Accelerated Degrees

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Accelerated Degrees

4+1 Accelerated Dual Degree Program in Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis

The 4+1 Accelerated Dual Degree Program (ADDP) allows highly motivated and qualified Rowan undergraduate students to complete a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology (B.A.) or Psychological Science (B.S.) and a Master's Degree (M.A.) in Applied Behavior Analysis in 5 years. 

The 4+1 is an accelerated dual undergraduate/graduate degree program designed to reduce the time and total credits required for eligibility to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®). Professionals certified at the BCBA level are independent practitioners who provide behavior-analytic services for individuals with high behavior support needs.

BCBAs design, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of individualized behavior supports in various settings, including homes, schools, specialized clinics, hospitals, and residential treatment facilities. BCBAs supervise and train teams that include Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts® (BCaBAs®), Registered Behavior Technicians® (RBTs®), and other professionals who implement these supports and interventions.

In this accelerated dual undergraduate/graduate degree program, the acceleration is achieved by substituting 12 credits of graduate coursework for 12 credits of undergraduate elective coursework during the senior undergraduate year, thus reducing the total number of credit hours required for the two degrees individually. In addition to earning a Master's Degree in ABA more quickly, students in this program will save tuition by taking 12 credits of M.A. courses as a senior at undergraduate tuition rates.

General Process

Program Eligibility

Accelerated Dual Degree Program applicants will apply for admission to the 4+1 program during the second semester of the junior year of their undergraduate psychology program (March 31 deadline).

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

    • Students must have completed at least 75 hours of undergraduate coursework before applying during the second semester of their junior year. 
      1. The student must be a Psychology (B.A.) or Psychological Science (B.S.) major enrolled at Rowan University.

      2. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in all undergraduate coursework.

      3. PSY02310 Learning & Behavior: successful completion of this course with a final grade of B or better.

      4. PSY02200 Essential Skills for Behavior Technicians: Enrollment OR successful completion of this course (next offered in Summer 2024 - students applying to the 4+1 in Spring 2024 should plan to enroll in this course in Summer 2024).

    • A complete application, including a personal statement of objectives, resume/CV, and two letters of recommendation. 
    • A successful interview with the ABA faculty (interviews are by invitation only after you have submitted your application). 

Admission into the 4+1 Accelerated Dual Degree Program program is competitive. 

Fieldwork experience in applied behavior analysis (ABA) is strongly recommended. We encourage students interested in the 4+1 to gain fieldwork experience working under the direction of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) before applying to the 4+1 program.
Application & Enrollment Process
  1. Complete your admissions application during the last semester of your junior year (deadline is March 31, 2024). The application form can be downloaded HERE. Submit your application to the Program Director, Dr. Soreth, at soreth@rowan.edu. 


  2. The ABA Graduate Admissions Committee then reviews your application. The committee will be looking for a high undergraduate GPA, fieldwork experience in ABA, a strong statement of objectives, and two letters of recommendation that speak to your readiness for graduate coursework and your potential for a future career as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). 
    

  3. After the initial application review, eligible applicants will be invited to interview with the ABA faculty. 


  4. You will be notified of your admissions decision via email. 


  5. If you are admitted and choose to enroll in the 4+1 ADDP, you will be sent a student enrollment form to sign and return to the Program Director (Dr. Soreth).


  6. During your senior year, you enroll and complete four graduate courses (instead of the four electives required for the undergraduate degree). These four graduate courses will count as electives, and you will pay for these 12 graduate credits at the less expensive undergraduate tuition rate.


  7. After completing all of the requirements of your B.A. or B.S., you will continue enrollment as a full-time Rowan student for one additional year while you complete the remaining 21 graduate credits in the MA program, for which you are charged the graduate tuition rate.


  8. You will receive your Bachelors and your Masters in five years (instead of the 4 + 2 years of a traditional MA in ABA degree) while paying for only 21 graduate credits (instead of 33).
Course Requirements: B.A. in Psychology + MA in ABA

Major Requirements

The B.A. in Psychology consists of 39 credits in the major (120 s.h. total):

BIOL01113     General Biology: Human Focus

PSY01107       Essentials of Psychology (Humanistic Literacy)

PSY01199       Navigating Psychology

PSY01301       Psychology of Scientific Thinking

PSY07301       Statistics in Psychology (prerequisite PSY01301)

PSY07303       Research Methods in Psychology (prerequisite PSY07301)

PSY02300       Psychology as a Profession and Practice

PSY09218       Lifespan Development or PSY09209 Child and Adolescent Development

PSY02310       Learning and Behavior

PSY05206       Social Psychology or PSY01230 Psychology of Personality

PSY10315       Physiological Psychology  or PSY01326 Perception

PSY03200       Abnormal Psychology or PSY09305 Developmental Psychopathology

PSY01499       Psychology Senior Capstone

PSY02200       Essential Skills for Behavior Technicians (elective course for Psychology Majors)


Required B.A. Courses taken as an Undergraduate 4 + 1 student (by end of Junior Year)

PSY02310     Learning & Behavior (required course for Psychology Majors)

PSY02200     Essentials for Behavior Technicians (elective course for Psychology Majors)


In their senior year, students finish their undergraduate requirements while completing 12 hours of graduate coursework, including the following required courses:

Required M.A. Courses taken as an Undergraduate 4 + 1 student 12 s.h. (Senior Year)

PSY 02500    Basic Principles of Behavior 3 s.h.

PSY 02620    Behavioral Assessment and Functional Analysis 3 s.h.

PSY 02510    Research Methods in Behavior Analysis 3 s.h.

PSY 02610    Applied Behavior Analysis 3 s.h.

Total Credits in BA in Psychology: 120 s.h.


4 + 1 Graduate Program Requirements

Required M.A. Courses taken as a Graduate 4 + 1 Student 21 s.h.

PSY01510     Philosophy, History, and Conceptual Foundations of Behavior Analysis 3 s.h.

PSY02670     Ethics and Legal Issues in ABA 3 s.h.

PSY 02680    Advanced Practice in ABA 3 s.h.

PSY01660     Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis I 3 s.h.

PSY01661     Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis II 3 s.h.

PSY02671     Behavioral Consultation, Supervision, and Management 3 s.h.

PSY02710.    Advanced Experimental Analysis of Behavior 3 s.h.

Total Required Credits for the Graduate Portion of the Program 33 s.h.
This number includes the 12 graduate credits that may be applied toward both the graduate and undergraduate portions of the program.

Total Required Credits for the Entire 4 + 1 Accelerated Dual Degree Program 141 s.h.

Course Requirements: B.S. in Psychological Science + MA in ABA

Major Requirements

The B.S. in Psychological Science consists of 120 s.h., including 69 s.h. of major requirements:

Foundational Courses (12 s.h.)

PSY01.107 Essentials of Psychology (Humanistic Literacy) 

PSY01.199 Navigating Psychology 

PSY02.300 Psychology as a Profession and Practice 

PSY01.499 Psychology Senior Capstone

Research Courses (21 s.h.)

PSY01.301 Psychology of Scientific Thinking 

PSY07.301 Statistics in Psychology (prerequisite PSY01.301) 

PSY07.400 Advanced Statistics in Psychology (prerequisite PSY07.301) 

PSY07.303 Research Methods in Psychology (prerequisite PSY07.301) 

PSY01.420 Advanced Research I (prerequisite minimum grade of a B in, PSY01.301, PSY07.301, & PSY07.303, and completion of COMP01.112 OR HONR01.112) 

PSY01.421 Advanced Research II (prerequisite minimum grade of a B in PSY01.420) 

PSY01.426 Research Clinic in Psychology

Fundamental Courses (24 s.h.)

PSY09.218 Lifespan Development or PSY09.209 Child and Adolescent Development (note that only one of these courses may be counted as fulfilling credits for the BS degree; PSY09.210 Adolescent Development does not fulfill the requirements of the BS in Psychological Science) 

PSY02.310 Learning and Behavior 

PSY01.327 Cognitive Psychology 

PSY10.315 Physiological Psychology 

PSY01.326 Perception 

PSY05.206 Social Psychology or PSY01.230 Psychology of Personality 

PSY03.200 Abnormal Psychology or PSY09.305 Developmental Psychopathology 

12 additional s.h. of approved psychology electives

Required B.A. Courses taken as an Undergraduate 4 + 1 student (before end of JR year)

PSY02310     Learning & Behavior (required course for Psychology Majors)

PSY02200     Essentials for Behavior Technicians (elective course for Psychology Majors)

In their senior year, students finish their undergraduate requirements while completing 12 hours of graduate coursework, including the following required courses:

Required M.A. Courses taken as an Undergraduate 4 + 1 student 12 s.h. (Senior Year)

PSY 02500 Basic Principles of Behavior 3 s.h.

PSY 02620 Behavioral Assessment and Functional Analysis 3 s.h.

PSY 02510 Research Methods in Behavior Analysis 3 s.h.

PSY 02610 Applied Behavior Analysis 3 s.h.

Total Credits in B.S. in Psychological Science: 120 s.h.

4 + 1 Graduate Program Requirements

Required M.A. Courses taken as a Graduate 4 + 1 Student 21 s.h.

PSY01510  Philosophy, History, and Conceptual Foundations of Behavior Analysis 3 s.h.

PSY02670  Ethics and Legal Issues in ABA 3 s.h.

PSY 02680  Advanced Practice in ABA 3 s.h.

PSY01660  Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis I 3 s.h.

PSY01661  Practicum in Applied Behavior Analysis II 3 s.h.

PSY02671  Behavioral Consultation, Supervision, and Management 3 s.h.

PSY02710  Advanced Experimental Analysis of Behavior 3 s.h.

Total Required Credits for the Graduate Portion of the Program 33 s.h.
This number includes the 12 graduate credits that may be applied toward both the graduate and undergraduate portions of the program.

Total Required Credits for the Entire 4 + 1 Program 141 s.h.

Program Director

Michelle Ennis Soreth, PhD, BCBA-D
Associate Professor, Psychology Department
Director, Graduate Programs in Applied Behavior Analysis
soreth@rowan.edu