About the Program

Enrollment in this combined pathway allows highly qualified, currently-enrolled SUNY Buffalo State students to begin work on a M.S. degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) while completing a B.A. degree in Applied Psychology. Twelve (12) credits of designated master’s courses would be incorporated into the B.A. program and count toward both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree.

Admission Requirements

Admission into the combined pathway is highly selective. Matriculated undergraduate students may apply to the BA/MS pathway in their junior year and will complete all of the application requirements for the program. The admission application process includes a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and in Psychology, a statement of intent, and names of 3 references.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:
1. Critically evaluate existing literature in a given topic area of psychology.
2. Generate a scientific hypothesis in a given area of psychology.
3. Demonstrate understanding of basic research designs used in psychology and related mental health fields,
4. Utilize appropriate statistical techniques for a given research design.
5. Apply valid conclusions based on topic area, hypothesis, review of literature, and study outcomes.

Program Requirements

Program Requirements
General Education 23 Requirements
33 credit hours 33
Psychology Major Requirements (36 credit Hours)
Required Courses (12 credit hours)
PSY 101 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY 3
PSY 350 STATISTICS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 1 3
PSY 360 EVALUATING PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 3
PSY 468 PROFESSIONAL SKILLS IN PSYCHOLOGY 3
Note: PSY 350, PSY 360 and PSY 468 must be taken in sequence.
Content Courses (15 credit hours)
Students must select one course from each of the following groups. The prerequisite for all 300-level courses is PSY 101 with a grade of C or better, unless otherwise noted. 15
Biological and Cognitive Psychology
PSY 304 LEARNING: THEORY AND RESEARCH
PSY 308 SENSATION AND PERCEPTION
PSY 321 COMPARATIVE ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
PSY 330 THE PSYCHOLOGICAL POWER OF LANGUAGE
PSY 333 BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
PSY 340 COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Social/Personality Psychology
PSY 311 PERSONALITY: THEORY AND RESEARCH
PSY 325 SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
Developmental Psychology
PSY 301 PERSPECTIVES ON CHILD ABUSE AND ADVOCACY

PSY 355 LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSY 356 CHILD DEVELOPMENT
PSY 357 ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT DEVELOPMENT
Clinical Psychology
PSY 392 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY 2
Applied Psychology and Diversity
PSY 365 PSYCHOLOGY IN THE WORKPLACE
PSY 367 ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
PSY 370 ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY I
PSY 375 FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
PSY 376 HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
PSY 379 PSYCHOLOGY OF MONEY
PSY 381 PSYCHOLOGY OF CULTURE
PSY 382 PSYCHOLOGY OF THE CONSUMER
PSY 383 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
PSY 387 PSYCHOLOGY OF GENDER
PSY 388 PSYCHOLOGY OF DEATH AND DYING
Advanced and Electives Selected by Advisement (9 credit hours)
PSY 310 BEHAVIOR MODIFCATION 3
Two 400 level PSY electives (3 credits each) 6
Service Learning/Internship
As part of the Required Course Content or Advanced and Elective courses, students must complete one PSY service-learning, PSY 488 Internship or PSY 495 Special Project course.
Required Graduate Courses 12
Students must complete each of the following EXE courses during senior year of Applied Psychology BA
EXE 522 BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT, INSTRUCTION AND INTERVENTION
EXE 544 BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS
EXE 634 APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS3
EXE 681 CLINICAL RECORDS AND ETHICAL PRACTICES FOR BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS
All College Electives 39
Total Credit Hours 120
Applied Behavior Analysis MS Requirements (33 credit Hours)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing is required for each of the following
EXE 522 BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT, INSTRUCTION AND INTERVENTION 3
EXE 544 BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS 3
EXE 634 APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS3 3
EXE 681 CLINICAL RECORDS AND ETHICAL PRACTICES FOR BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS 3
EXE 644 ADVANCED APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS4 3
EXE 645 EFFECTIVE PRACTICES FOR SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER 3
EXE 646 CULTURE, DIVERSITY, DISABILITY, AND EDUCATION 3
EXE 673 PERSONNEL SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT5 3
EXE 683 SUPERVISED PRACTICUM: PERSONNEL SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT6 3
EXE 684 PRACTICE-BASED RESEARCH IN EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION7 3
EXE 690 MASTER’S PROJECT IN EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION 3
Total Graduate Credit Hours 33

1 Prerequisite: At least sophomore status; Completion of the Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning General Education requirement – only a MAT course at MAT 114 or higher.
2 Prerequisite: PSY 101 with a Grade of C or higher and 3 additional hours of psychology.
3 Prerequisite: EXE 500 or EXE 100 or instructor permission.
4 Prerequisite: EXE 634.
5 Prerequisite: EXE 644.
6 Prerequisite: EXE 673.
7 Prerequisite: Completion of all core courses except the research requirement and a minimum of 9 hours of coursework from the specialized program.