Statement of Purpose: This webpage is intended to provide information and professional resources to students in Caldwell College's graduate programs in Applied Behavior Analysis (Post-Bac in ABA, MA in ABA). This site is maintained by Dr. Ken Reeve and the graduate faculty in ABA. If you have any suggestions for this website, please email him at kreeve@caldwell.edu.

Graduate Programs in Applied Behavior Analysis - General Information

Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis - Program Description

Post-Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis - Program Description

In past news, the proposed PhD program received approval by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which accredits colleges and universities in the northeast. In addition, the proposed PhD program received a very positive report by an outside consultant. The PhD program had already been approved unanimously by the Caldwell College's Curriculum Committee and approved by the College's Board of Trustees. Previously, Caldwell College commissioned a feasibility study and a marketing study to investigate the possibility of a doctoral program in ABA. The first phase of the feasibility study assessed the need of advanced training in ABA amongst professionals and consumers in the autism community. Respondents to a marketing study were strongly in favor of the PhD program. Additional updates regarding this process will be posted here as they develop (updated 10/2/08).

Ü For all students who wish to take thesis in Fall 2009, before you can register you will be asked to complete the following survey in Spring 2009:
                 THESIS ADVISOR AND TOPIC SURVEY

In this survey you will indicate (a) your top two thesis research topic choices, and (b) your preference ranking for which professor you would prefer for your thesis Chair (this will be the professor who teaches your PS 650 and PS 651 courses and develops the study with you). Although the ABA grad faculty will do their best to accommodate your first choices, please understand that you may have to conduct your thesis with a modified topic or with your second or third choice for Thesis Chair. You cannot register for a thesis section based only on a preference for a particular professor or because the time of the section is convenient for you. These restrictions are necessitated by size limits on each section of thesis to 5-6 students and by topic expertise of each faculty member. You will be receiving an email outlining these registration procedures for thesis. In the meantime, it will be helpful to you to begin learning the content of the Handbook for Thesis Research (click link) (updated 4/7/09).

Ü For all students who will be taking Ps650 Thesis in ABA I, please note that there is a
 Handbook for Thesis Research. You will be responsible for the content of this handbook throughout the thesis process (updated 4/22/09).

Ü Click here for this new link!

Ü For students taking thesis, there are various forms you must be familiar with and complete prior to conducting your study. There is also an online course you must complete regarding the protection of human participants (updated 8/31/09):

Protecting Human Research Subjects (ALL Thesis students must complete this online course and present the completion certificate to their thesis advisor.)

Description of the IRB        Sample Informed Consent Form   (updated 8/31/09)

Sample Completed Expedited Review Form       Expedited Review Form (updated 10/6/08)

more coming soon

Workshop with Drs. Cathleen Piazza and Wayne Fisher: Caldwell College will be hosting a two-part workshop with Drs. Cathleen Piazza and Wayne Fisher on Friday October 16, 2009 in the Alumni Theatre. Current ABA students who are not already BCBA or BCaBA only need to pay $25 for the entire day (but must still register). Current ABA students who are already BCBA or BCaBA must pay the regular fee since they will be receiving 6 CEUs for the day towards maintaining certification. Download Registration brochure. (updated 8/31/09).

Professional Information - Websites
Graduate students should consider membership and participation in the following organizations:

New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis (NJABA)
Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)
Association of Professional Behavior Analysts
Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT)
Autism NJ (formerly COSAC)

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA)
Journal of Experimental Analysis of Behavior (JEAB)
Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)