Student trainees in the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) concentration receive opportunities to participate in supervised experiential learning to develop essential profession-wide competencies and program-specific specialties in the field.
Beginning in first semester of year two, and extending through a minimum of four semesters, students integrate their academic and scientific knowledge with supervised experiential learning through a series of practicum training and directed individual study courses.
Supervised experiential learning is sequential, cumulative, and graded in complexity. It provides opportunities for students to achieve and demonstrate profession-wide competencies, as well as program-specific specialties in applied behavior analysis.
In their second year, all students take practicum (PSY 593) across two semesters for 6 credit hours.
In their third and fourth years, student have the opportunity to customize their experience according to their skills and career goals for a minimum of six additional credit hours. Students may continue in applied practicum experiences (PSY 693 or PSY 793), and/or complete a research directed individual study under the guidance of a behavior analysis faculty member outside of their primary lab (PSY 691).
The profession-wide competencies that students must demonstrate in practicum (in accordance with their level of training) include:
Practicum placements are made by the practicum and internship coordinator in consultation with the students and members of the core faculty. Student trainees receive individual practicum evaluations by on-site supervisors (department faculty or appropriately trained and credentialed community supervisors). Practicum grades are assigned by department faculty supervisors in consultation with community supervisors, as appropriate.