Applied Behavior Analysis
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    Applied Behavior Analysis

    University of South Florida
    University of South Florida
    United States of America
    United States of America, Tampa
    University Rank:#631
    Go to Official Website
    Duration2 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    USD 914 / credit
    Next IntakeAugust 21, 2023

    Applied Behavior Analysis

    About

    The master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is designed to meet growing needs in Florida and nationally for practitioners who can work effectively in the fields of developmental disabilities, autism, education, child protective services, child behavior disorders, rehabilitation, mental health, and business and technology. ABA provides an approach for developing, implementing, and evaluating practical strategies to produce changes in socially significant behaviors of individuals in the context of community settings. Three important features characterize the scientific basis upon which ABA is built: a) it focuses upon objectively measurable behavior of individuals; b) it studies environmental influences upon the targeted behaviors; and c) it places a premium upon single-subject research designs to analyze the effects of different environmental variables.

    The master's degree in ABA is in the Department of Child and Family Studies in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences is fully online. Students demonstrate knowledge of behavioral principles and procedures in courses that constitute a core curriculum, demonstrate applied behavior analysis skills through supervised field experiences, and complete a data based case-study. The major is designed to prepare students to meet the standards to be Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). It will prepare them for employment in a variety of fields where there are growing demands for competent professionals with expertise in applied behavior analysis.

    Philosophy

    The systematic analysis and application of behavioral principles is an extensive repertoire of professional behaviors. In the USF ABA major, these skills are acquired as students move through the sequenced curriculum of coursework and fieldwork experiences. The curriculum requires application of behavior analytic principles, with direct supervision by faculty and BCBA supervisors. Students participate in fieldwork training in community agencies under the supervision of BCBAs. In addition to the 10-25 hours of behavior analysis practice they complete in their fieldwork sites each week, students also participate in practicum seminars each semester. In these seminars, the instructor discusses important practice issues and facilitates student discussion of their applied work. The supervision of the students' case study research rests in the hands of the on-site supervisor and designated core faculty member. On-site supervisors and ABA faculty serve as mentors for the students by closely supervising their case study research and their progress through the major. Therefore, as students are mentored by their on-site supervisor and USF professors during the major, a meaningful supervisor-student relationship is essential.

    Disciplines

    College of Behavioral and Community Sciences

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    Each applicant to a graduate degree program at the University of South Florida is required to meet the following minimum requirements. Applicants should check with their program of interest to see if there are any additional application requirements (e.g. test scores, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose and resume).

    • The equivalent bachelor’s and/or graduate degrees from a foreign institution. Bachelor’s degrees from institutions in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) are considered equivalent based on the Bologna Accord. For applicants with a 3-year bachelor’s degree with less than 120 hours, from non-Bologna Accord institutions, a transcript evaluation from a NACES member is required to confirm equivalency.
    • Minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in one of the following ways:
      • All completed undergraduate coursework
      • All completed graduate coursework

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 53
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 79

    Fee Information

    Application Fee 30

    How to Apply

    1. Submit Your Application

    Complete the USF online application or the Common App application.

    2. Pay Your Application Fee

    Pay the nonrefundable, $30 application fee.

    3. Submit Official Transcripts

    Send original or certified copies of academic transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, diplomas or certificates, national standardized examination results, or other academic course work to USF.

    • Include a certified English translation for all documents not written in English. If you need assistance translating your documents into English, we recommend using the American Translators Association to find a certified translator.
    • We can accept digital copies of these secondary and post-secondary school records emailed directly from an appropriate official at your school to [email protected]. Alternatively, mail your transcripts via post to:

    University of South Florida
    Office of Admissions
    4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 1036
    Tampa, FL 33620
    United States 

    If you have completed all 4 years of high school in the U.S., you will need to submit your coursework and grades via the Student Self-Reported Academic Record (SSAR) website. If you have attended any overseas high school, you will need to submit your official transcripts.

    4. Submit Official SAT or ACT Scores

    If you are submitting ACT scores, you are required to submit scores for the Writing section, per Florida Board of Governors requirements. 

    • SAT Code for USF: 5828
    • ACT Code for USF: 0761

    Students are only required to submit either SAT or ACT scores, but they are encouraged to submit both. USF superscores, meaning we consider your highest submitted section scores across all SAT and ACT test dates. Final admission decisions are made using only your highest cumulative scores. USF will not accept scores from the Common App portal, your guidance counselor or PDF screenshot. Scores must come directly from SAT or ACT testing services.

    5. Send Official TOEFL or Duolingo Scores

    This step is only required for students from non-English speaking countries. Scores are valid for two years from the original date of examination.

    • Request official TOEFL scores directly from ETS. Our school code is 5828.
    • Request official Duolingo scores directly from the testing agency.

    If these English-proficiency tests are required, applicants must attain the following minimum scores: 

    • TOEFL – 79
    • Duolingo – 110
    • SAT – 24 (Reading), 25 (Writing and Language)
    • ACT – 17 (English), 19 (Reading)

    The English-proficiency test requirement may be waived if the applicant has successfully met another proof of English proficiency requirement as outlined in the USF academic catalog.

    Applied Behavior Analysis

    University of South Florida

    University of South Florida

    United States of America

    United States of America, Tampa

    Go to Official Website