Behavior Analysis

We offer two graduate programs in behavior analysis:

General Program Characteristics

Primary Specialty Areas: developmental disabilities, basic operant research with humans and nonhumans, organizational behavior management / performance management, behavioral pharmacology, behavioral gerontology, behavioral medicine
Both programs operate using a mentorship model
Research facilities: nonhuman-behavior labs (including behavioral pharmacology), physiological research facilities, organizational behavior management labs, and child and adult studies labs
Students have practical opportunities in behavioral medicine, performance management, and out- and in-patient clinical and educational sites
Both programs have been accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis through 2008.
The core curriculum is pre-approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board.

A "terminal" master's-degree program
Combines behavior-analytic course work, practica, and research experience
Prepares students for doctoral programs and employment at the M.A. level in areas such as: developmental disabilities, business & industry, mental health, substance abuse, education, and government
Here is a link to an article describing the M.A. program in the Behavior Therapist

Incorporates all of the requirements of the M.A. program plus additional advanced behavior-analytic coursework, research, and practical training
Prepares students for three roles: teaching/research in a college or university setting, systems-oriented applied positions in the human services, and professional positions in industrial/organizational settings.
Students spend much of their time engaged in research with faculty members
Although the doctoral program is not APA accredited, students may improve their chances of obtaining future state licensure as a doctoral psychologist by taking APA-recommended coursework as part of their program of study and completing an APA-approved predoctoral internship for course credit (Psy 6950)

Students wishing to pursue this option should consult with their major professor about coursework and internship options
To apply for an internship, students must pass their comprehensive exam and successfully defend their dissertation prospectus by November 1 of the application year

Here is a link to an article describing both graduate program in The ABA Newsletter

Interesting Statistics

WMU was ranked 5 out of 53 institutions for # of publications in behavior analysis from 1992 to 2001 (Shabani et al., 2004).
WMU was ranked 29 out of 50 institutions for # of publications in applied behavior analysis and therapy from 1974 to 1994 (Hayes & Grundt, 1996).
WMU was ranked 39 out of 50 institutions for # of publications in the area of mental retardation from 1979 to 1999 (Logan, Lott, & Mayville, 2000).