Newsletter
Volume 31 | 2008 | Number 2
Florida State University at Panama City Master's Program in Applied Behavior Analysis
By Dr. H. Allen Murphy
The Florida State University (FSU) Master’s program in applied behavior analysis, founded in 1999, is located on the beautiful Panama City campus nestled among the oaks on North Bay less than three miles from the “World’s Most Beautiful Beach” on the Gulf of Mexico. Students also have the option of living in Tallahassee, 100 miles to the east. Currently, all classes are offered via interactive TV with faculty dividing their time between the two campuses.
The Master’s curriculum approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board is designed to produce well-rounded professional behavior analysts with an emphasis on a thorough knowledge of behavior analytic principles, practical application, and the ability to communicate to consumers and professionals. A variety of practical experiences are available and all students are typically provided the opportunity for paid assistantships with a tuition waiver.
Our first year of accreditation by the Association for Behavior Analysis International has been marked with several notable events. All bode well for the future of the program and students. These are described below in chronological order.
The Early Child Autism Program (ECAP, formerly, ABOVE ALL) was fortunate in being able to hire Megan DeLeon, a recent graduate from the Master’s program, as the Clinical Coordinator. Megan’s experience and enthusiasm for providing behavioral services for children on the autism spectrum has become evident with the new directions she has taken ECAP.
We are delighted to announce that Sarah Lechago has accepted a faculty position beginning Fall, 2008. Sarah is completing her Ph.D. from Western Michigan University under the direction of Dr. Jim Carr. Her focus is on the application of Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior and she will assume the role of ECAP’s Director.
The Second Annual ABA Job Fair was held in Tallahassee this year. We had16 exhibitors from around Florida present to recruit ABA Master’s students as well as undergraduate psychology majors.
We graduated our 100th Master’s student in April. This brings our total graduates to 109.
Seventeen new students from another outstanding applicant pool were admitted for the fall 2008 semester. Nine will be based in Tallahassee with the remaining eight in Panama City. The incoming students will be coming to us from as far away as New York, Ohio, and Nebraska.
The FSU Master’s Program was highlighted in an article in the New York Times on April 20 along with five other ABA exemplary programs. For more information about the program or to apply, visit the Web site at http://www.pc.fsu.edu/index.cfm?P1=Graduate&P2=59.