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Applied Behavior Analysis (Ph.D.)

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Become a leader in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA).

Ph.d. in applied behavior analysis (60 credits).

The Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Behavior Analysis is a research-based program preparing you to teach at the university level or work as a scientist-practitioner involving business/industry, developmental disabilities (including autism), education, and public policy.

Applied behavior analysis is devoted to the understanding and improvement of human behavior by:

• Objectively defining and measuring the behavior under question, while
• Demonstrating a reliable relationship between the procedures employed and the behavioral improvements gained, by
• Utilizing methods of science, including description, quantification, and analysis.

Program Features:

• Program can be completed in as little as three years
• Cohorts begin each September
• No residency requirement
• Offered as a synchronous online model
• 60 semester hours • 30 hours of coursework • 30 hours of research and clinical immersion
• Expert faculty

Doctoral Admission Requirements

Register for an Info Session

Curriculum Requirements - Total Credits Required: 60

Core courses - 24 credits.

• ABA 701 - The History of Behavior Analysis (Cr: 3)
• ABA 705 - Behaviorism and Philosophy of Science (Cr: 3)
• ABA 710 - Conditioning and Learning (Cr: 3)
• ABA 715 - Verbal Behavior and the Science of Human Behavior (Cr: 3)
• ABA 720 - Professional and Ethical Issues in Behavior Analysis (Cr: 3)
• ABA 730 - Research Methods and Applied Behavior Analysis (Cr: 3)
• ABA 745 - Experimental Design & Analysis (Cr: 3)
• ABA 760 - Technology of Teaching Seminar (Cr: 3)

Electives - 6 credits

• ABA 735 - Advanced Seminar in ABA Research (Cr: 3)
• ABA 751 - Research in Social Skills Training (Cr: 3)
• ABA 754 - Behavioral Research on Complex Skill Acquisition (Cr: 3)
• ABA 758 - Bridging the Gap: The Scientist-Practitioner Model (Cr: 3)
• ABA 761 - Topical Seminar (Cr: 3) Multiple topics are available

Immersion Experiences - 9 credits

• ABA 762 - Clinical Immersion (Cr: 3)
• ABA 765 - Research Immersion Practicum I (Cr: 3)
• ABA 766 - Research Immersion Practicum II (Cr: 3)

Additional Requirements - 21 credits

• ABA 855 - College Teaching Practicum (Cr: 0)
• ABA 865 - Research Tool Demonstration (Cr: 3)
• ABA 870 - Research Project (Cr: 3)
• ABA 886 - Qualifying Examinations (Cr: 3)
• ABA 891 - Doctoral Dissertation I (Cr: 6)
• ABA 893 - Doctoral Dissertation II (Cr: 6)

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will:

• Organizes the knowledge, principles, and skills of Applied Behavior Analysis in the conduct of problem- oriented research
• Formulate research questions that are in keeping with a problem-oriented model
• Design problem-oriented research projects to provide evidence-based solutions to socially significant problems
• Demonstrate skill in planning curriculum and instruction, delivering effective instruction, managing classroom climate, promoting equality and meeting professional standards
• Analyze and compare previous research solutions to topics within the scope of Applied Behavior Analysis

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Behavior Analysis, Ph.D.

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The Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis

The behavior analysis graduate program at Florida Tech offers a PhD for students looking to pursue further study in this discipline. PhD graduates become behavior-analytic researchers, instructors, and practitioners. Florida Tech professors expect graduates of the behavior analysis doctorate program to approach the world from the perspective of a behaviorist; to continue to contribute to behavioral research; to inform their practice with current research findings; to obtain academic and professional positions; and to effectively manage other behavior analysts under their supervision.

Flexible Program—Professional Culture

Florida Tech students include a diverse mix of working professionals to students from around the globe seeking to obtain higher-level consultation skills. Students who choose one of Florida Tech's applied behavior analysis programs build the foundation necessary to become a well-respected professional. Students in the Behavior Analysis Ph.D. program can choose to specialize in either clinical applications of behavior analysis or organizational behavior management by conducting research in one of these areas. 

“ Why Choose Florida Tech for a Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis? ”

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The Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board accredits Florida Tech's School of Behavior Analysis on-campus graduate programs, including the PhD Behavior Analysis.  The BACB® has approved the Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork in Behavior Analysis as meeting the fieldwork requirements for the experiential component of the BCBA® examination.

Florida Tech's on-campus master's-level applied behavior analysis programs (applied behavior analysis, organizational behavior management, and the dual program) provide students with the requirements to take the BCBA examination immediately upon completion of graduate school. If a doctoral student has completed a master's degree but is not a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) or does not meet the supervision requirements to sit for the BCBA examination, Florida Tech offers coursework in Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork in Behavior Analysis.

Dedicated Faculty

Professors in the applied behavior analysis programs are dedicated, productive researchers and practitioners with a commitment to developing the field of behavior analysis. Training the next generation of behavior analytic researchers and practitioners, the faculty is made up of Board Certified Behavior Analysts. Students receive one-on-one attention from professors who work alongside them in research and through client interaction. A close student-professor culture in the applied behavior analysis programs creates a professional environment where students are viewed as research professionals and colleagues and demonstrate competency in research, teaching, supervision and consultation.

Research Opportunities

Florida Tech professors perform applied research outside of their teaching responsibilities working in settings such as clinical treatment or organizational consulting. Ph.D. students participate in this research, often publishing research articles in respected ABA journals. Leading training sessions for educators on classroom behavior problems and working with children and their families to provide assessment, training and behavior therapy at the Scott Center for Autism Treatment are examples of how Florida Tech's applied behavior analysis programs provide real-world experience.

Facilities & Resources

The School of Psychology houses classrooms, human research areas, observation and treatment rooms, computer facilities, two conference rooms, and a student workroom/lounge. In addition, the Scott Center for Autism Treatment is located directly on Florida Tech's campus providing real-world experience and research with children with autism and related disorders. The Society for Performance Management and Behavior Analysis Student Association are also available resources for students in applied behavior analysis programs.

“ What can I do with a Career in Behavior Analysis? ”

Though behavior analysts are often best known for advances in autism treatment and support, the field offers a variety of options for graduates with a PhD in behavior analysis. Alumni of Florida Tech behavior analysis programs reside around the world, working in businesses, schools, clinics, residential treatment centers, group homes, and private practice.

This same success is seen by the doctoral graduates, who have successfully obtained post-doctoral fellowships at prestigious institutions (such as the University of Nebraska Medical School/Munroe Meyer Institute) or been hired as university faculty members. Other graduates have obtained behavior analysis jobs as consultants or program directors.

These applied behavior analysis jobs involve working with children, individuals with autism, people with schizophrenia or intellectual disabilities. Graduates also work with employees in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations in business, industry, speech-language pathology, animal behavior and training, and special education.

Diverse Career Options

Though applied behavior analysts are often best known for advances in autism treatment and support, graduates find work in a wide variety of fields working as consultants, independent contractors and as Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) professionals. On average, graduates of a behavior analysis graduate program with a PhD have higher salaries and employment rates than those with master's or bachelor degrees, according to the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Some doctoral graduates also continue into academia as professors to teach the next generation of students.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook , published by the BLS, provides detailed information about hundreds of occupations, including, entry-level education, overall working environment, and employment prospects. According to the Bureau, overall employment in psychology careers such as applied behavior analysis jobs are projected to grow 12% through 2022. This includes a higher demand for school psychologists to work with students, particularly those with special needs, learning disabilities, and behavioral issues. Jobs will also include professionals who can assess and counsel students, as well as study how in-school and out-of-school factors affect learning.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) jobs include:

• Private practice as a certified ABA providing early intervention services to children with autism
• ABA in a school district assisting teachers to manage students with problem behavior
• ABA in a group home
• ABA consultant to companies focusing on improving employee performance
• ABA internal consultant to improve employee performance
• Program manager or director of specialized school
• ABA for state or federal government

Applied Behavior Analysis Training at the Doctoral Level

The mission of Florida Tech's applied behavior analysis training is to develop PhD behavior-analytic practitioners and consultants who have obtained their BCBA certification and contribute to behavioral research and practice.

Applied behavior analysis training at the doctoral level includes participation in a high-degree of behavior-based research projects under the mentorship of a faculty member. Many professors are published authors and experts on many facets of applied behavior analysis, such as:

• Behavioral economics
• Token economies
• Self-management
• Sports psychology
• Organizational behavior management

As noted above, students participate in such research as assessing and treatment behavior problems, teaching methods for individuals with disabilities while working with faculty members in ongoing research at the Scott Center for Autism Treatment.

In addition, teams of faculty and students form to study topics in behavioral analysis, presenting their research at state and national conferences, such as the annual meeting of the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis (FABA) and the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). Graduates of the applied behavior analysis graduate programs at the doctoral level are well prepared to pursue academic positions, to continue active research programs and to effectively manage behavior analysts under their supervision, both in research and practice. 

Portfolio of Published Articles

Outside of research , ABA students often publish research in respected ABA journals, including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis in Practice , and Behavioral Interventions . Organizations and research centers located both on and off campus help students delve deeper into applied behavior analysis training, such as:

• The Society for Performance Management —Designed to facilitate up-to-date information on the newest research and practices performed by professionals in the field.
• Behavior Analysis Student Association —MS and PhD students who meet regularly to discuss topics in behavior analysis and hold an annual conference on the field.
• The Scott Center for Autism Treatment —Specializes in working with children with autism and related disorders.
• Florida Tech Continuing Education —Professional development courses and certification programs online.

“ ”

Applied Behavior Analysis PhD

Ph.D. in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis

The  Teaching as Applied Behavior Analysis  Ph.D. incorporates an approach to teacher training in which all instruction used by teachers is based on scientific evidence and the use of scientific procedures to fit the appropriate science-based practices to individual students’ varied learning and language developmental needs.

Research is a central component of the training—both the applications of research using science based tactics and measurement, and the generation of new research. The focus of the MA program is in the application of scientific procedures in classrooms, while Ph.D. students engage in research throughout their program, building on their research training in the MA, culminating in a dissertation that identifies and investigates a topic related to our mission.

Dissertations must make contributions to both the applied and basic science . The faculty and the students generate a substantial body of research leading to publications and presentations at international scientific conferences each year and this is a key component of the Ph.D. training. Programmatic research is conducted in the following areas: effective classroom practices, language/verbal development interventions that result in children learning to learn in different ways, observational learning, and systems wide scientific approaches to education.

Students who already hold M.A. Degrees from other institutions must take the twelve M.A. core courses because the core prepares them with the means to be successful in completing milestone Ph.D. requirements. Ph.D. students also need to be dually certified in New York State for teaching children from birth to grade 6.

Detailed Ph.D. Program Description

Admissions Information

Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.

Doctor of Philosophy

• Points/Credits: 75
• Entry Terms: Summer, Fall
• Enrollment Formats: Full-Time

Application Deadlines

Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines , such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.

Application Requirements

Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2023-2024)

Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 terms.

View Full Catalog Listing

Research and Evaluation Emphasis:

Students with excellent potential as researchers and theoreticians who are interested in scholarly careers in special education, education, and related social sciences may apply for the Ph.D. degree program, which represents the highest level of achievement in the Arts and Sciences. This degree program is administered jointly by Teachers College and the graduate faculty of Columbia University.

Prospective students may obtain information on program offerings by contacting the program office.

The Teaching as Applied Behavior Analysis M.A. and Ph.D. programs incorporate an approach to teacher training in which all instruction used by teachers is based on scientific evidence and the use of scientific procedures to fit the appropriate science-based practices to individual students’ varied learning and language developmental needs. Students accepted into the program are placed in paid teacher assistant positions (M.A. students and Ph.D. students taking the M.A. core) or paid teacher positions (Ph.D. students who have completed at least 3 semesters of the M.A. core) in schools and classrooms that practice teaching as applied behavior analysis. The training of teachers is also based on scientifically tested procedures. Teacher trainees are taught until they master the science and its application with all children from 2 years through grade 6.

Research is a central component of the training—both the applications of research using science-based tactics and measurement, and the generation of new research. Ph.D. students engage in research throughout their program, building on their research training in the M.A. and culminating in a dissertation that identifies and investigates a topic related to our mission. Dissertations must make contributions to both applied, and basic science. The faculty and the students generate a substantial body of research leading to publications and presentations at international scientific conferences each year, and this is a key component of the Ph.D. training. Programmatic research is conducted in the following areas: effective classroom practices, language/verbal development interventions that result in children learning to learn in different ways, observational learning, and systems-wide scientific approaches to education.

Students who already hold M.A. degrees from other institutions must take the ten M.A. core courses, because the core prepares them with the means to be successful in completing milestone Ph.D. requirements. Ph.D. students also need to be dually certified in New York State for teaching children from birth to grade 2, and grades 1-6. The teaching placement is a critical part of the program, because it provides the opportunities to train M.A. students and to be involved in cutting-edge research. In that role Ph.D. students are critical instructors for the first- and second year M.A. students, an experience that prepares the doctoral candidate to teach and mentor graduate-level students. Our Ph.D. candidate teachers play a significant role in our record of providing measurably superior instruction and bridging the educational gap. 

Program objectives:

Use single-subject and group-design research to evaluate all aspects of an educational system, including educational interventions for children, staff and parent training, and teacher training.

Train and supervise classrooms and schools such that children are well-behaved and motivated to learn, using positive and non-coercive practices.

Master the existing science of learning as applied to the varied needs of children, master teaching others to implement the science of learning independently, and empirically evaluate the effects of such training.

Master protocols to identify and induce missing language developmental cusps and capabilities, and master teaching of others to implement these protocols and empirically evaluate the effects of protocols and a child’s development.

Master how to use key educational standards and how to match existing tested curricula and tested teaching practices to categories of students and individual students, and master how to teach others to implement these competencies and empirically evaluate the effects of such training.

Teach others how to measure all students’ progress continuously and directly in achieving standards and new developmental stages and empirically evaluate such training.

Empirically evaluate teaching practices when initial best practices are not successful with children.

Teach others to scientifically analyze the source of student learning problems and empirically evaluate such training.

Draw on evidence from behavior analysis, cognitive learning, developmental research, special education research, reading/writing literacy research and implement procedures in accordance with Applied Behavior Analysis and teaching as a science.

Teach others to teach children to be self-learners and empirically evaluate such interventions.

Design functional curricula building on the theory and science of verbal behavior, radical behaviorism, and the foundations of pragmatism. Teach others to design functional curricula and empirically examine the effectiveness of functional curricula.

Department Courses Required for All Student Majors in Degree Program Core Requirements for all Ph.D. Majors in the Applied Sciences of Learning and Special Education Cluster

HBSE 5010 Study of the philosophic foundations of special education

HBSE 6001 Research in special education: Research/experimental design

HBSE 6010 Advanced study of problems and issues in special education

HBSE 603105 Research in special education: Single-case design

HBSE 7500 Dissertation seminar in special education

HBSE 8900-8910 Dissertation advisement in special education

Non-Department Courses Required for All Student Majors in Degree Program

HUDM 4122 Probability and statistical inference

HUDM 5122 Applied regression analysis

Specialization Requirements, Applied Behavior Analysis:

HBSE 5304 Advanced practica in special education: Behavioral disorders

HBSE 6404 Advanced internship: Behavior disorders

HBSE 5904 Problems in special education: Behavioral disorders (supervision) HBSE 6008 Behaviorism

HBSE 6015 The verbal behavior model: Individual educational programming

HBSE 6504 Advanced seminar in special education: Applied behavior analysis and behavioral disorders

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Program Director : Daniel Fienup, [email protected] Jessica Dudek, [email protected]

Teachers College, Columbia University 528 West 121st St., 5th Floor

Contact Person: Erica Schenk

Phone: (212) 678-3880 Fax: (212) 678-8259

Email: es3747@tc.columbia.edu

University of South Florida

Applied Behavior Analysis

Child & Family Studies

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( Photo: USF ABA PhD students 2023 )

USF is seeking applications for its Doctoral program in Applied Behavior Analysis. View Flyer .

Application Deadline

Dec. December

Visit the USF Graduate Admission Application Page

Apply Now! 

The emphasis of the ABA doctoral program at USF is on the development of behavior analysts who are teachers and researchers. Students graduating from the program will receive training through coursework, mentoring in teaching, and research activities with community partners.

Why choose USF?

While working on your doctoral degree at the University of South Florida, located in the vibrant and beautiful Tampa Bay area, you have the opportunity to:

• Explore behavior analysis at a new level.
• Work with a dedicated and dynamic faculty along with a cohort of diverse and talented students from all over the United States and beyond.
• Get involved in research and gain both breadth and depth in your chosen profession.
• Complete a carefully designed series of courses with your cohort and have mentored and independent experiences teaching your own classes to undergraduate students.
• Work closely with your primary faculty mentor on your dissertation, all the way from its design to presenting it at conferences and submitting it for publication. You will also work with a secondary faculty mentor, with whom you will learn additional skills.
• Receive a generous doctoral compensation package with tuition coverage, salary, and health care coverage.

What happens after you graduate?

Once you graduate, you will be ready to assume a position as a faculty member or as clinical director of a behavior analytic agency. You will have the repertoire to not only succeed, but to excel. You will be ready to pass on what you have learned to the next generation of researchers, teachers and clinicians; and you will always be a part of the USF ABA family.

Who will be your faculty?

You will develop relationships with the faculty members for your coursework as well as your primary and secondary mentors. The faculty at USF has a diverse range of research interests and experiences and you will select mentors who can get you the expertise you need to reach your goals. You will attend lab meetings with your mentors where you will learn by witnessing and participating in the research conducted by your faculty member and more senior students. You will have exciting discussions about your own research and present your own data for review. You will have guided experiences with the goal of building your research competency and that will leave you ready to develop your own research lab.

You will complete a series of courses designed to meet ABAI accreditation requirements, but more than that, these courses will provide you with a firm foundation in behavior analysis theory and practice as well as challenge you with basic behavior analysis perspectives that are relevant for applied behavior analysts. You will have the opportunity to explore other related fields, such as gerontology or positive behavior intervention and supports as they related to your interests.

Research Experiences

You will join a lab or labs with other students and faculty interested in the same areas as you and will gain experience working first on other students' and faculty members' projects and then on your own. You will complete literature reviews in two different areas of research. One of these may be the foundation for your dissertation. You will complete a dissertation with supervision and support from your primary faculty mentor. The dissertation will consist of original research that you propose, defend before your committee, and conduct. You will present research at state (e.g. the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis) and national (e.g. Association for Behavior Analysis International) meetings and work with your faculty mentors on publishing your work. When you graduate, you will have a curriculum vitae that reflects your research accomplishments at USF. Please click here to view some recently published research by USF faculty and students .

Teaching Experiences

You will have mentored and independent teaching experiences, both in class and online. First you will serve as a teaching assistant for a faculty member as he or she teaches a course and over the course of a semester, you will gain more and more independence. The next two semesters you will have the opportunity to teach that course on your own under supervision. You will also have additional online teaching opportunities.  Not only will these opportunities provide you with support, but they will prepare you for your future faculty position and show that you can teach others about behavior analysis, either in class or using distance-learning technology.

Is this Program for You?

Do you have a passion for behavior analysis and you have a strong foundation in the field through your Master's program but you want more?

Would you like the training you need in research and teaching to obtain a position a university department as a faculty member?

Are you ready to earn a doctorate degree and enter the next phase of your career?

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• Teacher Education

Applied Behaviour Analysis (PhD)

Faculty of Social Sciences PhD

The PhD in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) will acquaint students with diverse applications of the science of   behaviour, ensure e ngagement with advanced behaviour analytic topics through many experiential and theoretical learning initiatives,   and train students to perform independent research . The program conducts cutting-edge interdisciplinary   research and trains students as scien tist- practitioners. 

Entry point:

• 12 terms (4 years)

Application deadline:

Applications submitted after the deadline may be looked at on a first-come, first-served basis. International applicants interested in applying after the posted application deadline should contact the program for details on availability.

General program inquiries Graduate program director Rosemary Condillac (Acting) Graduate program coordinator  Rachel Vander Doelen

Apply now Graduate Studies at Brock

Tuition and financial information

Faculty of Social Sciences

Admission requirements

• Check the  university requirements  and the  program requirements .
• Complete the  online application  and submit the non-refundable application fee.
• Three academic references (must provide an academic email)
• CV (using the ADS format). Please use the following  template for the CV .
• Why the PhD in ABA at Brock University is the best place for you to pursue your academic and scholarly interests/your short-term and long-term career goals
• How your past experiences and education have prepared you for success in our rigorous graduate training program 
• State your specific research interests and explicitly state any work you've done in this area
• Provide the names of up to three faculty members with whom you would like to work and briefly provide your rationale for selecting each of them. If more than one name is provided, please present these in order of preference.  
• Connect your area of interest to work being done by the faculty with whom you are interested in working (when applicable, state specific faculty members and projects by name)

Career outcomes

• University/College Professor
• Program Director
• Research Scientist
• Community Researcher
• Director of Research
• Chief of Practice (ABA)
• Clinical Supervisor
• Policy Analyst
• Program Evaluator
• Data Manager
• Grant Writer
• Data Analyst
• Organizational Behaviour Consultant
• Program Evaluators
• Positions in social service agencies supporting people with and without disabilities
• Public Policy/Administration

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Applied Behavior Analysis PhD Programs

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in applied behavior analysis is a research-based program designed to produce researchers, scientists-practitioners, and university faculty in applied behavior analysis (ABA).

Doctorate-prepared applied behavior analysts work in business and industry, education, and public policy, while some continue to work as practitioners of applied behavior analysis.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Applied Behavior Analysis

A doctorate in applied behavior analysis provides advanced-level education and training in the discovery, translation, and application of newly acquired knowledge in behavior analysis, aimed at solving socially significant problems of human behavior through applied interventions.

Many programs provide the opportunity to:

• Conduct clinical and research training alongside experts in the field of applied behavior analysis
• Specialize in areas such as autism, community outreach, or severe behavior disorders
• Engage in teaching experiences

The Association for Behavior Analysts International (ABAI) accredits doctoral degree programs in applied behavior analysis.

PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis programs consist of about 60 semester hours of coursework, research, and dissertation credits and take about three years to complete.

Many programs are offered either through an online format or as blended campus/online format, allowing busy professionals and those not residing near a campus-based program the opportunity to complete the program through an interactive, web-based format.

Admission Requirements

Admission into a PhD in Behavior Analysis is highly selective and competitive. Most programs demand, at a minimum, a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis, psychology, or special education, along with a minimum GPA (usually 3.5 or above) in your master’s degree coursework.

Other requirements for admission often include:

• Current BCBA® certification from the Behavior Analysis Certification Board
• A writing sample – Usually your master’s thesis or research-based paper from a graduate course
• A personal statement or essay describing your reasons for pursuing a PhD in ABA
• Personal interview
• Letters of recommendation who can attest to your ability to complete a doctoral program successfully
• Minimum GRE scores
• Resume/curriculum vitae describing your post-master’s/BCBA® professional experience

A PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis requires students to display proficiency in three areas:

• Practicum and research
• Dissertation research

Curriculum Requirements

The core curriculum of a PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis focuses on:

• Advanced principles and procedures of basic and applied behavior analysis practice and research
• Applying behavior analysis and behavioral support in complex environments
• Supervising and training others in behavior analysis
• The conceptual and theoretical foundations in advanced topics in behavior analysis
• The development and completion of independent research in behavior analysis

Core coursework includes:

• Analysis and Intervention in Developmental Disabilities
• History of Behavior Analysis
• Verbal Behavior
• Behaviorism and the Philosophy of Science
• Research methods in ABA
• Experimental Design and Analysis
• Professional and Ethical Issues in ABA

Most programs require students to complete all core and elective requirements before they can attain the status of doctoral candidate and receive approval to proceed with the programs’ research and practical experience requirements.

Practicum and Research Requirements

The research and practical experience requirements of a PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis may include a college teaching practicum, a research tool presentation, a research presentation, and a doctoral dissertation.

Before submitting a dissertation proposal, most students are required to complete a research project in applied behavior analysis under supervision of their doctoral advisor. Students are generally required to publish their research paper or present it at a professional conference.

Independent work and internships at local partner sites are often part of a doctoral program in ABA. Clinical experiences allow students to partake in research, teaching, and clinical practice experiences.

Dissertation Requirements

The third year of a doctoral degree in applied behavior analysis will be spent working on your doctoral dissertation. Under the direction of a faculty mentor, you must develop an empirical thesis/project and defend it in an oral examination.

Doctoral Degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis Leading to the BCBA®-D Certification

The doctoral designation (-D) for the BCBA® certification allows BCBA®s to demonstrate they have successfully completed a doctoral program in applied behavior analysis.

To qualify for the BCBA®-D designation , you must hold a current BCBA® certification and meet ONE of the following requirements:

• Complete a doctoral program accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysts International (ABAI)
• Passed at least four behavior-analytic courses as part of your doctoral program; OR
• Were formally advised by a faculty member who held the BCBA® designation; OR
• Authored two peer-reviewed journal articles that were behavior-analytic in nature
• Have at least 1,800 hours of experience in ABA during a postdoctoral fellowship or postdoctoral employment experience that included ongoing education in ABA under the supervision of a BCBA®
• Authored two peer-reviewed journal articles that were behavior-analytic in nature and were completed as part of your training experience

Ready to take the next step in your education journey? Find an online aba doctoral program .

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• Mental Health Resources for Applied Behavior Analysts
• The AppliedBehaviorAnalysisEDU Scholarship is Now Closed
• What is Applied Behavior Analysis?
• Graduate Program Overview
• Master’s in ABA – Who is it Right for?
• ABA Master’s Thesis
• Doctorate in ABA – Who is it Right for?
• Bachelor’s in ABA – Who is it Right for?
• Degrees in Education with a Focus in ABA
• Degrees in Psychology with a Focus in ABA
• Graduate Programs with Approved Course Sequence
• Undergraduate Programs with Verified Course Sequence
• Practicum and Fieldwork
• FAQ’s
• Top Lists and Helpful Tips
• 20 Best Schools Offering ABA Master’s Programs 
• 23 Best Master’s in Psychology Programs with ABA Emphasis
• 32 Best Master’s in Education Programs with an ABA Emphasis
• 35 Top ABA Graduate Programs (Master’s and Doctorate)
• 57 Best Schools for ABA Assistants (BCaBA)
• 62 Best Schools with Online ABA Master’s and Certificate Programs
• ABA Scholarships
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PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis

The ABAI-accredited PhD program in applied behavior analysis at UNMC's Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) provides students with training experiences that integrate research and clinical practice. Through coursework, specialized practica and research, students develop a strong conceptual background in behavior analysis and its application within human services. Graduates are well-positioned for leadership roles in academic, clinical and research arenas. 

Program Information

To be eligible to apply for the program, students must have completed a master’s degree and qualify to be credentialed as a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA).

The three-year program features:

• view research publications generated from ABA PhD program doctoral students
• principles and concepts introduced in the classroom that are immediately applied in clinical and research practica
• a stipend of $27,000 per year, free health care benefits and a full-tuition waiver for up to 12 credits per semester
• financial support for travel, meals and accommodations for local and national behavior analysis conferences (subject to budgetary constraints)
• supervised training in grant writing with the opportunity to prepare and submit a grant
• opportunities to specialize in autism, behavioral pediatrics, community outreach, feeding disorders, or severe behavior disorders

Program Faculty

This program is directed by Nicole M. Rodriguez, PhD, BCBA-D and other UNMC faculty members associated with Applied Behavior Analysis.

• Regina Carroll , PhD, BCBA-D – iCASD, Autism Care for Toddlers Clinic
• Tara Fahmie , PhD, BCBA-D – Severe Behavior Department
• Mary Halbur , PhD, BCBA-D – iCASD, Autism Care for Toddlers Clinic
• Bethany Hansen , PhD, BCBA-D – Pediatric Feeding Disorders
• Cynthia Livingston , PhD, BCBA-D – Severe Behavior Department
• Catalina N. Rey , PhD, BCBA-D – iCASD, Early Intervention Program
• Nicole M. Rodriguez , PhD, BCBA-D – iCASD, Early Intervention Program | Director of ABA PhD Program
• Alice Shillingsburg , PhD, BCBA-D – iCASD Director
• Amanda Zangrillo , PsyD, BCBA-D – Severe Behavior Department

ABAI Accredited Program

The Doctoral degree program in applied behavior analysis is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board.

Learn more about graduation, enrollment, retention, admission information data, etc.

ABAI Program Accreditation Reports

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Graduation Requirements

Graduation is the official completion of your program and the conferral of your academic degree. Graduation requirements for the M.S. degree in ABA follow those outlined in the SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Student Handbook and are as follows.

To graduate, students must meet all School and program requirements established in the bulletin and other School or program publications.  Where applicable, students must also meet specific academic requirements specified by the program.  The maximum time frame for program completion is five years.

Candidates for graduation must:

• Complete all academic degree requirements for admission to the respective program.
• Complete the program of study for the M.S. degree, including satisfactory completion of all required courses (including resolving all “I” or “IP” grades no later than the official date of graduation).
• Meet all attendance, course, credit, and other stated requirements of the program and School.
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for the M.S. degree
• Satisfy practicum course requirements.
• Satisfy thesis/capstone course requirements.
• Complete a mandatory financial aid exit interview if the student has received financial aid at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.
• Complete a Graduation Requirements Checklist during the spring semester registration before Commencement or the semester before your expected last semester of attendance.
• Have no disciplinary charges in progress or pending.

Note : The student is responsible for registering for and satisfactorily completing all required coursework. It is highly recommended that each student review their Degree Works Audit, accessible via https://www.downstate.edu/for-students/index.html, prior to their last semester before graduation to review their program of study and verify that all degree requirements will be met.