Four Pacific Pathways to ABA Practice
University of the Pacific appears in our ranking of the Top 25 Best Applied Behavior Analysis Programs.
Since 2013, the Gladys L. Benerd School of Education has reported a 100 percent BCBA exam pass rate for University of the Pacific post-grads completing the MA in Behavioral Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis track for intensive involvement in disability treatment. Directed by Dr. Carolynn Kohn, the 30-unit, four-semester Stockton sequence integrates a one-year apprenticeship and thesis into courses like Radical Behaviorism. For California’s K-12 Pupil Personnel Services Credential, the EdS in School Psychology begins each August to sharpen child behavioral assessment techniques. The 60-unit, NASP-approved option led by Dr. Justin Low requires year-long internships, such as the Children’s Home of Stockton, Kaiser Permanente, Cesar Chavez High, and McKinley Elementary. In 12 months, teachers can earn the California SB2042 Credential through a 32-unit MA in Special Education under Dr. Marilyn Draheim and become Autism Specialists. Chaired by Dr. Scott A. Jensen, a Corson Distinguished Teaching Award recipient, the 120-unit BS in Psychology also lays a strong foundation for registered behavior technicians.
About University of the Pacific
The University of the Pacific originated on July 10, 1851, when Methodist settlers received the 31st state’s first collegiate charter for California Wesleyan College in Santa Clara. Renamed in August, Pacific began building the West Coast’s first Medical Department in 1858. In 1871, UOP became coeducational and moved to San Jose where Bellarmine College Prep presently stands. After acquiring Napa College in 1896, President Tully Cleon Knoles moved Pacific to its current 175-acre Stockton home with Burns Tower in 1923. One year later, the McGeorge School of Law was erected in Sacramento’s Oak Park. In 1956, the Graduate School was formed to debut Master of Arts degrees. By 1970, ties to the United Methodist Church were severed for private, nondenominational NAICU education. Budgeting $259 million, the University of the Pacific now employs 818 faculty teaching 6,493 Tigers in 11 schools with dozens of clubs like the Student Association for Applied Behavior Analysis.
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The U.S. News & World Report ranked Pacific the 106th best national university, 45th top value, 68th best for vets college, and 148th top high school counselor pick. On Niche, UOP has America’s 175th best private education, 206th most diversity, 208th top faculty, and 226th most liberal academics. Times Higher Education placed the University of the Pacific 120th overall. Money magazine deemed UOP the 380th best buy for a 20-year PayScale ROI of $417,000. Forbes named Pacific 241st nationally with the 124th most impactful research. Diverse Issues in Higher Education positioned UOP 32nd for Asians and 73rd for Native Americans. Business Insider proclaimed Pacific the fifth most underrated. WalletHub also recognized the University of the Pacific for the country’s 70th best career outcomes, 296th best faculty resources, and 201st most selectivity.
University of the Pacific Accreditation Details
On June 15, 2012, the University of the Pacific passed a comprehensive evaluation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission to renew the Level VI accreditation through 2022 under its 24th president, Dr. Pamela A. Eibeck, who received the SWE Distinguished Engineering Educator Award. Based 72 miles west via Interstate 580 in Alameda, this nifty nine-territory West Coast accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to check standard compliance for UOP’s 68 bachelor’s, 19 master’s, and eight doctoral majors. Specifically, the Gladys L. Benerd School is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP) through December 2020. Since 2008, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has approved the Education Specialist degree. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) named the M.A. in Behavioral Psychology a Verified Course Sequence too.
University of the Pacific Application Requirements
Picking the University of the Pacific is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because just 8,597 of the 13,545 Fall 2017 applicants were successful for 64 percent acceptance. First-year Tigers prowling the BS in Psychology must complete a high school diploma or equivalency exam. Like California State University, UOP requires four years of English and Math. On average, freshmen present a 3.52 GPA, 1200 SAT, and 26 ACT mark. Advanced Placement exams scored 4 or higher receive credit. The Department of Psychology allows up to 64 transfer units of accredited general education courses graded at least “C.” MA in Behavioral Psychology entrants need related bachelor’s degrees with GPAs over 3.0 and applied experience. Median GRE scores are currently 153 Verbal, 150 Quantitative, and 4.0 Analytical Writing. GPA waivers are granted for individuals with 5+ years of post-baccalaureate experience. The MA in Special Education also stipulates passing CSETS scores, clean fingerprints, and negative TB tests.
The University of the Pacific has freshmen deadlines of November 19th for Early Action and January 15th for Regular Decision. Prospective BS in Psychology transfers apply until July 21st for Fall or December 1st for Spring starts. The MA in Behavioral Psychology admits Applied Behavior Analysis cohorts until February 15th yearly. Priority dates are August 1st, October 1st, and May 1st for the Benerd School’s EdS or MA entrants. Attach the $35 non-refundable fee to the U-Pacific Application or Common Application online. Have registrars mail unopened transcripts to 3601 Pacific Avenue in Stockton, CA 95211. For test results, select institutional codes 4065 (SAT), 0240 (ACT), or 2447 (GRE). Supplemental documents include the 2-3 recommendations, English proficiency verification, certification of finances, psychology résumé, essay, and California credentials. Inquire further at (209) 946-3929 or admission@pacific.edu.
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Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-2020, the University of the Pacific will charge full-time BS in Psychology majors $24,452 per term or $48,904 annually. Undergrads pay the $300 wellness fee, $274 activity fee, and $80 McCaffrey recreation fee each year. Living at the Stockton campus’ dorms like Casa Jackson adds $3,916 to $8,247. Platinum meal plans for Bon Appetit are $4,600 yearly. UOP budgets $1,971 for books, $864 for travel, and $2,853 for miscellaneous expenses. Annual bachelor’s attendance averages $68,784 on-site and $52,574 at home. The Graduate School charges full-time MA and EdS students $23,740 each semester. Studying part-time incurs $1,483 per unit. Please note graduate health insurance fees add $1,592 though.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in Knoles Hall uplifts 88 percent of UOP Tigers with $77.10 million combined for a roaringly good median offer of $25,231. University funds include the Powell Scholarship, Regent’s Scholarship, Provost’s Scholarship, Pacific Scholarship, Academic Excellence Scholarship, MESA Scholarship, Thomas J. Long School Foundation Scholarship, Barker-Knoles Scholarship, Chester Caddas Family Scholarship, Susan Samans Memorial Scholarship, and Friedberger Educational Scholarship. The Benerd Tuition Discount lowers costs to $989 per unit for continuing EdS and MA students meeting 3.0 GPAs. Cal Grant recipients can reactivate 15 months of benefits for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential. Golden State residents also pursue the Transfer Entitlement Grant, Chafee Foster Grant, and Child Development Grant. The University of the Pacific provides a 50 percent match for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Federal resources like the Pell Grant and Stafford Loan are processed with FAFSA forms coded 001329. On-campus interviews for graduate assistant jobs paying over $11/hour occur each Spring.
Find more about the University of the Pacific at the Department of Psychology website.