312 Interventions in Applied Behavior Analysis I |
ABA 526 Behavior Analysis and Learning | PS 328 Psychology of Learning |
ABA 561 Ethics and Professionalism for Behavior Analysts | 300-/400-level Psychology Elective – No Cluster |
ABA 534 Research Methods in ABA | 300-/400-level Psychology Elective – No Cluster |
If a student has already taken ABA/PS 312, PS 328, the following substitutions may be made toward the 12 credits with consultation and approval of the graduate program coordinator.
Taking this graduate course: | Substitutes for this undergraduate course: |
---|---|
ABA/CPS 535 Biopsychology OR ABA/CPS 627 Psychopharmacology | PS 304 Biopsychology |
ABA 553 Controversial Therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder | PS 275 Overview of Autism |
ABA 645 Developmental Disabilities | PS 210 Child Psychopathology |
BCBA Exam Pass Rate
In 2022, the number of first-time candidates was 8 and the BCBA exam pass rate was 100%.