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Programs


Applied Behavior Analysis

The University of Rochester’s programs in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) will prepare you to be a skilled and innovative professional. ABA is the science of human behavior. The synthesis of the principles of ABA and the framework of human development are individually powerful and generate a strong synergy. The Warner School provides a unique opportunity for the study of both disciplines.

Our ABA program prepares students to design intervention programs and to practice effective and ethically sound behavior analysis. Further, it prepares students to work with individuals with autism in schools, community agencies, and in their homes, as part of an interdisciplinary team. Finally, students receive the educational foundation to seek admission to doctoral studies, should they choose to further their education.

Information about faculty and research can be found on the Applied Behavior Analysis website.

AdmissionsLink to section

ApplyingLink to section

The Warner School uses an online self-managed application process. Applicants are required to complete all portions of the online application and submit the following documents through an upload:

  • Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Transcripts of all prior college-level work. Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the admissions process; however, official transcripts of all previous post-secondary education are required if admitted to the program, within the first semester the student enrolls.
  • Letters of recommendation from members of the academic community and/or workplace professionals who know your qualifications for graduate study are required. Preferably, at least one recommendation should be from a former professor. At least two letters are required for master’s applicants and three for doctoral applicants. Letters of recommendation are managed on the online application.
  • A statement of purpose describing your academic or professional background and your interest in pursuing graduate study at Warner is required. The statement of purpose is generally between two and four pages, double-spaced. You can upload a file or cut and paste into the online application.
  • An academic writing sample written in English. This may be a term paper from your earlier academic work or a five- or six-page commentary on an issue in education that you have written for this purpose only. The paper should support an academic argument, reference citations, and use a research style sheet.

A $70 application fee is required when submitting the application.

After the application is initially reviewed, candidates may be contacted to schedule an interview with a Warner faculty member. A holistic review of each individual application takes place by the faculty in the program. Warner reviews applications on a rolling basis for MS, CAS, and EdD candidates; applicants typically receive a decision on their application within 4 to 6 weeks from the priority application deadline.

Applying to Master's ProgramsLink to section

Applications are accepted to Warner master’s programs on a rolling admissions basis. Master’s applications require two letters of recommendations.

Applying to Advanced CertificatesLink to section

Applications are accepted to Warner advanced certificate programs on a rolling admissions basis. Advanced certificate applications require two letters of recommendation.

AcademicsLink to section

Master's Degrees and RequirementsLink to section

The Warner School is committed to excellence in pre-service and in-service preparation of education professionals at the master’s level. It maintains programs that prepare students to undertake a wide variety of professional roles in schools and other educational settings. Several of these programs also enable students to satisfy all the academic requirements needed to obtain initial and/or professional certification from New York State or become eligible for licensure. All these programs combine strong emphasis on professional excellence with the University’s commitment to sound scholarship and are nationally accredited by NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) and/or CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs). We are currently working toward an upcoming national accreditation by AAQEP (Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation) for the following programs:

  • Teacher Preparation programs in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, English, Foreign Languages, Inclusion, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and TESOL
  • Reading and Literacies
  • School Administration Preparation for both the Building and District levels

All master’s degrees require completion of at least 30 credit hours of coursework, although many MS degree programs require additional credit hours (as indicated for each program listed in this section).

Transfer credit pertains to graduate coursework from another institution or another school or college within the University of Rochester that is completed before the student matriculates into a degree program at the Warner School. Retroactive credit pertains to coursework completed at the Warner School prior to matriculation into a degree program. No more than 10 credit hours may be accepted as transfer credit into a master’s degree. It is possible that a combination of transfer and retroactive credit may exceed 10 credit hours. Transfer credit and retroactive credit are permitted only when they meet the following criteria: (1) must have been taken within five years of the date of matriculation; (2) must have received a grade of B or higher; and (3) must meet the approval of the faculty advisor, program chair, and the associate dean of graduate studies. Courses taken at institutions other than the University of Rochester after matriculation in the master’s degree program may not be used toward the master’s degree.

The total time limit for completing a master’s degree is five years. Requests for extension of this deadline must be submitted in writing to the associate dean of graduate studies. Such extensions, if granted, will be of limited duration and may require additional coursework.

Students may pursue the MS degree on a full-time or part-time basis. In cases that require a field placement (student teaching, practicum, or internship), however, it may be necessary to spend one or two semesters in full-time residence. Policies regarding conditions for fulfillment of field placement responsibilities vary from program to program. All master’s programs require a culminating assessment, although the nature of this assessment varies across programs (master’s essay, thesis, portfolio, or comprehensive exam). Students must maintain continuous registration throughout the program. Continuous registration for part-time students means registration for a total of nine credit hours every academic year sequence of summer-fall-spring semesters until the degree program is completed. If a student does not register for coursework during any fall or spring semester, that student must register for continuation of enrollment for that fall or spring semester. Students have to either register for courses or for continuation of enrollment every fall and spring semester until the degree program is completed.

Advanced Certificates and RequirementsLink to section

Students who already hold a master’s degree but are seeking additional NYS certifications can also pursue their goals by enrolling in one of the Warner School’s non-degree programs leading to a specific certification (registered with the NYS Education Department). Some advanced certificates that do not lead to NYS certification, only require a bachelor’s degree. The number of credit hours necessary to complete each of these certification programs depends on each student’s previous background.

Graduate Course TitlesLink to section

  • ED419: Life Course Studies
  • ED429: Theories of Human Development
  • ED453: Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis
  • ED457: Autism Spectrum Disorders: Characteristics and Educational Issues
  • ED458: Methods and Applications in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • EDE450: Applied Leadership
  • EDE454: Assessment and Treatment of Challenging Behaviors
  • EDE455: Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • EDE456: Ethical and Professional Conduct for Behavior Analysts
  • EDE457: Staff Training and Performance Management
  • EDF453: Practicum in Applied Behavioral Analysis (0-400 hours)
  • EDF453A: Practicum in Applied Behavioral Analysis (401-800 hours)
  • EDF453B: Practicum in Applied Behavioral Analysis (801-1200 hours)
  • EDF453C: Practicum in Applied Behavioral Analysis (1201-1500 hours)
  • EDF453D: Practicum in Applied Behavioral Analysis (additional licensure hours)
  • EDU455: Policy and Practice in Developmental Differences
  • EDU466: Problem Identification and Intervention in Counseling I