Accelerated Dual Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis

Location(s): Glassboro Campus

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Overview

The Accelerated Dual Degree program allows students to complete both a BA degree with a major in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis in five years. In this accelerated dual undergraduate/graduate degree program, the acceleration is achieved by substituting 12 credits of graduate coursework for 12 credits of undergraduate coursework (specifically, elective credits), thus reducing the total number of credit hours required for the two degrees individually. Further, the accelerated dual degree program avoids the duplication of content required in both undergraduate and graduate-level courses in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). In addition to earning an MA more quickly, students in this program will save on tuition by taking 12 credits of MA courses as a senior at undergraduate tuition rates.

Applied Behavior Analysis involves using well-established and empirically supported principles to assess and treat an array of behavioral concerns. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has been empirically shown to be effective in a wide variety of areas and has received the most recognition for developing effective and ethical behavioral services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and autism, including the treatment of severe behavior. The Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Act was signed into law in the State of New Jersey in 2020 and will require a professional license for individuals to practice ABA, providing critical protections for consumers and a foundation for workforce development initiatives that will ensure access to quality ABA services provided by trained and ethical professionals. The requirements to become a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in the State of New Jersey will include 1) a graduate degree from an accredited university and 2) current certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) or equivalent. The Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis fulfills the degree and coursework requirements for becoming a BCBA.

Our program meets the behavior-analytic coursework requirements for those pursuing the BCBA/BCaBA Pathway 2 eligibility route. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. For more information on becoming a BCBA®, see the BACB Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) standards at www.bacb.com.

Program Requirements

Undergraduate Program Requirements: 120 s.h.

As listed in the

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Please consult with your advisor to ensure you have taken all prerequisite courses for the Master’s courses (12 s.h. of graduate courses taken as an undergraduate student).

Accelerated Program Requirements

Required BA Courses taken as an Undergraduate ADD Student: 6 s.h.

PSY 02310 - Learning and Behavior Credits: 3 (required course for Psychology Majors)
PSY 02200 - Essential Skills for Behavior Technicians Credits: 3 (elective course for Psychology Majors)

Required MA Courses taken as an Undergraduate student: 12 s.h.

In their senior year, students finish their undergraduate requiremens while completing 12 hours of graduate coursework, including the following required courses:

PSY 02500 - Basic Principles of Behavior Credits: 3
PSY 02620 - Behavioral Assessment and Functional Analysis Credits: 3
PSY 02510 - Research Methods in Behavior Analysis Credits: 3
PSY 02610 - Applied Behavior Analysis Credits: 3

Required MA Courses taken as a Graduate student: 30 s.h.

The Remaining Courses for the Master’s degree are as shown in

Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis

Total Required Credits for the Program: 150 s.h.

Requirements for Admission:

Applicants to the Accelerated Dual Degree program will apply for admission to the graduate program during the second semester of their junior year of the undergraduate program (February 15 deadline). Students must have completed at least 75 hours of coursework before applying to the ADD program. Application requirements are as follows:

A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate coursework
Completion of PSY02310 Learning & Behaviorism (a required elective course in the Psychology major) with a final grade of B or better.
Enrollment and/or successful completion of the elective course PSY02200 Essential Skills for Behavior Technicians.
A complete online Rowan Global application, including a personal statement of objectives and two letters of recommendation.

Requirements for Graduation:

Students must successfully complete all courses (core and program-related) required for the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, specifically 120 Credit Hours (including 12 graduate credits) with a grade of C or better in undergraduate major courses and a B- or better in graduate-level (500 or 600 level) courses. Students must also have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in Rowan University coursework to graduate (Transfer credit/courses do not count toward the RU GPA). Students must also successfully meet all requirements, benchmarks, and graduation requirements for the MA in Applied Behavior Analysis as a Rowan Global Category I program including:

successful completion of 42 credit hours of required graduate courses in Applied Behavior Analysis with no more than two B- grades and no grade lower than B- in these courses,
successfully complete oral and written comprehensive exams,
meet the standards of professionalism of the discipline as evaluated every semester after beginning the graduate-level coursework. For the professionalism benchmark assessed each semester during graduate coursework, students must meet all the requirements of the profession in terms of professional demeanor, client interaction, and ethical behavior as determined by the faculty members and off-site clinical supervisors.

Upon completion of the requirements for the program, students will be awarded the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and the Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis simultaneously.

Student Status: To remain in good standing in the program, students must obtain a grade of B- or better in every graduate level course, with no more than 2 final course grades of B- and pass all established MA program benchmarks including passing written and oral comprehensive exams with a score of 70% or higher and meet the standards of professionalism of the discipline as evaluated every semester after beginning graduate level coursework.

Contingency for Students who do not complete the MA program: Students who enter the Accelerated Dual Degree; Undergraduate/Graduate Degree in Psychology & Applied Behavior Analysis but do not maintain satisfactory progress or choose not to continue pursuing the degree will be allowed to apply up to 12 credits of graduate coursework to the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree. If the student opts out before 12 credits have been completed, any remaining credits needed for the 120 credits required for the undergraduate degree will be selected through consultation between the student’s advisor, the program/department, and the student.