Accelerated Dual Degree Program (B.A./M.S.) - Sociology & Criminology and Applied Behavior Analysis

The Accelerated Dual Degree Graduate Program between Sociology & Criminology and Applied Behavior Analysis is designed for students who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology & Criminology and a Master’s of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis, completing both degrees in 5 years total. Students must have at least 90 undergraduate credit hours completed, which may include transfer credit, before starting graduate courses. When applying to an accelerated dual degree program, students should have at least 75 credits completed and clearly be on track for the required 90 credit hours. For students who are accepted, nine credit hours of graduate-level course for the Applied Behavior Analysis program can be completed during the fourth year and will count toward combined undergraduate/graduate requirements. Upon completion of 120 credit hours, students will earn their B.A. in Sociology & Criminology and upon completion of the integrated program, students will earn their Master’s of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. Students will be eligible to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. They will also be eligible to become Certified Ohio Behavior Analysts through the Ohio Department of Psychology.

Sociology & Criminology

Program Description

Studying sociology will expose you to theoretical insights about human behavior and teach you critical analytical thinking and skills to work with, and help understand, people. You will learn about ways people interact, organize, and act as societies, cultures, families, ethnic/racial groups, socioeconomic classes, religions, and other types of groups. As a sociology student, you will take courses in the foundations of sociology, research methods, and sociological theory. You will also explore contemporary social issues such as: crime, drugs, law, poverty, health, prejudice and discrimination, inequalities, the environment, and sexuality and gender, both within the U.S. and globally. SC 1010 is usually taken in either the first or the sophomore year. Upper-division courses are advanced courses and should ordinarily be taken during junior and senior years for a total of 37 credits. Depending on their career interests, majors can choose to focus their studies in one of four applied concentrations: criminology, law, and justice; forensic behavioral studies; social work, community and health; or diversity, justice and social change. Many of our students also complete internships to gain professional experience in a variety of fields.

Program Learning Goals in Sociology and Criminology

Students will:

1. Be able to engage in critical questioning about their society, its social structure, and the larger world in which they live.

2. Develop critical sociological thinking skills in: reasoning, theoretical analysis, interpretation of research findings, and the general ability to separate fact from misinformation in order to engage the institutions and cultures of the multiple societies in this global community.

3. Be able to engage in research of various types with the goals of answering questions and disseminating findings in oral and written forms about the nature of human society and its diversity, cultures, human interactions, social structure, and issues related to social justice.

4. Develop as whole persons with their completion of a successful educational program with its implications for continued learning and a successful work life, and a commitment to lifelong civic engagement.

Applied Behavior Analysis

Program Description

The Master’s of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program is a 39 semester-hour graduate degree program. This program prepares candidates to engage in professional practice as it relates to the science of behavior change. It prepares students to be eligible to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam and to be eligible to take the Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst exam.

Admission Criteria for Degree Programs

• An undergraduate major in Sociology & Criminology at John Carroll University.

• An undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

• Two references. Once must be the undergraduate academic advisor. The other should also be familiar with the applicant’s academic work, professional work, vocational commitment, and suitability for the role of a behavior analyst are required. Ideally, these references can comment on the suitability of the applicant for graduate study.

• A letter of intent from the applicant outlining career objectives and goals. The letter should be 400-600 words in length. It will be evaluated for content and grammatical and mechanical correctness.

• Resume which includes both work and volunteer experience.

• Applicants may need to participate in an individual interview

No application will be evaluated until all of the materials listed above, along with a Graduate Application form and appropriate official transcripts, are submitted.

The John Carroll University Department of Psychology accepts applications for the Applied Behavioral Analysis M.A on a rolling basis. For best consideration, applications should be received by April 15th for fall semester. Applicants applying for graduate assistant positions should submit all materials for admission by the February 1 deadline.

The application material will be evaluated by the admissions committee. Possessing the minimum admission requirements, e.g., a 3.0 GPA, does not guarantee admission.

Retention Criteria

The unique interpersonal nature of the behavioral analysis profession requires that students in the M.S. in ABA program students should be evaluated for their fitness as providers of behavioral interventions. This comprehensive evaluation focuses on assessing the student’s academic achievement, the student’s demonstration of the personal dispositions needed in order to be an effective clinician, and the student’s adherence to the ethical standards of the profession defined by either the American Psychological Association Code of Ethics or the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts. If a student is found to be deficient, a concern conference will be held with the student in order to implement a remediation plan. If, after attempts at remediation, the student is still demonstrating inappropriate behaviors, or not achieving at an appropriate academic level, the student will be asked to leave the program. More detailed information about the department’s retention criteria can be found in its Graduate Student Handbook. Students should also review the Policies and Procedures section of this Bulletin.

Program Learning Goals in Applied Behavior Analysis

1. Students will demonstrate master’s level theoretical knowledge and competencies in philosophical underpinnings, concepts and principles, ethics, behavior assessment, behavior-change procedures, and personnel supervision/management theoretical knowledge and competencies in Applied Behavior Analysis.

2. Students will demonstrate an empirical and critical thinking-based approach to applications of behavior analysis to problems of social and cultural importance.

3. Students will be proficient in master’s level specialized clinical Applied Behavior Analysis knowledge and skills in the areas of philosophical underpinnings, concepts and principles, measurement and experimental design, ethics, behavior assessment, behavior-change procedures, and personnel supervision/management theoretical knowledge and competencies. Further, graduates of the M.S. in ABA will be able to ethically employ the science of behavior to socially relevant behaviors prioritized by consumers.

4. Demonstrate the master’s-level foundational skills, underlying principles, and knowledge of measurement, data display, data interpretation, and experimental design in Applied Behavior Analysis.

5. Students in the masters in behavior analysis program engage in social action, embracing diversity, inclusive, and participatory practices that challenge the interconnected systems in which behavior exists and behavior change occurs.

6. Students in the masters in behavior analysis program engage in reflective scientific practice, informed by the science of behavior analysis, that cares for the whole person.

7. Students in the masters in behavior analysis program communicate effectively and engage collaboratively in inter- and multidisciplinary settings, with an emphasis on the application of their skills to a multiculturally sensitive and diverse population. Students in the program will be prepared to serve as leaders in the field locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Additionally, the M.S. in ABA program has additional learning goals based on the accreditation standards set by the Association for Applied Behavioral Analysis International (ABAI). ABAI M.S. standards require:

1. The students demonstrate knowledge and understanding founded upon bachelor’s-level studies.

2. Program extends and/or enhances knowledge typically associated with bachelor’s-level degree programs, and provides a basis or opportunity for originality in developing and/or applying ideas, often within a research context. 

3. The students apply their knowledge and understanding and problem solving abilities in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study. 

4. The students communicate their conclusions, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously.

5. The students study in a manner that may be largely self-directed or autonomous. 

Requirements

Undergraduate Major Requirements

Required Core Courses (13 cr.)

Additional Major Electives (24 cr.)

Students must take 8 (24 cr.) additional major courses, of which, 4 courses (12 cr.) must be at the 3000 or 4000 level beyond the required courses. Students may take these eight courses in the four specialized concentrations or choose from a variety of department courses. At least 18 hours in the major must be taken at John Carroll University. Please note that students are required to take PO 1500, as a prerequisite for SC 3510. Students will also complete CE-2001 CAS Professional Development Program, usually during their sophomore year.

Total Credit Hours: 37

Specialized Concentrations in Sociology and Criminology

Sociology and criminology majors may elect to focus attention on one of four specialized concentrations in sociology: Criminology; Diversity, Culture, and Justice (DCJ); Social Work, Community, and Health (SWCH); or Forensic Behavioral Studies (FBSC).  Fulfillment of the concentrations requires that all requirements within the concentrations be successfully completed.  In some cases, the requirements for a concentration may exceed the requirements for the sociology and criminology major.  For students wanting to complete two concentrations, they may overlap only two courses, which would be counted toward both concentrations.

Please see the program major for concentration requirements and consult your faculty major advisor or the department chair about questions and details regarding the concentrations.

Combined Undergraduate and Graduate Requirements

The combined requirements should be completed during the fourth year.  PS 5112, 5113, and 5123 will count as general credits toward undergraduate degree requirements.

Graduate Program Requirements

ABA Core Sequence

In addition to the graduate courses listed above, students must complete:

Field Experience Sequence

Students may complete a concentration in Additional Fieldwork as they complete the M.S. in ABA program.  To that end, they will enroll in PS 5297 a second time and then PS 5397: SUPERVISED FIELDWORK III two times, for a total of 9 additional credit hours.