Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) - Practicum

1. Research and Clinical Based Supervision with CSUN Tenure-Track Faculty

   This practica option provides direct supervision by MS-ABA tenure-track faculty with research labs. These positions are competitive, and students must apply and be selected by the faculty members. Meeting times and supervised experience vary based on the research laboratory (specific information provided by each MS-ABA faculty in their syllabi and supervision contract). Each intern’s performance is evaluated by tenure-track faculty. Below, is a list of our four tenure-track faculty members conducting clinical work and behavior analytic research:

   1. Faculty member: Dr. Marlesha Bell
      
      • Research & Clinical Interests: Dr. Bell’s research focuses on using the science of behavior to reduce harm and create professionals who will provide inclusive and equitable services. Potential research assistant applicants must value learning to engage in self-reflection to interrogate their own biases and engage in meaningful work with vulnerable populations (e.g., various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic statuses). Dr. Bell’s research lines include (1) teaching self-advocacy skills to young children through consent education, (2) evaluating culturally responsive service provision, supervision, and mentorship, and (3) assessing and treating severe problem behavior.
      • Setting: To be determined
      • Clients: Neurotypical and Neurodiverse populations and individuals from historically marginalized backgrounds.
   2. Faculty member: Dr. Chunying Jin
      
      • Website: https://www.behavioralhealthcsun.com
      • Research & Clinical Interests: Behavioral Health Lab is dedicated to community-based research and service that aims to improve the behavioral health of individuals by designing and delivering evidence-based, durable, and consumer-friendly interventions. My research interests include (1) assessment, treatment, and prevention of sleep problems in children and adults, (2) functional analysis and treatment of severe problem behavior in young children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, (3) prevention of challenging behavior and teaching of early life skills in school-aged children, (4) trauma-informed applications of behavior analysis and (5) Alzheimer caregiver training. Currently, the majority of our research projects are undertaken on campus or at our community partnership site, Pacoima Charter School, but we hope to expand our research-based service to families residing in the local community.
      • Setting: Off-site community partnerships (e.g., Pacoima Charter Preschool) and on campus
      • Clients: School-aged children (ages 3-12) with and without disabilities; adults including parents, caregivers, teachers, and college students
   3. Faculty member: Dr. Ellie Kazemi
      
      • Website: https://klab-csun.weebly.com
      • Research & Clinical Interests: Effective, efficient training and supervision are extremely important, particularly for professionals who provide clinical care. My lab is invested in research and community work that lead to improvements in training and supervision of staff. Most of our research is centered on examining effective training and supervision strategies (e.g., performance feedback, conflict resolution, and computer-based personalized instruction) that lead to significant behavior change. Most recently, we are interested in leveraging technology (e.g., A.I., robotics, virtual reality) for simulation-based training and to disseminate behavior analysis. Graduate and undergraduate students, as members of my lab family, are involved in all aspects of research and community collaborations. They may become involved in developing and conducting community trainings, designing simulations, and creating behavior measures. Master’s level graduates of my lab either go on for PhDs at nationally competitive programs or obtain leadership positions in behavior analytic organizations.
      • Setting: Training & Supervision Laboratory at CSUN and off-site with Community Research Partners.
      • Clients: In this lab, students provide trainings in a pyramidal model and sometimes conduct translational research. To accrue supervised experience hours, students are required to select the off-site practica option in addition to their work in lab. Therefore, this lab is only appropriate for MS-ABA students interested in pursuing doctoral training in ABA.
   4. Faculty member: Dr. Debra Berry-Malmberg
      
      • Website: https://autismclinic.wixsite.com/csun
      • Research & Clinical Interests: The Autism Research Lab focuses on developing and evaluating behavioral interventions and parent education programs to promote socio-communicative skill development of children with autism.
      • Setting: Autism Clinic at CSUN
      • Clients: Young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their caregivers.

2. Clinical Based Supervision with CSUN Faculty

   1. Faculty member: Dr. Petros Adzhyan
      
      • Setting: Pacoima Charter Elementary School
      • Clients: Children ages 3 to 11 with and without disabilities. Most are from very low income SES families. Some are in foster care.
   2. Faculty member: Brian Rice
      
      • Setting: Non-profit organization
      • Clients: Children with developmental disabilities

Download the table above displaying the differences among the options here