Behavior Analysis and Therapy, MS

Program Description

The Master of Science degree in Behavior Analysis and Therapy is a joint effort between the School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences and the School of Special Education, Leadership and Professional Studies. The coursework consists of 27 credit hours of classroom work and 6 credit hours of practicum work. Also, students will complete an empirically-based 6 credit thesis project as a culminating experience. Successful completion of the program will result in having met the course sequence and supervised practicum criteria to set for the national certification examination and become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. A unique feature of the program is the specialized training opportunities for those who will be working within school settings. Students who complete this program will be trained to be experts in applied behavior Analysis so to (1) employ research based instructional strategies for special populations (specifically students with Autism Spectrum Disorders) in clinical, school and home based settings and (2) to become competent scientist-practitioners and researchers in experimental and applied behavioral science.

Admission to our Master’s program is very competitive. Hence, the application deadline is February 15th. All application materials, including recommendation letters, should be submitted by February 15th.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission into the Behavior Analysis and Therapy program students must meet the following requirements:

1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited undergraduate university.
2. Three (3) letters of recommendation.
3. Statement of interest in the program.
4. Maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 in undergraduate and graduate work and a 3.25 in major field.
5. Applicants with a Psychology major must have maintained a 3.25 in all psychology coursework and completed at least 20 semester hours or 30 quarter hours of psychology, including coursework in statistics and research methods.
6. Applicants with an Education major with an emphasis in Special Education must have maintained a 3.25 GPA in the professional education courses and the certificate subject area of Special Education.
7. All applications to the graduate program will be required to complete a Family Care Safety Registry background check. If you are a Missouri resident and have not completed the Family Care and Safety Registry (FCSR) form, please do so now.

Accelerated Master’s Degree Option

Before enrolling in a course to be counted as both undergraduate and graduate credit and to count a course toward the Master’s degree, an undergraduate student must be accepted into the accelerated program and receive prior approval from the graduate program advisor, the School Director of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, and the Dean of the Graduate College. Enrollment in these courses must be done by using a mixed credit form. Acceptance into the program and all approvals must be completed prior to the end of the Change of Schedule Period for the courses. See the Graduate College for further information.

Accelerated Option Admission Requirements

1. Junior standing, with an overall GPA of 3.25 or better
2. Three (3) letters of recommendation.
3. Statement of interest in the program.
4. Acceptance of the applicant by the graduate faculty under the accelerated masters option