Location:

Springfield, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Master

Specialty:

Human Development

Program Overview

Program Description:

Applied Behavior Analysis is the preferred method for assessment and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), which include autism, Asperger's syndrom and other unspecified pervasive developmental disorders. The prevalence of ASDs in the U.S. is estimated at 1 in 110 children, and relatively few people become Board Certified Behavior Analysts each year. This means mental health professionals trained in ABA are in very high demand nationally. Graduates of Forest's programs in ABA are eligible to take the exam to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts, which is recognized nationwide. With ABA certification, graduates will fulfill a variety of needs, including: Building the skills and achievements of children in school settings; Enhancing the development, abilities and choices of children and adults with different kinds of disabilities; Augmenting the performance and satisfaction of employees in organizations and businesses. Requirements for the MSABA Program The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (MSABA) program can fit into almost any schedule and is designed for both working professionals and full-time students. Students should work closely with their advisor and the program director to be sure the degree meets their career goals and licensing requirements for the state in which they wish to practice. Locations offered: Springfield and St. Louis, Missouri Before completion and submission of the application, please read the following requirements thoroughly. Contact the Forest Admissions Office at 800-424-7793 or admissions@forest.edu if you have questions. Prospective students need a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and must have earned a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or better on a 4.0 scale during the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. Applicants without the required GPA are considered on a highly selective basis and are invited to address this issue in their personal essay. If the applicant is extended an invitation to interview, this issue will be discussed in detail. Applicants to the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program need the equivalent of at least twelve (12) semester hours in the social sciences with a grade of "B” or better in both a three (3) semester hour course in research design/methods and a three (3) semester hour course in human development. The application packet consists of a completed application form and a non-refundable application fee of $50, in addition to the following: Three Professional Recommendations College professors, supervisors, or others who have known the candidate for one year or longer and who have evaluated the candidate's personal, professional, and academic qualifications should be contacted to complete the Professional Recommendation Form. At least three professional recommendations are requiredt. Personal Essay Through the personal statement much is learned about the candidate, including his/her interests, goals, character and fitness for the Applied Behavior Analysis program at Forest. Personal statements should be no more than two pages and include professional goals and purposes for specifically pursuing this degree. The personal statement should reflect the applicant’s commitment to ABA as a research-based discipline. Please use 1-inch margins, double spacing and Courier New or Times New Roman 12 pt. font. The applicant may provide any additional information that would benefit the Admissions Committee in determining acceptance into the program. Current Resume/Vitae List other activities since high school, including military service, that are relevant to professional goals. Official Transcripts Official transcript of all graduate and undergraduate work are required, including part-time and summer sessions, and should be mailed directly from all institutions attended since secondary school. If college credits were earned while in secondary school, an official transcript is required of the college/university from which those credits were received. GRE/TOEFL Students making application to the program are required to complete and submit their scores for the Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical sections of the GRE. International applicants, who do not hold a United States undergraduate degree and whose native language is not English, are required to submit their TOEFL scores. Forest's code number for forwarding GRE and TOEFL results is 8525. For information about GRE test dates and requests for scores, write to the Educational Testing Services, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000. The phone number is (609) 771-7670.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

Forest Institute has been certified and approved by The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® to offer its curriculum within our Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (MSABA), our Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certificate program and our Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) Certificate program. This coursework shall meet the requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Examination®. Applicants will have to meet additional requirements to qualify.

Financial Aid:

Yes

Requirements:

Please visit http://forest.edu/ad-req-msaba.aspx.