M.S. in Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The CMHC program at Missouri State University leads to a Master of Science (M.S.) degre...
M.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy
Springfield, Missouri
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
The M.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy is a 39-credit-hour program typically completed in two years. It's designed to prepare students for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) national certification exam. The program focuses on providing students with the skills to identify, understand, and effectively improve human behavior through scientifically validated interventions. It offers both a traditional master's degree plan and an accelerated master's option for qualified undergraduate students at MSU, allowing for a seamless transition into graduate studies. The curriculum includes extensive coursework and significant practicum experience, ensuring graduates are well-versed in both theory and practice.
Curriculum: The curriculum is rigorously structured to meet the educational requirements for BCBA certification. Core required courses typically include Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis, Single Subject Research Design in Applied Behavior Analysis, Observational Methods and Functional Assessment, Ethical and Professional Issues, Behavioral Systems Analysis, and Conceptual Foundations of Applied Behavioral Science. Additionally, students engage in specialized coursework focusing on applied behavioral analysis for developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. A significant portion of the program involves Practicum hours, providing supervised, hands-on experience in various clinical and educational settings. Students also complete a Directed Research project or a Thesis, allowing for in-depth scholarly contribution. Elective courses can further tailor the student's learning, including options in psychological tests and measurements, behavior disorders of childhood, or contemporary issues in special education and diversity.
Research Focus: The M.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy at MSU has a strong research focus, emphasizing empirically-based interventions. Students are required to complete a research project or a thesis, where they engage in original research under the guidance of faculty mentors. This "scientist-practitioner" model ensures graduates are not only skilled practitioners but also capable of critically evaluating existing research and contributing to the evidence base of applied behavior analysis. Faculty research interests often include areas such as functional assessment of problem behaviors, behavior-analytic conceptualization of learning, and interventions for various populations. The program highlights the importance of using foundational and technical practices rooted in research, making it interdisciplinary with experimental analysis of behavior.
Industry Engagement: A key strength of the M.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy program is its direct preparation for industry roles. The curriculum is designed to meet the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requirements for supervised fieldwork, which is crucial for BCBA eligibility. This often involves students completing significant practicum hours in real-world settings such as clinics, hospitals, schools, and private practices, working with individuals with autism, mental health issues, and other behavioral challenges. Faculty members, often BCBAs themselves, oversee these practicum experiences, providing direct supervision and mentorship. The program's strong career outcomes, with high employment rates for graduates, underscore its effective industry engagement and its ability to produce highly marketable professionals for a rapidly growing healthcare field.
Global Perspective: While the M.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy at Missouri State University primarily focuses on practices within the U.S. context, the principles of behavior analysis are universal. The program equips students with skills to identify and improve socially significant behaviors, which are relevant across diverse cultures and populations. The emphasis on ethical and culturally responsive service delivery, as part of the curriculum, prepares graduates to work effectively with individuals from various backgrounds. Although not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the foundational scientific principles taught in the program are applicable to understanding and addressing behavioral issues globally, allowing graduates to potentially contribute to the field in international settings or to work with diverse populations within the United States.
Location
Springfield, Missouri
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 15914
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $72
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
Missouri State University offers several scholarship opportunities designed specifically to support international students in pursuing their higher education goals. These scholarships aim to recognize academic excellence, leadership qualities, and contributions to campus life, helping reduce the financial burden for international learners.
International Excellence Scholarship: This merit-based scholarship awards to outstanding first-time international freshmen. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years. Eligibility is based on strong academic records, and recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving the award.
International Leadership Scholarship: Targeting international freshmen who demonstrate exceptional leadership and academic achievement. It is renewable for up to four years. Applicants are required to submit an essay highlighting their leadership experiences and vision. The scholarship is competitive, with only about 10 awards granted each year.
Additional Scholarships and Grants: Besides the primary scholarships, Missouri State University provides various other financial awards through departmental scholarships, honors programs, and special initiatives. Some scholarships may require separate applications or nominations based on the student's major or area of study.
Graduates of Missouri State University's (MSU) Master of Science (M.S.) in Behavior Analysis and Therapy are exceptionally well-positioned for a wide range of careers due to the high demand for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and the program's comprehensive training. The field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing recognition of its effectiveness, particularly in treating individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. MSU's program ensures graduates are ready to meet this demand, armed with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA): This is the most common and direct career path. BCBAs conduct assessments, design and implement individualized behavior intervention plans, and provide direct therapy to individuals across the lifespan in various settings, including homes, schools, clinics, and residential facilities. They often work with individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities.
Clinical Supervisor/Program Coordinator: Experienced BCBAs can advance to supervisory roles, overseeing teams of behavior technicians (RBTs) and other behavior analysts. They ensure the quality and fidelity of treatment plans, provide mentorship, and manage clinical operations within an organization.
School Behavior Analyst: Working within educational systems, these professionals collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to develop and implement behavior intervention plans for students with diverse needs, aiming to improve academic and social outcomes in the classroom.
Behavior Consultant: Graduates can work independently or for consulting firms, contracting with individuals, families, schools, or organizations to provide specialized expertise in behavior management and intervention. This offers flexibility and the chance to work across various settings and populations.
Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) Specialist: Applying the principles of ABA to workplace settings, OBM specialists help businesses improve employee performance, productivity, safety, and overall organizational efficiency. This is a growing sub-discipline within ABA.
Autism Specialist: Many BCBAs choose to focus specifically on individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They develop and implement comprehensive ABA therapy programs to address communication, social, adaptive, and behavioral challenges associated with ASD.
Researcher/Academic (Further Study): The M.S. program provides a strong foundation for those interested in pursuing doctoral studies (Ph.D.) in behavior analysis or related fields. With a Ph.D., graduates can pursue careers as university professors, conducting research, teaching, and shaping the future of the field.
Rehabilitation Counselor/Therapist: Graduates can apply their understanding of behavior change in rehabilitation settings, assisting individuals recovering from brain injuries, strokes, or other neurological conditions to regain skills and adapt to new challenges.
Addiction Therapist/Counselor: ABA principles are highly effective in treating addiction. Graduates can work in substance abuse treatment centers, developing behavior modification programs to help individuals overcome addiction and maintain sobriety.
Parent Trainer/Coach: Many BCBAs specialize in providing direct training and support to parents and caregivers of children with behavioral challenges. They empower families with strategies and techniques to manage difficult behaviors and promote positive interactions within the home environment.
