• Faculty
• Research
• Facilities
• Admissions
• Courses
• Links
• Contact

Our Applied Behavior Analysis course sequence has been approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) ®. You can learn more about the certification process at www.bacb.com.

Behavior analysis is the experimental analysis of behavior. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the design, implementation, and evaluation of environmental modifications to produce socially significant improvements in behavior.  ABA involves the direct observation, measurement, and functional analysis of the relations between environment variables and behavior. ABA is based on sound scientific principles and has a solid research foundation that proves its effectiveness. Learn more»

The Master of Arts program in psychology comprises two specialty tracks: a doctoral program prepraration track and an applied behaivor anlaysis track. Both emphasize:

Students who choose the ABA track are interested in applied behavior analysis, and are either interested in becoming eligible to sit for the certification exam conducted by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) ® or in pursuing a doctorate in applied behavior analysis. Students wishing to pursue a doctorate in applied behavior analysis should apply under the applied behavior analysis track, but indicate in a cover letter that they ultimately wish to apply to a doctorate program in ABA. Learn more»

As a potential applicant to a private university, you may be concerned about high tuition rates and decide that it is much too expensive for you. This note is written to reassure you that it is not.

First, and most important, in a typical year almost all graduate students in Psychology receive a substantial amount of financial aid which includes the remission of a substantial portion of your tuition costs plus a stipend for performing a job (e.g., research assistant, teaching assistant, traineeship in departmental treatment programs for the mentally or developmentally disabled). For the 2006-07 academic year, 100% of students (both first and second year) are receiving a substantial amount of tuition remission and 100% of our students are receiving stipends. Therefore, if you feel the nature of the program meets your needs and goals, we encourage you to apply.

Second, you may be assuming that graduate students take 15-l6 units a semester, as undergraduates do. However, graduate students in Psychology take only 8-10 units a semester during their first year of study. Thus, for the 2007-08 academic year, the total tuition cost for first year students taking 18 units was $15,156 ($842/unit), with tuition remission covering approximately 85% of the tuition costs. During the second year of study, graduate students take fewer units, typically 6 units in the Fall and 6 units in the Spring. Tuition remission will reduce these costs by 75% or more for most students!