Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Program Learning Objectives

Students in the USC Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Program are admitted to a two-year program that consists of two years of didactic coursework combined with real-life practical experience. The mission of the MS in ABA program is to provide the highest-quality masters-level education in applied behavior analysis available anywhere in the world. Through effective student-centered mentoring, research and teaching, professionalization workshops, and collaborative support for conference participation and publishing, students in the program are trained to be scientist-practitioners who will lead in the next evolution of the discipline of applied behavior analysis. Graduates will be producers and consumers of applied research, expert clinicians, and will be highly competitive in the service-provider job market.

 Learning Objectives

• Disciplinary Knowledge: Students will demonstrate mastery in critically applying theories, methodologies, and knowledge to address fundamental questions in the field of applied behavior analysis, as evidenced by their academic performance in the programs curricular requirement (coursework).

• Practical Competence: Students will demonstrate a mastery of service delivery skills and knowledge as evidenced by passing their practicum courses, consisting of passing a comprehensive set of practical competencies.
• Professional Credentialing: Graduates of the program will be qualified to sit for the Behavior Analyst Certification Exam and will pass at high rates.
• Modes of Inquiry/Methodologies: Students will gain, practice and evaluate their skills in analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of applied behavior analytic treatment approaches, implemented in the real world, from the standpoint of the scientific principles that form the foundation of applied behavior analysis, as well as from the standpoint of established standards for best practices in the field.
• Research Competence: Students engage in and conduct original research, as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conventions.
• Written and Oral Communication: Students show proficiency in oral and written presentation of original scientific research, as evidenced by scientific publications and presentations, and by preparation of practical assessment and treatment plans throughout their didactic and practical coursework.
• Capstone/Thesis: Students will design, execute, and complete a capstone project or masters thesis. Capstone projects focus primarily on using scientific tools to evaluate applied treatments in real-life settings, whereas masters theses focus primarily on producing data that contribute to the scientific literature on applied behavior analysis.
• Professionalization: Students will gain and demonstrate scholarly communication skills adequate to publish in peer reviewed journals, as well as practical communication skills, adequate to communicate effectively with clients, families, third-party payers, and other community stakeholders. Students will develop the professional skills needed in their intended career placement as evidenced by their level of professionalism in the program.
• Diversity and Social Justice: Students will gain and demonstrate skills related to moving the field of applied behavior analysis toward a more socially just future. Students will learn how applied behavior analysis can take an anti-racist perspective and build critical core competencies around recognizing and working to reduce implicit and explicit bias, as well as taking overt action toward enhancing inclusion and equity. Student learning in the areas of diversity and social justice will be evidenced by their ability to examine their own and their colleagues beliefs and practices and create practical plans of action to improve both research and practice.