Jacksonville State University

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Applied Behavior Analysis Degree Programs at Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville State University appears in our ranking of the Top 25 Best Applied Behavior Analysis Programs.

Jacksonville State University has a goal to challenge minds in order to change lives, creating lifelong learners who understand the importance of giving back to the community, locally, regionally, nationally and globally. Students at JSU can choose from undergraduate programs in autism studies, educational psychology, school counseling and other related disciplines. A wide selection of master’s and doctoral degrees are offered by JSU in the ABA disciplines. Most programs include an optional online component, and several programs can be completed entirely over the Internet. ABA fields are some of the most dynamic and innovative disciplines studied at JSU.

When it comes to bachelor’s programs, students can choose from several residential and online options. The bachelor of science in applied behavior analysis is a four-year degree that is offered on campus. Many of the core courses are offered online, so students of the ABA bachelor’s program can take advantage of Web-based learning throughout their studies. Other bachelor’s programs related to applied behavior analysis include bachelors of science in psychology and counseling and a bachelor of arts in education. These degrees are all classroom-based, but many of the core courses can be taken online. In all, a little under half of the undergraduate courses are available online, including core courses in mathematics, English composition, humanities, and natural sciences. As an undergraduate, it is possible to complete around three or four full semesters online while enrolled in a residential program.JSU offers a large selection of master’s degrees online, and many ABA graduate programs are available online and on campus. Most of the online master’s programs are offered in the education department, including the Educational Specialist for Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Educational Specialist in School Counseling programs. JSU also offers a residential Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis, a Master of Science in Psychology for Applied Behavior Analysis and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst program.

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In 2016, JSU created the Center for Autism Studies within the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education and Professional Studies. Education majors and graduate students can choose to focus on autism studies to become qualified for careers in education and ABA. Students in any program can choose to minor in autism studies or simply enroll in one or two autism courses as electives. The need for experts in this important field is growing as more children are diagnosed with autism each year.

About Jacksonville State University

JSU was established in Jacksonville, Alabama, on February 22, 1883. It was originally known as Jacksonville State Normal School, and its founding mission was to educate teachers throughout the region of northeastern Alabama, southeastern Tennessee, and southwestern Georgia. For its first 40 years of operation, the college taught a small number of professional educators, and that number grew to over 200 students by 1929. Its name was changed to Jacksonville State Teachers College that year to more accurately reflect the purpose of the school and the changing society of that era.

For the next three decades, the college expanded by adding several new departments and academic programs, including a business school, law school, and several engineering programs. The name of the university was changed to Jacksonville State College in 1957 to match the expanded curriculum and growing student body.

Following the Civil Rights movement and the social turbulence of the early 1960s in Alabama, many regional colleges looked for ways to show support for the social transformation that was taking place in the South. In 1966, Jacksonville State College became Jacksonville State University, and it was regionally accredited to offer a full range of degree programs in many academic fields. Today, JSU offers a diverse selection of programs in various departments, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Commerce and Business Administration, the College of Education and Professional Studies, the College of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and University Library Services.

Jacksonville State University Accreditation Details

JSU is regionally accredited to award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from its physical and Web-based campuses. Regional accreditation is the most trusted form of university accreditation, and credits from JSU can easily be transferred to any other college. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is the regional accrediting body of the southern United States. The SACSCC has been federally approved to provide regional accreditation for public and private schools throughout the South.

Many departments and programs at JSU are independently accredited by specialized agencies. The School of Arts and Humanities is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The School of Business and Industry is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The School of Education is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Many other departments have multiple programs with specialized accreditation.

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Jacksonville State University Application Requirements

The acceptance rate at JSU is 53 percent, and the graduation rate for first-time students is 30 percent. Admissions at JSU are competitive, and applications are reviewed by multiple members of the faculty and administration. The application requirements are similar for undergraduate and graduate students whether they enroll in online or residential classes. Applications for freshmen students require a high school transcript or proof of a GED, and applications for transfer students must include a college transcript with at least 30 hours of cumulative credit. Applications for graduate students must be accompanied by a college transcript with information about a bachelor’s degree. All transcripts must be certified by the issuing institution, and they must contain information about GPA, class size, class ranking, and course schedule.

Tuition and Financial Aid

In-state tuition at JSU is about $7,500 per year, and out-of-state students can expect to pay around $14,700 per year in tuition costs. The price of books and living expenses can increase the total cost by around $15,000 per year. Student aid is available through the financial aid office, and low-cost public loans can be obtained by visiting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid website. In addition to subsidized and unsubsidized loans, students can apply for Pell Grants through the FAFSA website. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest while students maintain half-time enrollment status, and public loans do not need to be repaid until students drop below half-time status. Jacksonville State University offers many scholarships and work-study programs to all students.