California State University - Northridge

The M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is designed to set students up for success. Though rigorous and painstaking, it is evident that the challenges that students face are intended to shape each individual to into competent and ethical science-practitioners. The cohort sizes are small (i.e. 30 students or less), and the classes meet in the evening to accommodate students who are self-sufficient and need to work during the day to support... Read More themselves. The program also requires that each student complete a minimum amount of internship hours under the supervision of an approved company that provides behavioral services to individuals with developmental disabilities. With each incoming cohort, these companies are placed under review to make sure that the standards for supervision of their graduate students is up to par. Students also have the opportunity to be mentored by a faculty member upon acceptance into their research lab. Both undergraduate and graduate students are supervised using a pyramidal model, to prepare them for what they will face in Ph.D. programs, if they choose to pursue doctoral degrees. The faculty members are passionate about the science of behavior, and are even more passionate about the students meeting their personal and professional goals in the field of Behavior Analysis. In fact, it is not uncommon for students who have graduated from the program to meet with past faculty to seek clinical consult, and the faculty are happy maintain the professional relationship. Though Behavior Analysis is a smaller field within the Psychology department, the director of the program has made sure to impart on the students of the ABA program, that respect of other fields and collaboration is the key for overall positive change in the world. As such, along with Behavior Analysts who teach the courses, graduate students also have the privilege of being taught by the Director of the Clinical Psychology Masters program at CSUN, for two of the courses. Perhaps one of the most defining features of the ABA program at CSUN is the program format that has adopted critical elements from other professional education systems. For example, students of the ABA program are taught to debate, similar to the way that law students are trained to defend their cases using published literature and evidence to support their arguments. These skills are required of Behavior Analysts, as we will undoubtedly have to defend our clients right to treatment during IEP meetings, in-home service meetings, or even in court proceedings. Similar to medical students, ABA graduate students must undergo three separate oral examinations on basic concepts of Behavior Analysis, systems and procedures, and bedside manner. Each of these exams is a test of competence, ranging from foundational knowledge, to answering questions of a concerned parent or guardian in non-technical language. Of the available graduate programs in Behavior Analysis, I truly believe that the ABA program at CSUN provides one of the most well rounded environments that a student with a passion for Behavior Analysis could hope to learn in.

I believe this program is preparing me to work in student services, which is my goal upon graduation. Previously, I was lacking in demonstrable skills, but now, by completing fieldwork hours, I will have the desired amount by semester's end. Time will tell for sure if this program is worth it (by how quickly I gain employment afterwards), but I do believe it is already helping me move towards my goal of helping students be successful in college. Note, I gave Transportation 1 star because I don't... Read More use it and there isn't an "N/A" option. I don't mean to say it isn't good, but it isn't relevant to me.

Don't go to this program. I should have gone to CSULA. The professors here have issues. Importantly, the material taught is not taught well. It's like if they are tired of teaching. The focus on the program is on counseling and consultation. The field nowadays focuses on behavior. There's is no real focus on behavior. The behavior class we did have was a waste of time. We only got one class in behavior with a proffesor who was absent often and was too busy working on his thesis. There's also issues... Read More in the demeanor of these professors who are quick to judge you and threaten you with kicking you out of the program.. They will offer everyone personal feedback on your perceived personality flaws and have meetings with you. I personally saw how they ganged up on a student and made her quit the program. They have a counseling class that is supposed to teach counseling skills. But the class solely focuses on you talking about your personal life and the teacher gets mad when you don't. It's very strange because these professors will have meetings to talk about you, and they are not embarrassed to admit it. It's hard enough having to work and go to school and do school work. It makes it more difficult to have to deal with the petty crap these professors make you experience. I've spoken to other psychologist who didn't deal with this in their graduate experience.