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Applied Behavior Analysis

MS in Applied Behavior Analysis

A collaboration between the UNO Department of Psychology and MMI Psychology Department at UNMC

Learn about clinical services and training at MMI. Read More

Applied Behavior Analysis Program Information
Program Mission Program Overview
Certificate Curriculum
ABA Handbook 2018-2019 Application Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions ABA Handbook 2019-2020
Questions? Dr. Mark Shriver Application Deadline: January 10th
ABA faculty
Brenda Bassingthwaite, Ph.D., BCBA Sara Kupzyk, Ph.D., BCBA
Regina Carroll, Ph.D., BCBA-D Billie Retzlaff, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LMHP
Bethany Hansen, Ph.D., BCBA-D Mark D. Shriver, Ph.D., BCBA-D
William Higgins, Ph.D., LMHP, BCBA-D Amanda Zangrillo, Psy.D, BCBA-D

Program Mission

The University of Nebraska Omaha and Munroe Meyer Institute Applied Behavior Analysis Program’s mission is to graduate students who have met high levels of academic excellence in clinical and research skills in applied behavior analysis and mental/behavioral health. The ABA Program trains students in a behavior analytic orientation to provide much needed services for children and adolescents, including those with behavioral and neurodevelopmental disabilities

Program Overview

The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Program prepares students to be behavioral health practitioners with advanced knowledge and skills related to the provision of behavioral therapy for children and adolescents. Students who graduate from the program will be eligible to sit for the examination (administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board) for certification as Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA). Students in the program complete 42-45 credit hours to earn a Master of Science Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. The ABA program typically takes two years of full time study to complete.

Coursework in the ABA program also addresses content areas required for licensure as a mental health practitioner in Nebraska. Upon completion of the program, students will have obtained necessary prerequisites for Provisional Licensure as a Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP) pending approval of the student's graduate transcript by the mental health licensure board of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. With an additional 3000 supervised experience hours after the completion of the ABA program and successful passing of the licensing exam students can be a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP) in the State of Nebraska. This licensure is required for the delivery of mental health services, including ABA, in Nebraska. Practitioners holding the BCBA and/or the LMHP may work in clinical mental health settings, inpatient and outpatient hospitals, and schools.

The ABA program is a collaborative program managed jointly through the UNO Psychology Department and the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) Psychology Department.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. https://www.abainternational.org/vcs/directory.aspx

Likewise, the university practicum experience (PSYC 9470/MMI 947) is verified with the Behavior Analysis Certification Board.

First time BCBA exam pass rate is over 90% since 2010.

Curriculum

Required Coursework

  • PSYC 8000: The Profession of Psychology (no credit)
    PSYC 9040/MMI 904: Proseminar: Learning (3 credits)
    PSYC 9230: Proseminar: Behavioral Neuroscience (3 credits)
    PSYC 9560: Proseminar: Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
    PSYC 8520: Foundations of Assessment (3 credits)
    PSYC 8550/MMI 850: Psychotherapeutic Interventions (3 credits)
    PSYC 8576/MMI 857: Behavior Analysis and Intervention (3 credits)
    PSYC 8700/MMI 870: Ethics and Law for Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
    PSYC 9570/MMI 957 Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
    PSYC 9100/MMI 910 Small n Research Designs (3 credits)
    PSYC 9130 Applications of Advanced Statistics in Psychology (3 credits)
    PSYC 9470/MMI 947 Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis (12 credits, 750-1500 hours)
    PSYC 9960 Research other than Thesis (optional, but strongly encouraged)

Total Credit Hours Required: 42