Program Overview
Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) Program
The Hunter College School of Education Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program provides intensive training in behavior analytic intervention to professionals seeking to work or currently working with children, youth, and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnoses.
Mission
The mission of the program is to prepare professionals to implement applied behavior analytic interventions with these populations.
Academic Plan
The program is designated as APBEH-MS.
Total Credits
Students must earn at least 44 credits to complete the program.
Advisors
The program has the following faculty advisors:
- April N. Kisamore, Faculty Advisor for students with last names starting with A through G
- Lauren K. Schnell-Peskin, Faculty Advisor for students with last names starting with H through N
- Sal Ruiz, Faculty Advisor for students with last names starting with O through T
- Kendall Kastner, Faculty Advisor for students with last names starting with U through Z
- Valerie J. Lyons, Graduation and Administrative Advisor
Program Sequences
The program sequence guide provides a suggested order of courses for the program based on start date. It also includes when to take exams and apply for clinical experiences in addition to other important non-course requirements.
Verified Program Sequences
The program offers the following verified course sequences:
- Two-Year Course Sequence and Program Tracker
- Three-Year Course Sequence and Program Tracker
- Five-Year Course Sequence and Program Tracker
Transfer of Credits
A matriculated student may request a transfer of credit for a graduate-level course completed at another institution. To be eligible, the course must have been taken within the past five years and closely match the content of a required course in the student's Hunter College program.
Courses Permitted for Transfer
The program will review transfer of credit requests for the following courses:
- EDABA 74000 Philosophy of Behaviorism
- EDABA 75000 Analysis of Verbal Behavior
- EDABA 79000 Single-Subject Research Design
- EDABA 79100 Ethics and Professionalism for Applied Behavior Analysts
Transfer of Credit Not Approved
Transfer of Credit is never approved for the following courses:
- CEDF 71500 Diversity in American Schools
- EDABA 72000 Managing Behavior Analytic Records
- EDABA 75500 Functional Behavior Assessment
- EDABA 77000 Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis I (KC)
- EDABA 77100 Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis II (KC)
- EDABA 78000 Thesis I (KC)
- EDABA 78100 Thesis II (KC)
- EDABA 78200 Thesis III (KC)
- EDABA 78500 Clinical Capstone I
- EDABA 78600 Clinical Capstone II
- EDABA 78700 Clinical Capstone III
- EDABA 79300 Applied Behavior Analytic Autism Intervention for Adults
- EDABA 79500 Applied Behavior Analysis I (KC)
- EDABA 79600 Applied Behavior Analysis II (KC)
- EDABA 79800 Behavior Analytic Approaches to Learning
- EDABA 79900 Applied Behavior Analytic Autism Intervention
Clinical Experiences
Students in the Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program participate in supervised practicum.
Graduation
Graduation is the official completion of the program and conferral of an academic degree. In order to graduate, students must apply for graduation using CUNYFirst the semester before the semester of their planned graduation and complete any outstanding requirements by the stated deadlines.
Certification and Licensure
There are two credentials that professionals in Applied Behavior Analysis can earn: New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Types of Certification
Behavior Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
The BCBA is a certification provided by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. The curriculum of the Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board for Task List 5 and will prepare students for the BCBA Test Content Outline (6th edition).
New York State Licensure as a Behavior Analyst (LBA)
New York State Licensure as a behavior analyst (LBA) is required by New York state to practice ABA outside of exempt settings in the state of New York.
Applying to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
To become a BCBA, students must:
- Complete a Behavior Analyst Certification Board application
- Order Official Transcripts
- Submit Monthly and Final Signed Experience Verification Forms
Required Experience for Behavior Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
BCBA currently requires between 1500 and 2000 hours of supervised independent field experience doing relevant ABA work.
Applying to become a New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst
There are two pathways to ABA licensure in New York:
Pathway One
- Complete the Child Abuse Identification and Reporting workshop
- Upon graduation, complete the Office of the Professions Licensed Behavior Analyst application Form 1 and pay all required fees
- Complete the Office of the Professions Certification of Professional Education Form 2
- Order official transcripts and have them sent directly to the Office of the Professions
- Pass an examination acceptable to the Board and the Department
Pathway Two
Individuals are eligible to apply under Pathway Two if they are already a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).