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Behavior Analysis masters program adds blended, distance-based component

St. Cloud State University’s Masters of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Program is one of only six programs accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis. The on-campus program has existed for approximately 20 years. Last year, SCSU faculty Eric Rudrud, Kim Schulze and Guy Bruce added new elements to the program to make it one of a kind in the nation. These faculty collaborated with three community-based programs (Autism Partnership in California, Families for Effective Autism Treatment in Minnesota and the Lovaas Institute for Early Intergration in New Jersey) to develop a blended, distance-based program.

Course work is delivered through a combination of on-site instruction, internet delivery via Web CT, and adjunct doctoral faculty who are affliated with one of the partners.

The course requirements of the distance-based program are the same as the on-campus program. Funding
for on-site instruction components is provided by each of the partners.

“Distance-based learning through Web CT is an important component of our program, but there are certain parts of the curriculum that need to be held in a face to face class setting,” Schulze said.

There are presently 17 students in the in the on-campus program and 38 students who participate through the distance based cohorts in California, New Jersey and Minnesota. However, the students are not confined to the immediate vicinity of the cohort. Students are located in Hawaii, Nebraska, Georgia, Winnipeg, Canada, and Pennsylvania.

The program is designed so students can work full-time while taking two courses per semester, including summer courses and still complete the program in six semesters.

Support for the program has come from various colleges at SCSU. Dean Joane W. McKay of the College of Education provided encouragement for the program and new computers for the faculty. The Center for Continuing Studies worked closely with the faculty and partners to work out the logistics of program implementation.

“John Burgeson and Patty Kallevig fom the Center for Continuing Studies, were instrumental in getting the program up and running so fast,” Rudrud said.

Dennis Nunes, Dean of Graduate Studies provided support for the development and implementation of the new distance-based program.

The faculty participated in distance-based training programs and worked closely with Learning Resources and Technology Services staff to learn about distance-based instructional design, Web CT and web instructional software.

Gaining funding for the program has been difficult because state and federal grants tend to favor programs in the area of teacher preparation. The M.S. in Behavior Analysis is not a typical teacher licensure area and does not meet the eligibilty for teacher preparation grants.

This is a truly collaborative program which meets the needs of human service agencies and businesses.

Bruce pointed out that the program was developed without any advertising, “The ‘partners’ contacted us organizations heard about our program and contacted us to get further training and advanced degrees for their employees. The behavior analysis community is small throughout the world and word travels fast.”

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