Applied Behavioral Science

The Department of Applied Behavioral Science trains researchers and scientist-practitioners in the discovery, translation, and application of knowledge toward solving human behavior problems of societal importance. For this, the department offers a Master's of Arts (M.A.) in Applied Behavioral Science and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Behavioral Psychology. The Department of Applied Behavioral Science (Lawrence) and the Departments of Preventive Medicine and Public Health (KU Medical Center, Kansas City and Wichita) also offer a joint Ph.D./M.P.H. degree. This joint program is the first in the nation to combine the strengths of advanced study in applied behavioral science with a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree. The Department welcomes applications from students wishing to pursue these degrees.

The ABAI accredited master's program trains highly competent scientist-practitioners in applied behavioral science. The program offers courses on the empirical and conceptual foundations of behavioral science, and its research methods, but emphasizes coursework and supervised experience in behavioral assessment, analysis, intervention, and evaluation. Its mission is to advance empirically-based solutions to problems of societal importance.

Coursework:

Appendix A contains a Master’s degree checklist for the courses you are required to take -- and the sequence in which they should be taken -- in order to earn your degree. You are required to be continuously enrolled from the time you are admitted until the time you earn your Master’s degree. The Master’s degree requires at least 30 credit hours generally numbered 700 and above taken while classified as a graduate student, including credit hours enrolled in thesis credit, ABSC 899. You are expected to be enrolled full time – 9 credit hours -- each spring and fall semester until you have completed the course requirements. The College requires that you maintain full-time enrollment in the summer as well (6 hours).

Practica:

In addition to your courses, Master’s degree students are required to complete at least two semesters of a research or intervention practicum. Speak to your advisor each semester to determine the section (course number) in which you should enroll. Most students complete their practicum requirement with their advisor, but some will complete it under the supervision of other ABS regular, adjunct, and courtesy faculty members. You should talk to your advisor about what opportunities are available and who is available to supervise your activities. 

The application materials that each candidate must submit are:

• Statement of Academic Objectives, including a clear plan for graduate research in a specific field of study
• Curriculum Vitae
• Writing Sample demonstrating independent historical research and analysis (20-25 pages maximum)
  • Submit a writing sample that best represents your scholarly abilities: The Department is interested in reviewing your well-crafted, persuasively argued sample. Such papers are often derived from an upper-level undergraduate history class in which you conducted independent research and employed both primary and secondary sources. If you have an MA in history, the writing sample should be taken from your thesis or a major paper written in a graduate seminar.
• GRE Scores, conveyed from ETS to the University of Kansas (School Code 6871)
• Official Transcript from each institution that has granted you a degree, or at which you are currently enrolled

While it is not guaranteed, the department does its best to provide funding in the form of Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) appointments to all incoming graduate students.  GTA appointments are awarded for the academic year and come with:

• a competitive academic year (9 month) salary
• a 100% tuition waiver for all courses at KU
• payment of up to 3 hours of student fees
• optional University-subsidized group health insurance 

The appointments are guaranteed based on performance for up to 3 years for M.A. students, and 6 years for students who receive both an M.A. and a Ph.D. at The University of Kansas.  GTAs in the department receive thorough training in language instruction, close mentoring, and the opportunity to teach French at a variety of levels, providing them with a strong base of teaching experience upon entering the job market. Additional information about teaching for the department is available on the Graduate Funding page of our departmental website.

Post-comprehensive students completing their dissertations are also eligible to apply for 1 of the the departmental Max Kade Dissertation Fellowships.