Behavior Analysis (Ph.D)
Salve Regina University's Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis provides students the coursework, research mentorship, and supervised clinical work necessary to help them establish a well-rounded behavior analytic repertoire. Students who complete the program will meet the qualifications to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst- Doctoral (BCBA-D), the highest credential in behavior analysis. Individuals with a BCBA-D credential will be competitive for advanced clinical, research, and teaching positions.
Salve's Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis consists of 12 courses (36 credits).
Program Prerequisites
All students in this program must also meet all the requirements for Salve's M.S. in Behavior Analysis prior to completing their Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis. Individuals interested in the Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis can apply with or without a master's degree in behavior analysis. Students who do not have a master's degree can be admitted to the Ph.D. program and will be required to complete Salve's behavior analysis master's program requirements as part of the Ph.D. program. Students who already have an applicable master's degree can be admitted to the Ph.D. program and can apply to waive some or all of the master's program requirements. Any master's program requirements that cannot be waived must be completed by the student as part of the Ph.D. program.
The 12 courses (36 credits) required to complete the Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis consist of five core courses, two electives, three experiential courses, and two semesters of dissertation research. In addition to the 12 courses (36 credits), students will be required to complete a comprehensive examination. The anticipated time to complete the Ph.D. program is four to five years if the student does not have a master's degree in behavior analysis when they enter the program. The anticipated time to complete the program is two to three years if the student does have a master's degree in behavior analysis and is able to waive the master's program requirements.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses (15 Credits) | ||
| PSY-630 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| PSY-623 | Autism Spectrum and Other Developmental Disabilities | 3 |
| PSY-631 | ABA Consultation | 3 |
| PSY-636 | Experimental Analysis of Behavior II | 3 |
| PSY-642 | Behavior Analysis & Societal Issues | 3 |
| Electives Courses (6 Credits) | ||
| PSY-613 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| PSY-621 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| PSY-625 | Mental Health Constructs | 3 |
| PSY-633 | Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
| PSY-640 | Current & Professional Issues Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| PSY-651 | Critical Thinking and Decision Making in Psychology | 3 |
| PSY-680 | Individual Research | 3 |
| PSY-699 | Special Topics | 3 |
| Experiential Learning Courses (9 Credits) | ||
| PSY-672 | Practicum III | 3 |
| PSY-673 | Practicum IV | 1-3 |
| PSY-675 | Behavior Analysis: College Teaching | 1-3 |
| Dissertation (6 Credits) | ||
| PSY-690 | Dissertation Research and Writing I | 1-3 |
| PSY-691 | Dissertation Research and Writing II | 1-3 |
Recommended Course Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| PSY-623 | Autism Spectrum and Other Developmental Disabilities (Or Elective) | 3 |
| PSY-630 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSY-636 | Experimental Analysis of Behavior II | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| PSY-672 | Practicum III | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSY-699 | Special Topics | 3 |
| PSY-673 | Practicum IV | 1-3 |
| PSY-675 | Behavior Analysis: College Teaching | 1-3 |
| Credits | 5-9 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSY-631 | ABA Consultation | 3 |
| PSY-642 | Behavior Analysis & Societal Issues | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSY-690 | Dissertation Research and Writing I | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSY-691 | Dissertation Research and Writing II | 1-3 |
| Credits | 1-3 | |
| Total Credits | 30-36 | |