The department offers a terminal master's degree in Psychology with a Specialty in Applied Behavior Analysis (how behavior is influenced by environmental conditions). The master's program is offered at the Panama City Campus, which is two hours west of Tallahassee. Students also may live in Tallahassee and take courses via interactive television.

The primary purpose of the master's program is to prepare students to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts ( http://www.bacb.com/ ). As such the focus of the program is on course work and applied experiences. Students will complete 30 hours of BACB approved course work and 9 hours of practicum. Although practica are typically performed in the second year, students are encouraged and often required through class assignments to begin applying the information learned in class to real-life situations. Throughout the program, students' behavioral skills are shaped through in-class interactions with their peers and instructors, through faculty supervision of applied experiences, and by working closely with experienced behavior analysts in the area. Upon graduation students will be well prepared to take the BACB certification exam and begin a career as a behavior analyst.

The master's program typically admits 18 to 20 students per year and receives around 45 applications. The average GRE (verbal and quantitative) of the most recent entering class was 1000 and the average GPA was 3.7. Most students had prior experience applying the principles of applied behavior analysis in a real-world setting.

Close to 60% of the master's students in applied behavior analysis receive stipends and tuition waivers. The primary source of funding is through the Panama City campus ABOVE ALL program in which graduate students provide behavioral treatment to autistic children and work with their families. Other assistantships are provided through Behavior Management Consultants in local schools. Students design and implement behavioral programs for children who have developmental, emotional, and/or behavior problems. A few teaching assistantships are available for undergraduate one-credit laboratory sections in Approaches to the Study of Behavior and Conditioning and Learning.

There are 2 types of scholarships specifically designated for Applied Behavior Analysis students. The Adam P. Arias Endowed Scholarship is available through the FSU Panama City Campus Foundation and designated for Applied Behavior Analysis students interested in working with children with autism. The Pilots club has 2 scholarships available for Applied Behavior Analysis students who are interested in working with people with brain injury or autism. The Pilots club scholarship application can be obtained from the Applied Behavior Analysis program coordinator, Dr. Colin Peeler. Many other scholarships are available through the FSU PC foundation and can be applied for through the office of Financial Aid.

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Detailed information about the master's program may be obtained here.