Catalog Navigator : Ed.M. in Special Education with Applied Behavioral Analysis Concentration

Coordinator: Dake Zhang (848-932-0821; email: dake.zhang@gse.rutgers.edu)

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Program Description

The master's degree program in special education with the applied behavior analysis (ABA) sequence provides advanced graduate preparation in special education and enables students to take the coursework required for board certification in behavior analysis (BCBA). The program represents collaboration between the Graduate School of Education (GSE) and the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP).

The 36-credit program is composed of a special education core (15 credits), an ABA core (18 credits), and an elective chosen in consultation with an academic adviser (3 credits). The program DOES NOT include coursework leading to teacher certification in special education. The ABA sequence is preapproved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board to meet academic requirements for board certification in behavior analysis. Experience requirements are not currently included in the degree program.

A grade of B or better is required for all ABA core courses. The above courses will meet the requirements for the master's degree. An additional, seventh ABA course (18:820:522 Personnel Supervision and Management in ABA) must be taken to meet the academic requirements for eligibility to take the BCBA examination. Students will need to meet additional fieldwork experience requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. This seventh course, as well as the experience requirements, are not currently included in this degree program.

Degree Requirements

The 36-credit program is composed of a special education core (15 credits), an ABA core (18 credits), and an elective chosen in consultation with an academic adviser (3 credits).

Accepted students will have five years to complete the program, from the beginning of any coursework to be counted toward the program.

Courses

Special Education Core (15 credits)

15:293:525 Psychology of the Exceptional Child (3)

15:293:522 Learning Disabilities (3)

15:293:509 Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (3)

15:293:523 Inclusive Teaching in Education (3)

15:293:534 Classroom Organization for Special Education (3)

BCBA Core (offered by GSAPP) (18 credits)

18:820:513 Basic Principles of Behavior Analysis (3)

18:820:512 Introduction to Analysis and Single Case Design (3)

18:820:521 Ethical Issues in Behavioral Analysis (3)

18:820:514 Applications of Behavior Analytic Principles: Changing Behavior (3)

18:820:517 Assessment and Treatment of Challenging Behavior (3)

18:820:516 Advanced Topics in Behavior Analysis: State-of-the-Art Teaching Strategies for Children with Autism and Related Disorders (3)

Electives (3 credits)

One elective from Educational Psychology (290), Learning, Cognition, and Development (295), or Counseling Psychology (297), with adviser's approval.