Applied Behavior Analysis Masters Programs - which to choose?!

[ARemi4]

Hi all,

I have applied to 6 Applied Behavior Analysis, M.S. Programs (or M.Ed or Psych programs with ABA track), and am beginning to hear back from a few. 

I am wondering, how do I know which one to choose when the time comes?!

Does it look better to have a program with a degree solely in ABA, or does it not matter if it's just an ABA track? Is it better to have a broader degree such as Education or Psych, with an ABA track?

All of them have an approved course sequence, but does it make a big difference if they have an ABAI-BAAB Accreditation? 

 

Help!!!

[birdy-bear]

Hi @ARemi4! I've worked the past couple years as a BCBA in a clinic setting, and I'm about to start a PhD in Special Education under a BCBA-D. I can offer you my perspective, but I think the answers to your questions will depend on what you're looking for in a program and what you want to do after you graduate. Take my advice with that large grain of salt!

1. Your intended profession: If you intend to stay in academia as a researcher, doctoral student, or professor, I'd recommend choosing a strong program in your intended field, one that would provide you with research experience and that has professors whose interests align with yours. If you want to work as a school-based BCBA, I'd recommend considering Education programs that include teacher certifications; it's difficult to get a job as a school-based BCBA without classroom experience, and teachers will take you more seriously if you've spent time teaching (even if it's just student teaching). If you want to work as a BCBA in any setting (e.g., schools, clinic, home), I would strongly recommend considering non-ABA programs with an ABA track (e.g., Education or Psychology programs with coursework in child development). The coursework in most ABA programs does an excellent job teaching how to teach, but not necessarily what to teach. In my Master's program, the education-specific coursework (e.g., speech and language, curriculum development), in conjunction with the ABA coursework, trained me to be a much better provider than I would have been with the ABA coursework alone.

2. Pass rates: The BCBA pass rates for every program are posted on-line here. High pass rates are a pretty good indicator of a high quality program, and vice versa. 

3. On-campus vs. on-line programs: On-line programs are becoming increasingly popular, but if you can swing it, there are definite benefits to an on-campus program. Brick-and-mortar programs tend to: (a) have a higher pass rate for the BCBA exam than on-line programs, (b) provide clinical experiences across a variety of settings and/or populations, (c) offer opportunities for research experience (which I found to be invaluable in day-to-day work as a BCBA), and (d) have more/better funding. Plus, if you think you'll eventually want to pursue a Ph.D., your experiences and contacts in an on-campus program are likely going to give you an advantage over on-line programs.

4. Practicum/field experiences: For each of these programs, find out how you'll complete your 750-1500 hours of field experiences. Will the program provide you assigned fieldwork placements, or will you have to seek out your own placements? Will they assign you to one setting/population or a variety of settings/populations? Will you be completing supervised independent fieldwork (1500 hours), practicum (1000 hours), or intensive practicum (750 hours)? Will you have to pay for supervision, is supervision included in tuition, or will you get paid for your fieldwork experience? Do students tend to complete their hours in conjunction with the program, or begin accruing them after they graduate? Will you have opportunities in your placements to train on all components of a case, from intake to discharge? Depending on what you want to do after you graduate, the answers to these questions will help guide you to a good fit.

As long as your program has a verified course sequence through the BACB (i.e., can be found on this list here), you should be good to go. I honestly don't know what the ABAI accreditation is used for, but my Master's program is not on that list, and it's never been a problem. Hope this helps!

Edited January 23, 2018 by birdy-bear

[30Rocknerd]

I was a Vanderbilt Master's student in the Special Education department and in the ABA program. Specifically, I got my M.Ed. in Severe Disabilities (low-incidence SPED) and my BCBA. I would not recommend this to my worst enemy! I am a BCBA working with individuals with ASD and/or severe ID (intellectual disabilities). 

I deeply regret attending this institution - I do not feel that I had faculty support to assist me. NOTE: The early childhood and high incidence programs are unlike this, because there are more BCBA-Ds to support SPED + ABA students.

I am posting those so that others do not make the same mistake I did.