The department's graduate program trains researchers and scientist-practitioners in the discovery and production, translation and application, and communication of knowledge in the behavioral sciences for understanding and solving problems of societal importance. For this, the department offers a Master's of Arts (M.A.) in Applied Behavioral Science and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Behavioral Psychology. For both degrees, the department offers (a) a sequence of courses that integrates the basic principles of behavior, experimental methods and research design, and conceptual foundations with (b) training in basic, applied, and intervention research.
The coursework accompanying our Master's and Ph.D degrees fulfill the curricular requirements of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board. In addition, these programs are accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International.
The master's program trains highly competent scientist-practitioners in applied behavioral science. The program offers courses on the empirical and conceptual foundations of behavioral science, and its research methods, but emphasizes coursework and supervised experience in behavioral assessment, analysis, intervention, and evaluation. Its mission is to advance empirically-based solutions to problems of societal importance.
Course Requirements
The M.A. degree requires 30 credit hours -- 12 of
them in four content areas, 3 in a practicum. Students must also conduct, write, and orally defend
an empirically-based thesis.
The curriculum provides a sequence of instruction that integrates:
For its research and training, the department receives considerable grant funding. In 2000, it received the first ever award from the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis for its "Enduring Programmatic Contributions".
The doctoral training program operates according to a junior colleague model. Students work closely with their advisers, joining them in every aspect of professional development. This includes designing and conducting research, preparing manuscripts for presentation and publication, and presenting and publishing those manuscripts. Students typically work with one adviser, but may work with others or have co-advisers.
Course Requirements
Ph.D. students are required to take one course in each of
seven content areas, along with two practicum courses. Students complete and orally defend an
empirically based Master's thesis. With approval, empirically-based theses from other graduate
programs may meet this requirement. Following competency exams, students propose, conduct, and defend
an empirically-based dissertation.
Faculty and student research teams address issues in community health and development, child and youth health and development, disabilities and independent living, and healthy aging. Separate admission is required for both the department (Ph.D. program) and Preventative Medicine (M.P.H. program).
