Special Education with Emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis, M.Ed.
Cara Soto, Program Diretor
cara.soto@hsutx.edu
Mission Statement
The mission of the HSU Master of Education in Special Education is to prepare individuals who demonstrate excellence in the practice of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and are enlightened by Christian faith and values.
The Program Philosophy
The philosophy of the graduate program is based upon the understanding of environmental contingencies that reinforce prosocial behaviors that are beneficial to everyone in society. The BEHV graduate program provides varied and rich learning experiences that seek to (a) prepare graduates in ABA to work in a variety of career fields; (b) to provide graduates with the most current evidence-based knowledge and most effective skill sets needed for the opportunity to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA); (c) to provide graduates with expertise to be successful researchers and interventionists in order to be a lifelong contributor to the overall field of special education and ABA.
Curriculum
30 (non-thesis) graduate semester hour program leading to a Master of Education in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis. Two routes for the confirmation of the degree will be offered.
30 non-thesis hours - online graduate program
Local graduate students:
Offers a two-year program with online courses combined with optional 20-25 hours per week of supervised fieldwork at the Houston-Lantrip Autism Center (HLAC) at Hardin-Simmons University or another approved site. At the end of this program, candidates who have successfully completed all coursework and fieldwork requirements will be eligible to sit for the BCBA certification exam.
Distance graduate students:
Offers a two-year program with online courses combined with optional 20-25 hours per week of supervised fieldwork at the HLAC or an approved site. At the end of this program, candidates who have successfully completed all coursework and fieldwork requirements will be eligible to sit for the BCBA certification exam.
Prerequisites
All applicants for the Master of Education in Special Education with an emphasis in ABA degree must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. All candidates are evaluated on an individual basis.
Admission Criteria
The evaluation criteria include, but are not limited to:
1. Undergraduate GPA (minimum of 2.75 overall or 3.0 in last 60 hours).
2. Submission of undergraduate academic record.
3. At least two written letters of recommendations. Academic references are strongly preferred and should be in an appropriate position to make recommendation (e.g., current or former advisor or professor; school administrator). Recommendation letters should address potential as a graduate student; include references to how applicant will benefit from the graduate program in future professional roles and attest to applicant's professional and academic skills.
The HLC Graduate Advisory Committee (e.g., Dean of the School of Education, Director of the graduate program, and appropriate content appropriate faculty) will review and approve new student admissions that meet the admission criteria.
Visual Schedule of Course Offerings
BACB Content Area Aligned with Proposed Courses
| BACB Required Curriculum Content Area |
Required Minimum Hours from fieldwork and/or class content |
ABA Courses |
Total Coursework Hours |
|
|
6310 |
6312 |
6314 |
6316 |
6318 |
6320 |
|
| Ethical and Professional Conduct |
45 |
|
|
|
|
45 |
|
45 hours |
| Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis |
45 |
15 |
|
30 |
15 |
|
|
60 hours |
| Measurement (including data analysis) |
25 |
5 |
|
|
15 |
|
10 |
30 hours |
| Experimental Design |
20 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
10 |
20 hours |
| Identification of the Problem & Assessment |
30 |
|
25 |
|
10 |
|
|
30 hours |
| Fundamental Elements of Behavior Change & Specific Behavior Change Procedures |
45 |
|
|
25 |
15 |
|
10 |
50 hours |
| Intervention & Behavior Change Considerations |
10 |
|
|
5 |
5 |
|
10 |
20 hours |
| Behavior Change Systems |
10 |
|
|
5 |
5 |
|
10 |
20 hours |
| Implementation, Management, & Supervision |
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
25 |
25 hours |
| Discretionary |
30 |
10 |
10 |
|
|
10 |
|
30 hours |
Core Curriculum
Required Courses
Special Education with ABA emphasis-21 hours
| BEHV 6310 | Introduction to Applied Behavioral Analysis | 3 |
| BEHV 6312 | Behavioral Assessment of Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| BEHV 6314 | Applied Behavioral Strategies for Neurodiverse Learners | 3 |
| BEHV 6316 | Program Planning for Neurodiverse Learners | 3 |
| BEHV 6318 | Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| BEHV 6320 | Internship in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| BEHV 6321 | Current Issues in Applied Behavioral Analysis | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Candidacy
All Special Education graduate students will have academic progress reviewed by the graduate program director and the future HLC Graduate Advisory Committee of graduate course work. BEHV graduate students with a GPA less than 3.0 in coursework or communication skills (oral or written) during this review will be required to take additional courses in either or both areas before final approval for candidacy and graduation. If academic or communication problems persist the HLC Graduate Advisory Committee will determine the continued progress or removal from the BEHV graduate program.
Graduation Requirements
Successful completion of 30 hours of course-work (3.0 GPA), 85% or higher on the comprehensive exam, and an exit interview.
Comprehensive Exam and Exit Interview
A comprehensive written exam will be scheduled during students' last Fall semester. Questions for the comprehensive exam will come from the core curriculum courses and courses within the Special Education graduate curriculum. Exam and question format will be based upon the BACB competences, as well as faculty created questions based on additional course objectives. Students must attain a passing grade of 85% or better. If a student does not attain an 85% on the exam, remedial work may be required and another attempt at the exam will be given. The comprehensive exam process must be completed within the first six weeks of the students last Fall semester. If a passing grade is not attained, students will retake the exam after remedial work has been completed. Students will have two more attempts to meet the 85% passing rate. If 85% is not attained by the third attempt a student will need to consult with the program director regarding the necessary steps needed to graduate.
Students will also complete an exit interview with the BEHV program director and other BEHV faculty as needed. Completion of the comprehensive written exam and exit interview must be completed two weeks prior to the end of the program.