Counseling Psychology Department

M.A. in Counseling-ABA

Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis

Eastern University offers training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that degree students may pursue as a concentration for the 60-credit Master of Arts in (Clinical) Counseling program or non-degree students may pursue to advance their professional credentials. The concentration is comprised of five ABA theory and practice courses and one ethics course.

The mission of the Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration is to train masters level graduates who are 1) competent in the use of behavioral and scientific based assessment, intervention/prevention strategies, and effective consultation for the promotion of learning socially appropriate behaviors in both school and community settings, and 2) academically prepared to seek national certification as Board Certified Behavior Analyst and state credentialing as a Licensed Behavior Specialist.

The Applied Behavior Analysis curriculum is designed to meet the educational requirements of Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and the Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS) in the state of Pennsylvania. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® has approved the curriculum as meeting the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Examination®. Applicants will have to meet additional requirements to qualify for the exam, but they will not need to provide coursework documentation because Counseling Psychology's course sequence is pre-approved by the Board. Students who completed the concentration are encouraged to apply to become a BCBA and LBS once they obtain their supervised clinical hours in the field. Dr. Walter Chung, professor of Counseling Psychology, has a BCBA-Doctoral level credential and substantial educational and clinical experience in ABA. He teaches many of the courses and is Coordinator of the concentration.

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