MS in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
The master of science in educational psychology with a concentration in applied behavior analysis prepares master's-level clinicians with the education and training to sit for the examination to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA). The program's goals are:
- to provide a consistent and coherent program of study in educational psychology founded on specific conceptual frameworks (outlined below),
- to teach and demonstrate best practices in behavior analysis in all program courses and activities, and
- to prepare students for the practice of behavior analysis in Maine and elsewhere.
The MSEPABA objectives pull together the mission and goals by providing courses and practical strategies for implementing best practices in behavior analysis by using empirically validated assessment, intervention, and consultation methods.
The M.S. in educational psychology program prepares students to meet competencies set forth by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Upon completion of the program, graduates have earned the academic requirements in the preparation for the practice of behavior analysis. The program is designed to meet the academic requirements necessary for the following credentials: Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
Based on the models and professional standards found in the program philosophy, students in the M.S. program receive training in the following areas: assessment: functional behavior assessment (e.g., indirect, direct, and analogue), clinical interviews; interventions, consultation, positive behavioral supports; social foundations training, applied research and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, and single case experimental design.
In addition to the academic requirements, BACB requires a 1,500-hour supervised work experience; this work experience must occur in a behavior analytic environment under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. The supervised work is intended to provide students or graduates with experience utilizing the knowledge and skills gained during and concurrent with coursework. The supervised work is conducted under the direct supervision of a BCBA and may or may not involve direct supervision by University faculty. The supervised work experience is arranged by the student independent of the University or educational psychology program, by the student and may occur concurrent with or upon completion of the coursework.
Consistent with BACB Guidelines for Responsible Conduct For Behavior Analysts (August 2004), graduates of the program are encouraged to maintain a rigorous course of professional development throughout their careers and are bound to limit their practice to competencies and populations in which they are trained.
Graduates who are interested in further development in behavior analysis or as an educational or school psychology practitioner are encouraged to pursue doctoral training. Doctoral training typically prepares practitioners in advanced skills in school psychology practice (e.g., neuro-psychological assessment, behavioral assessment, counseling, applied behavior analysis, applied research, supervision) with specific populations (e.g., emotional disability, developmental disabilities, autism, learning disability).
Total: 33 credits
Psychological Foundations (12 credits)
SPY 671 Physical Bases of Behavior
SPY 673 Social Foundations of Behavior
SPY 674 Psychopathology
SPY 676 Behavioral Principles of Learning
Assessment (6 credits)
SPY 675 Indirect Behavioral Assessment
SPY 678 Functional Behavioral Assessment
Interventions (9 credits)
SPY 603 Consultation in School Psychology
SPY 628 Behavior Therapy
SPY 684 Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis
Research (6 credits)
EDU 600 Research Methods and Techniques (Must be taken within first year)
SPY 659 Clinical Research Methods
For course descriptions, please click here: http://usm.maine.edu/sehd
Minimum Requirements: Applicant must have a bachelor's degree and have earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in a baccalaureate degree program; Applicants who do not have a 2.5 overall GPA must enclose a letter asking for special consideration, in which they provide evidence of an ability to complete graduate studies successfully. Without such a letter, applicants who fail to meet eligibility requirements may be automatically denied. Applicants must hold a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited college or university. Exceptions to this policy will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are up to the discretion of the admitting program.
Successful candidates will be selected on the basis of overall quality of all required application components (GPA, test score, recommendations, and personal narrative).
Application Deadline
Rolling with priority deadlines for fall by May 1, spring by October 1, and summer by March 15.
- Candidates should submit all application materials to the USM Office of Graduate Admissions, P.O. Box 9300, Portland, ME 04104-9300 by the application deadline.
Application must include:
- A submitted online graduate admission application;
- The application fee of $65.00;
- Two sets of official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, including USM;
- Three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant's ability to study at the graduate level;
- Essay (see below);
- Certification of finances (international students only);
- Submission of test score (see below);
- Submission of official TOEFL or IELTS scores (if English is not first language); and
- Current resume.
Special Essay Question
In addition to the general admission requirements of the University, applicants to the Educational Psychology master's program must provide a narrative essay that answers this question:
"Why do you seek training in applied behavior analysis?"
This narrative is evaluated in terms of clarity of expression, grammatical construction, and other facets of English composition, as well as the quality of information given about the following: how the study of behavior analysis aligns with your professional goals and your understanding of and commitment to the field of applied behavior analysis.
Testing Requirements
Applicants to the education psychology program must take the MAT or GRE. One of the tests must be taken within five years of application. For those taking the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) you must have earned a score of 390 or above. For the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) you must have earned a score of 900 or above combined verbal and quantitative scores or equivalent for candidates who take the exam after September 1, 2011(this requirement is waived for applicants already holding a graduate degree, except for admission to the Psy.D. program) Please note: Starting August 1, 2011, the GRE® revised General Test will replace the current GRE General Test. You must have earned a score of at least 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 79 or higher on the Internet-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test, or an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher for students whose native language is not English.
Applicants who did not score 390 or equivalent, on the MAT or 900 combined on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE must enclose a letter asking for special consideration, in which they provide evidence of an ability to complete graduate studies successfully. Without such a letter, applicants who fail to meet eligibility requirements may be automatically denied.
Transfer Credit
Students admitted to the Master of Science in Educational Psychology program can request permission to transfer up to six graduate credits toward the M.S. in educational psychology. In order for credits to be eligible for transfer, they must meet the following criteria:
The credits must have been earned as part of a graduate course (e.g., 500 level or higher) offered at a U.S. institution of higher learning accredited at the time the credits were earned by a regional and/or national accrediting body and recognized as accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
The credits must have been earned for a course which is equivalent in content covered and skills developed to one required in the student's USM program of study.
The earned grade for the course must be a B or higher (GPA equivalent of 3.0).
The credits must have been earned within 3 years from the date when transfer credit is requested.
The credits must not have been applied to any previously earned degree.
For students seeking certification for BCBA, any applicable course(s) must be transferred from a program that is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
Transferred credits will be noted on the student's USM transcript and counted toward the student's degree or certificate program of study. To request transfer of credit(s), a student must submit the course syllabus and official transcript(s) showing the course grade(s) for the course(s) already taken to the school psychology program coordinator. The coordinator will refer the request to the program faculty with expertise in the content area to determine if the credit transfer is approved. Once approved, the program will notify the USM Registrar to enter the official transfer onto the student's record.
Course Waivers
Students who have extensive prior graduate-level training in areas covered in the school psychology program courses can request to waive up to five courses or fifteen credits of the required program of study. Waived courses are NOT transferred to the student's transcript. Students must replace waived courses with electives. Students are required to take enough electives to cover the number of credits or courses waived. In order for a course to be waived, the student must demonstrate the following:
The credits must have been earned as part of a graduate course (e.g., 500 level or higher) offered at a U.S. institution of higher learning accredited at the time the credits were earned by a regional and/or national accrediting body and recognized as accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
The credits must have been earned for a course which is equivalent in content covered and skills developed to one required in the student's USM program of study.
The earned grade for the course must be a B or higher (GPA equivalent of 3.0).
The student can demonstrate ongoing competency in the knowledge and skills covered in the course for which a waiver is requested. For example, a student who has a prior master's degree in counseling and who has practiced and maintained state licensure as a counselor could be eligible for a waiver of a required counseling course.
Requests for course waivers follow the same procedure as requests for credit transfer. To request a course waiver, a student must submit the course syllabus and official transcript(s) showing the course grade(s) for the course(s) already taken to the school psychology program coordinator. The coordinator will refer the request to the program faculty with expertise in the content area to determine if the request for waiver is approved. Once approved, the program coordinator will notify the student in writing and a copy of the waiver agreement will be placed in the student's file.
Note: Course waivers are not available for those courses that are required for certification in behavior analysis.
USM Social Dashboard »
Check out our new Social Dashboard to see other ways to stay connected across the USM community.