Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University has added a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program to its curriculum for Fall 2023.
The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program is designed to prepare students for employment at the master’s level in ABA or to pursue doctoral studies in the field. The program will include extensive training in skill acquisition and behavior reduction procedures and expose students to a broad range of applied and experimental areas through coursework, service learning, research, internships and other applied experiences.
Through courses in conditioning and learning, research methods, ethics, biostatistics and epidemiology, behaviorism and supervision and management, ABA master’s students will develop the skills they need to confidently perform ABA to suit client needs and serve their community. The ABA master’s degree also offers an optional internship component, which allows students to put their education into action through hands-on learning experiences.
The program is for individuals interested in entering the workforce as a Board-Certified Behavior Analysts. The populations most likely to seek ABA training include special education teachers, recent psychology majors from colleges and universities across Louisiana and those already working in the field as Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts.
ABA is used prevalently in assisting individuals diagnosed with autism-spectrum disorder with therapy typically reimbursable through health insurance.
The curriculum is designed to not only meet standards necessary for graduates to take the ABA licensure exam but also meet standards for the optional national accreditation.
According to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (2022), the demand for behavior analysts has increased every year since 2010. Demand specifically for those with a master's-level certification in the field has risen nearly 6,000 percent in just over a decade. From April 2018 to March 2019 there were 199 unique BCBA job postings in the state of Louisiana.
ABA Program Director Tracy Lepper said that the ABA master’s program at FranU was developed to help address the need in Baton Rouge, and based on program quality indicators, such as high BCBA pass rates. “Based on that research, we adopted the face-to-face modality of instruction, decided to offer a variety of applied learning experiences including a thesis requirement, limited our cohort size, and restricted enrollment to the fall semester,” she continued. “In alignment with the mission of the university, we have worked hard to ensure that the program provides students with the instruction and training necessary for them to become a highly skilled behavior analysts, integrated thinkers who are trained as both a scientist and practitioner and a faith-filled citizen while offering a supportive learning environment.”
The application will open on December 12. Prospective students should start the application process no later than February by visiting franu.edu/apply. For more information about the program visit franu.edu/abamasters.
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