Mission
The Behavior Analysis (BA) graduate programs provide intense training in the conceptual, basic, and applied foundations of behavior analysis. In addition to giving students substantial training in a core specialty area (e.g., autism and developmental disabilities, health or safety, behavioral pharmacology, experimental analysis of behavior, or behavioral neuroscience), the program exposes students to a broad range of applied and experimental areas through coursework, research, and applied experiences.
Fast facts
Formats: In-person
Credits required: Bachelor's degree with 18 semester hours in psychology
Minimum GPA: 3.0
GRE: Recommended, but not required for MA & PhD programs
Application deadlines:
- MA - Jan. 1
- Ph.D. - Dec. 1
Program overview
- The B.A. curriculum consists of a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) approved by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and thereby provides students with the necessary coursework and practicum experiences to seek certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Data on for the program is published regularly.
- The M.A. and Ph.D. programs in behavior analysis are by the . are submitted yearly to provide statistical data and other information about the institution, program, faculty and students.
- Primary specialty areas include: Autism, developmental disabilities, basic operant research with humans and non-humans, behavioral pharmacology, behavioral neuroscience, behavioral gerontology, safety, and behavioral medicine.
- Research facilities: non-human behavior labs (including behavioral pharmacology), child and adult studies labs, physiological research facilities, simulation labs, and organizational behavior management labs.
- Students have practical opportunities in Autism, behavioral medicine, performance management and out-patient and in-patient clinical and educational sites.
- Both programs operate according to a mentorship model whereby students work closely with faculty members throughout their graduate training. Students should identify several faculty members they would like to work with before applying. Admitted students will be matched with mentors based on mutual interests and availability.
- More details regarding the program area and requirements can be found in the handbook.
Faculty
- Meet the behavior analysis faculty
Financial support
Opportunities are available for graduate assistantships and fellowships both within the department and the University. Students are encouraged to discuss these opportunities with their faculty advisor and apply for fellowships with the Graduate College (Thurgood Marshall Award or King/Chavez/Parks Fellowship for underrepresented groups). While financial support is available, funding is not guaranteed. To learn more on the cost of attending graduate school, see Financial Information.
Application information
Frequently asked questions
What undergraduate qualifications are required to enter the BA MA program?
- Preferred qualifications include 18 semester hours in psychology or a related area.
- If students do not have 18 semester hours in psychology or a related area, the program recommends the completion of PSY 1000 (Introduction to Psychology), PSY 1400, (Introduction to Behavior Analysis), PSY 2517 (Autism and Developmental Disabilities), PSY 3300 (Research Methods), PSY 3600 (Advanced Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis), and PSY 4600 (Survey of Behavior Analysis Research) at WMU.
Does the behavior analysis program provide BACB supervision/practicum opportunities to individuals other than students in the program?
- While the program does offer practicum coursework to individuals who are enrolled as current students, there are currently no parameters in place to accept individuals from other course sequences or programs into these fieldwork experiences. We strive to make sure our practicum experience is tied closely to our coursework and we are able to ensure ongoing success in both courses and practicum for our students on an ongoing basis with our current structure.
- We would suggest students reaching out to their current graduate program for information about practicum opportunities. Another helpful resource to find supervisors willing and able to provide supervision to aspiring BCBAs can be found on the BACB鈥檚 registry.
I completed my master鈥檚 degree through a different university and am interested in obtaining my Ph.D. at WMU. Will my credits transfer towards the doctorate degree?
- Any classes that students wish to transfer into the Ph.D. program from their MA degree program, would be considered for acceptance after being admitted to the program. The course syllabus from each course is reviewed by the academic mentor, the instructor of the course, and then the program director for behavior analysis. This is generally a pretty easy process for students but does require some careful planning and discussions with the academic mentor in order to plan accordingly. Some of the discussion could take place prior to the point of admission with the academic mentor the student is seeking to work with, but the formal process for this is not initiated until after the student is offered admission, accepts the offer, and starts their Ph.D. program.
