Graduate Program Information
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Curriculum program plans shown reflect current degree requirements. Previous academic year requirements can be accessed from the catalog page by choosing the appropriate academic year.
Doctor of Philosophy in Behavior Analysis
| Major Code: | 9147 | Degree Awarded: | Doctor of Philosophy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Mode(s): | Location(s): | Main Campus - Melbourne | |
| Admission Status: | Graduate | Age Restriction: | No |
The mission of the behavior analysis doctoral degree program is to produce competent behavior-analytic researchers, instructors and practitioners who are solidly grounded in basic principles derived from the experimental analysis of behavior (EAB), who approach the world from a radical behaviorist perspective, who will continue to contribute to behavioral research and inform their practice with current research findings, and who are prepared to obtain academic and professional positions. Graduates are well-prepared to pursue academic positions, to continue active research programs and to effectively manage behavior analysts under their supervision, both in research and practice.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the program must have completed, or be close to completing, a master’s degree in behavior analysis or a master’s degree in a related field with an emphasis in behavior analysis, and / or be a board certified behavior analyst, with a graduate GPA of 3.6 (on a scale of 4.0) or higher, and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
Applicants must submit a statement of career objectives, a résumé and the School of Psychology supplemental form available from that office. The application must include three letters of reference and a GRE General Test score of 1100 or higher (based on a combined verbal and quantitative score, where neither score is below 500). Official transcripts of all previous coursework must be submitted. All applications should be submitted by January 15.
A master’s degree in behavior analysis and / or board certification, graduate GPA, and GRE scores will be used as initial acceptance criteria. Admission is considered provisional until certification as a board-certified behavior analyst is obtained. The admissions committee will then review the applicant’s potential for scholarship and leadership in behavior analysis by evaluating supplemental materials including clinical and research experience, the application package and participation in applicant interviews.
Degree Requirements
The doctoral program requires a minimum of 83 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, of which at least 42 semester credit hours must be completed at Florida Tech with no grades lower than B. Students must demonstrate competency in research, teaching, supervision and consultation, and pass a comprehensive examination, before being admitted to candidacy. Candidates must present a completed dissertation manuscript and successfully defend the results to the dissertation committee.
If a doctoral student has completed a master’s degree but is not a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA®) or does not meet the supervision requirements to sit for the BCBA examination, the student may be required to take up to 12 credit hours of Intensive Practical Training in Applied Behavior Analysis (BEH 5250).
In addition, students must complete at least 15 semester credit hours of graded coursework in program courses, six credits of supervised research and at least 18 credits of dissertation. Students with a master’s degree from another institution may be required to complete additional coursework if an equivalent course was not completed.
Admission to candidacy requires the successful completion of the following components.
- A minimum of 18 semester credit hours beyond the master’s degree.
- Certification as a board-certified behavior analyst.
- Approval of either of the following by a committee that is identical to the dissertation committee:
- A literature review paper that is deemed acceptable for submission for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Submission is required for admission to candidacy.
- Completion of a grant application that is deemed by the committee to be acceptable for submission to a granting agency.
Curriculum
(Includes master's degree requirements)
| Behavior Analysis Core (16 credit hours) | CREDITS | |
| BEH 5100 | Concepts, Principles and Characteristics of Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| BEH 5101 | Behavioral and Functional Assessment | 3 |
| BEH 5102 | Experimental Evaluation of Interventions | 3 |
| BEH 5103 | Behavior Change Procedures and Systems Support | 3 |
| BEH 5104 | Ethical and Legal Considerations for Behavior Analysts | 1 |
| BEH 5105 | Radical Behaviorism | 3 |
| Behavior Analysis Program Courses (13 credit hours) | CREDITS | |
| BEH 5201 | Ethical and Professional Standards in ABA | 1 |
| BEH 5400 | Introduction to Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
| BEH 5401 | Advanced Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
| BEH 6301 | Applications of Behavior Analysis to College Instruction | 3 |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Psychology Courses (12 credit hours) | CREDITS | |
| PSY 5101 | Statistical Research Methods 1 | 3 |
| PSY 5102 | Statistical Research Methods 2 | 3 |
| PSY 5105 | Biological Foundations of Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 5511 | Clinical Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| Practical Training (12 credit hours) | CREDITS | |
| BEH 5250 | Intensive Practical Training in Applied Bheavior Analysis (or certification as board-certified behavior analyst) | 4 |
| Research (30 credit hours) | CREDITS | |
| BEH 5999 | Thesis | 6 |
| BEH 6800 | Supervised Research | 6 |
| BEH 6999 | Dissertation in Behavior Analysis | 18 |
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED 83
Typical Program Plan
(Beyond master's degree in ABA)
Year 1
| FALL | CREDITS | |
| BEH 5401 | Advanced Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
| BEH 6800 | Supervised Research | 3 |
| PSY 5101 | Statistical Research Methods 1 | 3 |
| 9 | ||
| SPRING | CREDITS | |
| BEH 6800 | Supervised Research | 3 |
| PSY 5102 | Statistical Research Methods 2 | 3 |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| 9 | ||
| SUMMER | CREDITS | |
| BEH 6999 | Dissertation in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| 3 | ||
Year 2
| FALL | CREDITS | |
| BEH 6301 | Applications of Behavior Analysis to College Instruction | 3 |
| BEH 6999 | Dissertation in Behavior Analysis | 6 |
| 9 | ||
| SPRING | CREDITS | |
| BEH 6999 | Dissertation in Behavior Analysis | 6 |
| 6 | ||
| SUMMER | CREDITS | |
| BEH 6999 | Dissertation in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| 3 | ||
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED 39