Becoming an ABA Therapist at Caldwell
Caldwell University is also featured in our ranking of the Top 25 Best Applied Behavior Analysis Programs.
Since 2005, the Graduate School of Education has awarded a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Applied Behavior Analysis for Caldwell University post-grads to apply evidence-based tactics for modifying abnormal habits. Chaired by Dr. Sharon Reeve, an NJCIM Religious Lay Leader Award recipient, the 45-credit degree produces competent practitioners for treating behavior disorders from ADHD to addiction. Face-to-face evening courses like Social Skill Development, Functional Assessment, Stimulus Control, and Motivational Systems have a low 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The Combined B.A. in Psychology/M.A. track lets seniors enter 500-level classes from Cognition to Developmental Disabilities immediately. Electives include a three-credit practicum placement, such as First Children’s Strive Center, EPIC School, Trinitas Services, Anchor Behavioral Solutions, and Aveanna Healthcare. Culminating with thesis research, the two-year sequence opens eligibility for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam.
Other opportunities include engaging in the Center for Autism, publishing in Behavioral Interventions, pursuing the Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis, attending the Early Childhood Conference, and adding K-12 Special Education Endorsements.
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About Caldwell University
Caldwell University was chartered on August 10, 1939, in the New Jersey Legislature for Catholic women’s liberal arts education led by Mother M. Joseph Dunn. Operated by the Sisters of Saint Dominic, Caldwell started developing its 17-building campus within the Archdiocese of Newark by 1941. Thirty-five years later, Caldwell made history by starting the Garden’s State first-ever Bachelor of Fine Arts. By Fall 1986, the private, four-year ACCU member welcomed male students. In 1992, the Board of Higher Education approved Caldwell’s delivery of Master of Arts classes. Recently, Caldwell opened its well-known Center for Autism & Applied Behavior Analysis in 2011 and reached university status in 2013. Endowed for $8.5 million, Caldwell University now educates 1,603 undergrad and 603 post-grad Cougars from 23 states with 84 percent retention. Linked to 7,499 LinkedIn alumni, Caldwell has graduated Arthur Morrison, Mary Jo Codey, Bill Brennan, Beth Fowler, and others.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Caldwell the 74th best Northern university and 25th top regional value. On Niche, Caldwell has America’s 311th safest campus, 663rd best investment, and 890th most student diversity. The “College of Distinction” was placed within Times Higher Education’s top 800 overall. Money magazine noticed Caldwell University as the 648th best buy nationally. College Factual deemed Caldwell the 349th best education college and 397th top psychology program. Washington Monthly made Caldwell the 213th best Peace Corps school and 346th top research institute. In Spring 2018, Caldwell proudly accepted the CACC Community Engagement Award. PayScale estimated a mid-career median wage of $83,500 for Caldwell University alums. Caldwell’s Newark Metro was also crowned the country’s 20th best place for education on Forbes.
Caldwell University Accreditation Details
On July 6, 2015, Caldwell University officially extended its 10-year Level VI accreditation by passing the 14 standards of excellence outlined by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) under its eighth president, Dr. Nancy Blattner, who received the Rotary Club’s Sam Kent Service Above Self Award. Headquartered 98 miles south along Interstate 287 in Philadelphia, this mid-sized six-state NYC Metro accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department to ensure the optimal functioning of Caldwell’s 31 baccalaureate, 22 master’s, and seven doctoral majors. The Graduate School of Education was reaffirmed by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) through October 2020. Caldwell University also became New Jersey’s first Association for Behavioral Analysis International (ABAI) accredited institution in 2014.
Caldwell University Application Requirements
Enrolling at Caldwell University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because just 2,552 of the 4,004 Fall 2017 candidates were successful for 63 percent acceptance. Post-grad Cougars preying on the M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis must already hold an accredited baccalaureate or higher. Preference is given for relevant majors like Psychology, Special Education, and Human Services. The Combined B.A./M.A. path only unlocks for juniors with 60+ credits, including 12 in Psychology. Meeting the minimum 3.3 GPA benchmark is mandated. Only nine credits of graduate-level courses graded “B” or better can transfer. Research competence must be shown with a ten page psychology or education paper. Achieving at least a 300 composite score on the Graduate Record Exam is expected. Taking the 60-minute Miller Analogies Test would also qualify. English language learners must finish the ELS Level 112 or earn above 90 on the TOEFL iBT.
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Caldwell University enforces M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis deadlines of December 1st for Spring, April 1st for Summer, and June 1st for Fall entry. The Graduate School of Education recommends non-U.S. citizens apply a month earlier by November 1st and May 1st. Interested students create Cougar Apps accounts to submit the $50 Graduate Admission Form online. Paper copies could also be mailed beside official transcripts to 120 Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell, NJ 07006. Other requested items include the GRE/MAT scores less than five years old, two recommendations, a scholarly writing sample, and personal statement. Please inquire further at (973) 618-3544 or graduate@caldwell.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Caldwell University is billing M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis graduates $995 per credit or $2,985 per three-credit course. Annual full-time tuition equals $17,550. Student activity, parking, health services, and learning center fees add $230 each term or $460 yearly. International students pay more with a $1,725 comprehensive fee. Living expenses are estimated to cost $12,200. Therefore, total Caldwell budgets should cover $31,400 per year. Note that Combined B.A./M.A. majors are charged $32,990 during undergrad years. Continuing for the Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis has a $1,175 price by credit for $3,525 courses.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office connects 93 percent of full-time Caldwell Cougars to roaringly good assistance packages averaging $22,086 for $33.71 million overall. Graduate funds include the Alumni Remission Scholarship, ABA Master’s Scholarship, Newark Archdiocese Discount, Cohort Teacher Discount, Essex County Discount, Dominican Sister Scholarship, Atlantic Health Employee Discount, and Parochial Teacher Scholarship. Particularly, the Jane Haveron Continuing Studies Scholarship has a March 31st deadline for female graduates with minimum 3.0 GPAs. Graduate assistantships pay 80 percent of M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis tuition for 15 hours of work weekly. FAFSA applications coded 002598 determine apt Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate Plus loan amounts. Special educators sometimes use the $4,000 Federal TEACH Grant for post-bachelor’s study. New Jersey residents could claim the EOF Graduate Grant for up to $1,475 each term. External programs like the Action Behavior Center Scholarship and Autism Recovery Foundation Scholarship are recommended too.
Learn more about Caldwell University at the Department of Applied Behavior Analysis website.
