Educational Psychology

Welcome to the USM Educational Psychology Program.  The USM Educational Psychology Program offers four (4) different programs of study:

1. Master of Science in Educational Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis concentration (MSABA; 36 credits) – available via distance education
2. Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (CABA; 21 credits) – available via distance education
3. Certificate in Response to Intervention for Academics (RTI-A; 18 credits)
4. Certificate in Response to Intervention for Behavior (RTI-B; 18 credits)

Both the M.S. and CABA include the classes required to obtain the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credential. The BCBA is a national certification administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). The M.S. is for those who want the BCBA but do not have a master’s degree. The CABA is for those who want the BCBA but already have a master’s degree. Both the MS and CABA are approved by the BACB. There are three (3) steps needed to become a BCBA:

1. Complete coursework
2. Complete 1500 hours of internship supervised by a BCBA
3. Take and pass the national BCBA exam

USM offers step 1, the coursework, but does not provide steps 2 and 3. Those seeking the BCBA must complete steps 2 and 3 on their own as specified by the BACB. Information about the BCBA application process can be obtained from: http://www.bacb.com/

The Certificates in RTI for Academics (RTI-A) and Behavior (RTI-B) are designed for classroom teachers, school administrators, and other school personnel interested in learning how to design and implement RTI methods in their schools. Students in the RTI-A and RTI-B programs all take the same three (3) entry-level core classes. After completing these core classes, students then take classes specific to RTI for Academics or RTI for Behavior.