Guidelines for the Accreditation of Graduate Programs in Behavior Analysis
ABA International Accreditation of Master's-Level Programs
This section is for a terminal master's program or for the master's-level program of a doctoral program, whether or not the master's-level program is continuous with or a prerequisite for the doctoral training. The minimum standards for the accreditation of masters-level programs include a) an educational program with instruction in behavior-analytic approaches to the principles of behavior, within-subjects research methodology, conceptual issues, and behavioral interventions; and b) a thesis, review paper, or general examination that is based on a behavior-analytic approach to problems or issues. In reporting course data, please include the semester/quarter the courses were taught, credit hours, the instructor, the enrollment, and whether the course was required or an elective. Also, please include a syllabus for the last time each course was taught, with reading lists as appropriate.
ABA International Accredited programs interested in exhibiting at the ABA International convention will receive the discount available for organizations with 10 or fewer employees on the cost of a booth. Exhibiting at ABA provides a wonderful opportunity to network with ABA International members, recruit students for your program, and further increase a program’s visibility at the convention.
- List for the last 5 years the course(s) in principles of behavior.
- List for the last 5 years the course(s) in within-subjects research methodology emphasizing the direct observation of behavior.
- List for the last 5 years the course(s) in conceptual issues.
- List for the last 5 years the course(s) in behavioral interventions. Possible emphases include such topics as behavior therapy, behavioral teaching, behavioral programming for the developmentally disabled, applied behavior analysis, and behavioral medicine.
- List for the last 5 years the practica/internships related to this program. Data may be provided in narrative format describing how much training is involved, at what kind of sites, the nature of the supervision, etc.
- Do not count a course as satisfying more than one requirement in a given semester. Also, do not count independent research, independent study, or thesis research credits. If specific courses are not taught according to the requirements outlined above, provide a justification for how the unique style of the program is nevertheless consistent with accreditation requirements. If additional courses are required beyond the minima specified here, whether didactic, practica, or research, please list and indicate the contribution of these courses to the overall program. Also, please indicate what percent of the total credit hours for a degree are represented by the program in behavior analysis.
- Have available for inspection by a site visitor the last 10 theses, review papers, or general examinations (whichever is appropriate to program requirements) that are based on a behavior-analytic approach to problems or methods. Fill out the summary form regarding these theses/papers and return it with the rest of the information. Note that the theses/papers themselves do not need to be reproduced and mailed to the Accreditation Board, but only made available to the site visitor during the visit. However, the summary form should be filled out and returned with the other material.