There are three options for completing comprehensive exams, thesis research and/or elective courses (see master’s tab). A total of 9 credit hours are required that can be distributed between thesis research and elective courses in the following ways:
OPTION 1: 9 credits of elective course and completion of comprehensive exams
Comprehensive Exams: ABA Master’s Students are required to take a comprehensive exam. Exams are offered two times per year: June and January. Comprehensive exams can only be scheduled once a student has completed the core applied behavior analysis courses:
- Theory in Applied Behavior Analysis I and II (730.01/.02)
- Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis I and II (730.05/.06)
- Psychology of Learning (730.00)
- Fieldwork Project in Applied Behavior Analysis (795.00) recommended
The exam will present five essay questions and students are required to answer all five questions. Each question targets a different content area derived from the BCBA task list:
- Designing and Evaluating Interventions.
- Theory and Practice of Applied Behavior Analysis.
- Measurement and Graphing.
- Principles, processes, and concepts.
- Behavioral Assessment and Functional Assessment.
**Students are allowed to take comprehensive exams a maximum of two times. If the exam is taken a second time, the second administration must be within in 1 year of the first attempt.
OPTION 2: 6 credits of independent thesis work and 3 credits of elective courses.
Students choosing this option will work closely with an Applied Behavior Analysis faculty member and:
- Develop a new research project.
- Formally propose his/her research in a meeting with the faculty advisor and at least one additional committee member (FT faculty member of the psych dept).
- Submit an Institutional Review Board (IRB) application for the proposed research project (IRB approval is required before the study can begin).
- Produce a publication-style manuscript for the proposal committee meeting.
- Defend the final project to the faculty advisor and additional committee member.
OPTION 3: 3 credits of thesis work and 6 credits of elective courses.
Students choosing this option will work with an Applied Behavior Analysis faculty member and:
- Develop a research project that can be an elaboration of research conducted in Psych 730.05/730.06 and/or 795.
- Submit an Institutional Review Board (IRB) application for the proposed research project (IRB approval is required before the study can begin).
- The final outcome of this research is a publication-style manuscript that is approved by the student’s faculty advisor.
**Students should plan ahead
Qualifications for completing a thesis:
- High GPA (3.5 or higher)
- Active engagement in research prior to thesis (e.g., attendance at lab meetings)
- Formal research relationship with ABA mentor
- ABA mentor agrees to supervise thesis
- Completion of 730.05 and 730.06 prior to planning a thesis
Contact
(718) 997- 3294
aba@qc.cuny.edu
Sally Izquierdo, Director
Application Deadlines
May 1 for ABA MA
May 1 for ABA AC