The Department of Psychology
APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS OPTION
The Department of Psychology and the Division of Special Education and Counseling jointly offer options in Applied Behavior Analysis. Both options have been accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis and are awaiting reaccreditation. The M.S. in psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis option is comprised of 55 quarter units, including courses offered by both the psychology departments and the division of special education and counseling. The option is designed to develop specialized professional competence in the application of behavior analysis to the education and treatment of typical, autistic and developmentally disabled children as well as populations in other settings (e.g., business and industry). The curriculum also prepares interested students for doctoral training.
Application
The application must be accompanied by a brief, but complete, letter of intent containing a personal summary of your interest in Applied Behavior Analysis, your plans for specialization, and any experience you have had in this area. Also, submit two academic letters of recommendation and official transcripts attached to your application. In addition to the application, letters of reference and transcripts, a personal interview with the program director is required. Deadline for student applications is March 1st. Notification of application status will no later than May 1st and usually by April 1st.
In addition to the requirements for application to the University and the Department, completion of the MS program in Applied Behavior Analysis requires a personal interview with members of the Departments of Psychology and Counselor Education for placement in the required fieldwork component of the program. To insure that this eligibility is established, and will not prevent completion of the program, students are strongly advised to complete this interview as part of the process of application. The interview is conducted jointly by members of the Department of Psychology and the Division of Special Education and Counseling, and may be arranged by contacting Dr. Hank Schlinger in Psychology. The interview should be completed before any class work is begun.
Core Courses
In Psychology
PSY 417 Single case design
PSY 421 Learning and behavior
PSY 428 Introduction to Analysis of Behavior
PSY 500 Seminar in Learning and behavior
PSY 528 Seminar in Applied Behavior Analysis
PSY 595 Fieldwork in Psychology
PSY 596 Comprehensive Examination
PSY 598 Graduate Directed Study
or
PSY 597 Graduate research (Thesis preparation)
PSY 599 Thesis
In Counseling
CE 501 Behavioral analysis in school and agencies
CE 502 Adv/Behavior therapy
CE 504 Applications of behavior analysis to education
CE 592 Behavior Interventions for Severe Behavior Problems (4)
CE 593 Practicum: Consultation and staff development
Interested students should contact the Department of Psychology at California State University Los Angeles (323) 343-2250, or contact the program Director, Dr. Hank Schlinger at hschlin@calstatela.edu or by telephone at (323) 343-2257.
See Application Form in Graduate Handbook