Notice: The Behavioral Clinical Psychology option is closed to new students.

In this two year program, students can obtain their M.A. Degree and complete the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) coursework requirements to practice as Board Certified Behavior Analysts. We emphasize philosophy, theory, science, conceptual framework and methodology that guide clinicians in the field of applied behavior analysis. Students of the Program will be taught how to conduct behavioral assessments and implement and monitor outcome-based interventions following ethical guidelines. The coursework incorporates practical training, with a focus on methodology and conceptual understanding of the science of applied behavior analysis. The breadth and scientific rigor of this Program also will provide students with the foundation necessary to pursue Doctoral training. This Program is offered in collaboration with Tseng College of Extended Learning and geared toward working students. (Note: Refer to www.bacb.com for standards and requirements to become eligible to sit for the Board Certification Exam.)

A. Procedures and Requirements for Admission:

Notice: The Behavioral Clinical Psychology option is closed to new students.

For Fall admission, the Department deadline for applications is: February 15

For applications, admission requirements and deadlines for the Behavioral Clinical Psychology Option, see the Program website (http://tsengcollege.csun.edu/masters.html).

In addition to University admission requirements, the Psychology Department requires:

1. Submission of a Psychology Department Graduate Program Application (available from the Psychology Graduate Office or www.csun.edu/psychology) to be submitted to the Psychology Graduate Office by the above deadlines;
2. Transcripts;
3. Letters of recommendation; and
4. GRE scores.

Early application, careful study of the Department of Psychology Graduate Handbook and of the University Catalog, and consultation with the graduate advisor of the Graduate Program Option of interest are strongly recommended.

B. Classified Admission and Conditionally Classified Admission:

Participation in any of the Graduate Programs offered by the Department of Psychology is limited to Classified and Conditionally Classified graduate students. Conditionally Classified admission, used sparingly by the Department, is for students who have met all requirements for admission to the Graduate Program except for completion of a course or examination. The Department specifies the conditions to be fulfilled before Classified standing is awarded. Normally, these conditions must be met within the first semester of graduate training. Applicants interested in the Behavioral Clinical Psychology Program are advised to review the admission requirements on the Tseng College website (http://tsengcollege.csun.edu/masters.html).

C. For Admission to Classified Graduate Status

1. Admission to any of the four Graduate Program Options, except as noted in the Department of Psychology Graduate Handbook, generally requires an Undergraduate Degree in Psychology. Applicants who do not have a Degree in Psychology are required to complete certain undergraduate courses prior to acceptance to Classified status. Those who do not have a Degree in Psychology should study the Graduate Handbook and consult with the appropriate Graduate Option Program Coordinator about these requirements.
2. A GPA of 3.0 is required except on approval by the Graduate Committee of the Program Option to which admission is sought. Enrollment is limited. It is not possible to admit all of the qualified students who apply.
3. Completion of the General Test and the Advanced Psychology Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required, with satisfactory scores as prescribed by the Graduate Committee of the Option in which Degree work is to be taken. In certain Options, persons with appropriate undergraduate preparation may request waiver of the requirement for the Advanced Psychology Test.
4. Personal interview, prior experience in applied work and satisfactory letters of recommendation are required by some programs. Consult the Department of Psychology Graduate Handbook for more information.
5. General University requirements also must be met. Carefully consult other sections of this catalog for details. These requirements include passing the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam (UDWPE) with a score of 8 or higher.

D. Program Requirements

Required Courses (37 units)

Board Required BCBA Eligibility Coursework (19 units)

PSY 551A Becoming a BCBA: Professional and Certification Issues (1)
PSY 552 Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
PSY 553 Measurement and Experimental Evaluation of Behavior (3)
PSY 555 Assessment in Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
PSY 557 Behavior Change Procedures and Systems Support (3)
PSY 558 Special Topics in Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
PSY 600 Ethical Practice with Individuals, Families and Multidisciplinary Teams (3)

Advanced Concepts, Methods and Practice (12 units)

PSY 525B Advanced Psychological Measurement (3)
PSY 629 Concepts and Clinical Application of Behavior Analysis (3)
PSY 692A Seminar in Research Methodology (3)
PSY 611 Developmental Psychopathology and ABA Interventions (3)

Culminating Experience (6 units)

PSY 696 Directed Graduate Research (3)
PSY 698D Graduate Culminating Project (3)

Optional Courses

XBEH 902 Practicum (1,000 hrs)

Students may enroll in a University-based practicum where they may complete behavior analytic experience hours required for the BCBA Examination. This experience may require supervision and participation in our on-campus or off-campus applied behavioral fieldwork placements.

Total Minimum Units Required for the M.A. Degree in Behavioral Clinical Psychology: 37